Base announces procedures for hazardous weather closures, delays

With the return of winter weather and its often attendant hazardous-driving conditions, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base officials have announced procedures for notification of weather-related base closure, delayed openings and early releases to ensure the safety of the base populace.

If a decision for early release is made during normal duty hours, it is transmitted to all base organizations via phone calls, e-mail, text messaging and pop-up messages. Decisions regarding delayed arrival or base closure will be transmitted via the WPAFB AtHoc Emergency Mass Notification System, website announcement, radio and television.

The most accurate weather delay information will always be located on the Wright-Patterson website and snowline. Please check these systems first at www wpafb.af.mil and 937-656-SNOW (7669). It is important to note that information on closures, delays and early releases carried by media outlets, whether broadcast or online, will vary in its content as determined by the media outlet itself.

Wright-Patt Medical Center & inclement weather

Regarding the Wright-Patterson Medical Center, 88th Medical Group officials remind patients and visitors in the event of a base closure due to inclement weather the Medical Group will follow the 88th Air Base Wing guidance. If the 88 ABW determines an early release or delayed reporting for base operations, then those scheduled outpatient appointments and services – such as lab, pharmacy and diagnostic imaging, may not be available during the closure or delay.

The Emergency Department and inpatient services will remain open 24 hours-a-day for emergency and inpatient care.

For up-to-date information during inclement weather, patients and staff should also call the Wright-Patterson AFB inclement weather line at (937) 656-SNOW (7669).

For up-to-date information, patients and staff should also call the Wright-Patterson AFB snow line at 937-656-SNOW (7669).

Base personnel are highly encouraged to sign up to receive email and text message notifications via the WPAFB AtHoc Emergency Mass Notification System via the AtHoc client (purple globe) in your systems tray (arrow on the bottom right side of the desktop toolbar). To review your profile and update your emergency contact information refer to the WPAFB Self Service Slides (https://cs2.eis.af.mil/sites/21248/AtHoc/Forms/AllItems.aspx).

When possible, installation public affairs personnel will post updates on the Wright-Patterson Facebook page.

Standard public notices of base closures and/or delays will state one of the following messages:

“Wright-Patterson AFB is closed. Employees are excused from duty today, except those personnel who are designated base-essential. Base-essential employees must use Gate(s) __, __ and __ (as provided by 88 ABW/CC or designated representative). Only emergency medical services are available at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center.”

“Wright-Patterson AFB employees are on a __ (i.e., I, 2, 3 or 4) hour delay from normal reporting time this morning, except those personnel who are designated base-essential. Base­essential employees must use Gate(s) __, __ and _ (as provided by 88 AB W/CC or designated representative). All other gates will be delayed in opening by __ (i.e., I, 2, 3 or 4) hours. Only emergency medical services are available at the Wright- Patterson Medical Center until staff are able to safely report within delayed reporting guidance.”

“Wright-Patterson AFB employees are authorized an early departure beginning at ____ local today, except those personnel who are designated base-essential. Commanders will use a disciplined staggered release to reduce congestion. Please use all outbound traffic lanes when exiting the gates. Wright- Patterson Medical Center may curtail non-emergency services in order to allow for the safe departure of staff.”

Military and/or civilian base essential personnel are defined as “personnel required to maintain the minimum base operating functions.” Some examples include, but are not limited to, designated Medical Group personnel, firefighters, Security Forces, dining facility and snow removal teams.

Organizational commanders/directors must determine and assign base-essential status to only those personnel critical to performing the mission during periods of hazardous weather conditions. Those individuals should be notified in advance of their designation as base-essential. Commanders, directors, and supervisors must emphasize the importance of strict adherence to reporting instructions and times.

Military members and civilians with questions on base operating procedures, or their personal reporting status, should speak with their supervisor or unit commander.

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