JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Even under ideal conditions drivers can have a difficult time navigating roadways and avoiding traffic to arrive at their work centers on time. Many on-base members will commute using Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike but these roadways can get very hectic during adverse winter weather. When adverse weather happens, members must know installation procedures to safety arrive at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Base officials have three options when winter weather makes driving conditions hazardous for drivers:
Mission essential reporting: Only mission, weather, or emergency-essential personnel, as determined by mission partners, are required to report to duty. Mission partners must specifically identify who they determine as mission essential in advance. This includes Phase A personnel for base closures and Phase A and B personnel for limited operations. Supervisors are responsible for determining and clarifying the categories for their personnel. Phases A and B personnel must inform their on-base child development center by Dec. 1 if child care will be needed during adverse weather. Phases A and B are defined as the following:
Phase A: Operations exist when conditions warrant closing the base to all but essential operations. Positions designated as Weather Essential A, are those whom the supervisor determines as necessary to maintain required essential base services, activities, and schedules; and those needed to restore the base to limited operations. Personnel designated as Weather Essential A are expected to be at work regardless of any dismissal authorization due to weather or other reason.
Phase B: Operations exist when conditions permit only limited operations. Positions designated as Weather Essential B are those whom the supervisor determines as necessary to maintain and support limited operations.
Delayed reporting: All non-essential personnel must report for duty as soon as conditions permit. This includes Phase C personnel. Personnel should exercise caution when driving to the installation. JB MDL expected reporting time will be specified, but is normally 10 a.m. Mission essential personnel must report at their normally scheduled times. Joint base personnel can expect to receive the information as early as possible, but decisions will normally be made by 5 a.m.
Phase C: All personnel not designated Weather Essential A or B.
Early release: Mission partners are responsible for managing early release within their organization when the joint base commander initiates this action. The goal is to stagger departure times to alleviate congestion and to allow those who live farthest from the base to leave first.
When the joint base commander decides to initiate any of these actions, the Joint Base Public Affairs office and Command Post are notified and disseminate the information and specific reporting procedures through all available means of communication (i.e., base informational lines, local radio and TV stations, public website, Facebook, Twitter, marquees, e-mail and SharePoint (accessible from government computers only).
The joint base's informational lines (609) 754-BASE (2273) and (732) 323-SNOW (7669) are also updated with current information regarding weather delays, closures or early releases.
"These options give us flexibility to ensure our servicemembers, civilians and contractors can safely commute to the joint base," said Col. Gina Grosso, joint base commander. "New Jersey is no stranger to snowy and icy conditions. When conditions are severe enough to warrant changes to normal reporting times and no option has been directed, people must coordinate with their supervisors and unit commanders to modify arrival times and work schedules."
If the base goes into mission-essential reporting, dining facilities and lodging will continue to operate to the maximum extent possible to meet the needs of customers. Mission essential personnel will be directed to the Child Development Center open for operations during adverse weather events. However, Army Air Force Exchange Services, the Navy Exchange and commissary facilities may close. Call AAFES at (609) 723-6100, the commissary at (609) 754-2153, and NEX at (732) 323-2439 for operating hours. Public Affairs will attempt to report on AAFES, NEX and commissary schedules as appropriate.
A related concern is driving under snowy and icy conditions.
"People operating vehicles on base during adverse weather need to slow down and drive with respect to the conditions of the roadways," said Grosso. "Speed, following too closely, and decreased visibility are major problems to safe driving. Nothing is more important than the safety of our forces and families."
Road condition advisories for JB MDL are:
Green: Roads are clear and dry. Drivers will comply with normal vehicle operating procedures and posted speed limits.
Amber: The roads may be slippery due to snow, ice, or reduced visibility. Operators will exercise caution and must reduce speeds by 5 mph below the posted speed.
Red: The roads may be hazardous due to snow, ice, or reduced visibility. Units will minimize vehicle dispatches and will only operate mission essential vehicles. All drivers must exercise extreme caution and must reduce speeds by 10 mph below the posted speed limit.
Black: The road conditions are extremely hazardous due to ice, snow, or reduced visibility. Vehicle dispatching is prohibited unless specifically directed by command authority. Only operate emergency response vehicles. Drivers of emergency response vehicles will exercise extreme caution and all drivers must reduce speeds by 15 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
Road conditions will be posted at all the gates and will be displayed on the base marquees. For more information, visit the joint base public website at www.jointbasemdl.af.mil.