By Scott Prater
Mountaineer staff
Editor’s note: This was updated as of Wednesday. For the most up-to-date information visit https://www.carson.army.mil/, and follow Facebook @USArmyFortCarson.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — As the Fort Carson community rolls into summer, post leaders combined their weekly COVID-19 response town hall update May 20, 2020, with the quarterly housing town hall.
Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson was joined by several organization leaders, who provided information and updates on housing related topics and issues.
McFarlane opened by announcing that COVID-19 posture restrictions will remain in place for the immediate future.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to reopening military installations,” he said. “Any easing of restrictions on post will be done very deliberately and carefully, as we take into account the rate of transmission we are seeing on this post with our population and align with the state of Colorado and what they see across the state and in Colorado Springs.”
The commanding general explained that community members will be living with the virus for some time.
“Our theme is to adapt and understand the threat that is around us all and allow us to live safely and healthy while using the COVID-19 measures we continue to talk about,” he said. “Whether its wearing masks and distancing, or continuing to wash hands and use sanitizer, these are all critically important. We expect to continue to see positive cases as we move down the road as restrictions are eased across the state and the city. That’s why ensuring that you protect yourself will protect those around you.”
As Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced the reopening of restaurants around the state, experts believe that many coronavirus transmissions occur from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic people.
“Assume everyone you come in contact with could have the virus,” McFarlane said. “Assume everyone you come in contact with who is not in your safety bubble is positive. Your safety bubble is where you work, eat, sleep and who you closely socialize with, your individual actions matter.”
He also announced that a decision on opening community pools, gyms and other on-post facilities will be delayed until June 1 at the earliest, with those facilities limiting personnel to active duty only.
“This decision is in the best interest of the Soldiers, civilians and Families,” McFarlane said. “We must remain healthy in order to meet mission requirements, our first and foremost consideration.”
During this continued posture, Fort Carson has some units going into quarantine or restriction of movement status, namely the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, which is preparing for a U.S. Central Command deployment, and the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade, which is headed for the Joint Readiness Training Center soon.
McFarlane also welcomed new leaders to the post, Col. Kevin R. Bass, commander, Evans Army Community Hospital and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, senior enlisted leader, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson.
Without skipping a beat, leaders transitioned the town hall from COVID-19 response updates to topics concerning housing on post.
Col. Brian K. Wortinger, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson, began by informing residents that the Army’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) has been increased for most ranks on the installation. The increase, he said, will help Fort Carson’s housing partner, Balfour Beatty Communities, replace some of the aging housing on post with newer homes in the future.
Moving on to internet service, Lawrence Simmons, Exchange general manager for the Colorado Springs area, announced that the post’s internet contractor, TDS, will provide enhanced upgrades to its service starting in June 2020.
“TDS had agreed to upgrade two circuits to high-capacity to enhance the experience for our customers,” Simmons said. “Following the upgrade, TDS will be in position to offer exclusive promotional packages with its internet and cable services and that will happen shortly after the circuit upgrade has taken place. Once we get a hard date of when TDS is prepared to flip the switch on the upgrade, we will get the word out to the community through installation public affairs and Exchange social media sites.”
Fort Carson Family Homes Community Manager Christy McGrath then provided updates on several topics, including the recent infestation of Miller Moths, how the summer surge of permanent change of station (PCS) moves effects housing, routine work orders and maintenance crew training and guidance, among others.
“All of our maintenance techs have been educated on CDC guidance for social distancing and proper wear of personal protective equipment (PPE),” McGrath said as she announced that routine work orders would begin in earnest. While all emergency and urgent work orders continued, we began conducting routine work orders May 18, 2020.”
Maintenance techs will also ask residents a series of wellness screening questions prior to entering a home, will maintain 6-feet distancing from residents and clean their work areas before and after completing work.
McGrath also provided updates on Radon testing of homes, demolition and replacement of neighborhood playgrounds and repairs of parking lots and pot holes. She reiterated that residents with urgent or emergency work orders can call 719-579-1605 for prompt response, while routine work orders should be filed through the residents’ portal.
Lt. Col. Ryan Cagle, commander, 759th Military Police Battalion and director of Emergency Services then highlighted MP patrols.
“Responding to reports of speeding in neighborhoods, we conducted 10 surveys of vehicle speeds during an eight-month span,” he said. “These surveys showed that most drivers do abide by the speed limit in housing. Our average speed in neighborhoods on post was 14.8 miles per hour. We understand that not all drivers abide by the speed limit, but the survey results helped us conduct patrols at the right times in the right places. We have also increased walking patrols in housing areas to increase MP presence.”
Lt. Col. Edward B. Schoenheit, division engineer, 4th Inf. Div., explained that unit sponsors can now help with most issues that residents report and urged residents to contact their unit sponsor, who can then relay information to Fort Carson Family Homes and command teams for systemic issues in neighborhoods.
Wortinger also responded to community member questions during the more than hour-long town hall. He urged residents to be good neighbors in regards to many issues brought up by residents, including trash cans and trash flying through neighborhoods on windy days, barking dogs, pet waste, parking and maintenance.
Director of Public Works Hal Alguire responded to a Soldier’s question about when air conditioning would be turned on in barracks buildings.
“Fort Carson public works actually transitioned from heating to cooling earlier this month,” Alguire said. “We have turned on air conditioning in all buildings, so if anyone is experiencing hot temperatures in their barracks, they can call our 24-7 work-order desk at 719-526-5345 and/or contact their facility manager.”
Wortinger then capped the town hall by mentioning that anyone can file a work order for any issue they believe needs to be fixed on post.
“If there is a pot hole on your street or a street light that’s out, call the 24-7 line at 719-526-5345,” he said. “It helps us to get extra scouts out there.”
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.29.2020 11:11 |
| Story ID: | 371015 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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