Fairchild's winter driving procedures in place Published Jan. 22, 2014 By Scott King 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- During winter months, when snow and ice conditions are forecast for the base and surrounding areas, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing command post staff initiates the "Road Condition Recording" process. They contact the 92nd Security Forces Squadron and receive their emergency response condition for the base. The 92nd SFS utilizes four different Response Condition Actions. Condition Green is when roadways are clear and dry. All normal driving rules and speed limits apply. Condition Yellow is when ice or snow is collecting on the roads. Drivers need to limit travel and reduce speed according to the severity of the road conditions. Base leadership should consider utilizing traction devices on tires when necessary or available. Condition Red is when roads are impassable due to heavy snow, ice or limited visibility. No vehicle movement should take place with the exception of responses to actual emergencies or suspected or possible injuries or life threatening situations. Emergency responses will be at minimum speeds and traction devices will be placed on tires. Condition Black is called when roads are impassable to all traffic and no response is possible. The command post also monitors the Washington State Department of Transportation Website and records their road condition listing for Spokane-area roads as well as the numerous WSDOT traffic cameras to determine any real-time hazardous road conditions as they develop. The site also lists travel alerts based on locations selected for analysis. Another source they track is the forecast provided by the 92nd Operations Support Squadron weather flight. They provide updated forecasts for the base and the greater Spokane region. The command post also reviews the school closures listing provided on the Northeast Washington Educational Service District 101 website. It tracks all schools across the state by district, if they are subscribers, and can provide reports to local media sources. Lastly, they present all the collected data to the 92nd Mission Support Group commander at approximately 4:30 a.m. every morning. He evaluates the conditions and, if conditions warrant delayed reporting, advises the wing commander on appropriate reporting instructions. The wing commander then chooses one of three options to be recorded when people dial 247-5100. Option 1 is for normal road conditions and will read: Roads are passable (day, month, time). Everyone report to duty on time. Option 2 is for hazardous road conditions when the commander wants delayed reporting and will read: Roads are hazardous (day, month, time). Key and essential personnel report for duty on time. All others report up to (number) hours late. Option 3 is for very hazardous road conditions when the commander wants key personnel to report for duty and all others to stay home. It will read: Roads are extremely hazardous (day, month, time). Key and essential personnel report for duty on time. All others stay home. People can also get updated reporting procedures on the Fairchild Air Force Base Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FairchildAFB and follow the base on Twitter: @TeamFairchild.
