Belvoir ready, planning for Mother Nature's wintry side

As October drew to a close, residents in the northeast experienced a taste of Mother Nature's fury - with certain parts of upstate New York and northern New Jersey reporting as much as a foot of snow. Other areas saw heavy rains and hail storms hit the region.
Whether that happens anywhere in Virginia this early in the season remains to be seen, but if it does, those living and working at Fort Belvoir can rest easy that their best interests are in capable hands.

According to Don Dees, chief of information strategies, the installation has a long-standing process of updating the public on inclement weather. Through its main Web site, in addition to a 24-hour hotline, Dees said information is updated continuously and even remotely so the community has what it needs to start, or end its day at the office.

"In the case of bad weather, people can be anxious in seeking information. Where they are living could be entirely different than
what's going on here on post," Dees said. "That's why it's very important that information be timely for them to make a decision on whether they're going into work or not."

With the help of its Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, which tracks weather through its 24-hour operations center, as well as assistance from the National Weather Service, Dees said the process is already in motion by the time Installation Commander Col. Jerry Blixt decides its time to close the installation or not.

Tim Maples, an operations specialist with DPTMS, said additional measures include coordinating with its weather station at Davison Army Airfield and receiving updates on road conditions from the military police that are out patrolling the installation.

In cases of extreme weather resulting in a significant loss of power for residents, Maples added the installation would then coordinate relief with the Fairfax County Emergency Services Division and look to open emergency shelters on post where a back-up generator can be used. Locations would include the Barden Education Center, Specker Field House and Wells Field House.

Besides the Web site and telephone hotline, Dees encourages any uniformed or civilian employee to check with their immediate supervisor as to what their status is for work.

Updates regarding Fort Belvoir's status during inclement weather can be found online at www.belvoir.army.mil or by calling 703-805-3030.

The installation also has agreements with several radio and regional television stations that will announce any changes in Fort Belvoir's operational status. Those are: Television: NBC News 4; ABC News 7/8; WUSA 9; FOX 5; Radio: WTOP 103.5 FM; WFLS 93.3 FM; WHUR 96.3 FM; WMAL 630 AM; WAGE 1200 AM; WFVA 1230 AM.

Questions related to Fort Belvoir Elementary School should be directed to the Fairfax County School District, Dees said.