WASHINGTON – Nearing the predicted conclusion of Winter Storm Titan, the commander of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) has released a situation report to JBAB personnel, including mission partners and residents.
Navy Capt. Anthony T. Calandra, reported that JBAB’s Public Works Department (PWD) continues its snow fighting efforts, supplemented by contracted crews, to ensure the safety of JBAB personnel and residents.
“Our team is working diligently to keep the roads passable, but even where they are plowing, it is still slippery. Once again, Mother Nature has sent us a challenge,” Calandra said.
JBAB Public Works Officer, Air Force Lt. Col. Kristen Bakotic, commented that the salt shortage affecting much of the country this winter has made it difficult to have as much salt on hand as desired.
“We currently have a supply to help get us through this storm, however we will have to use it sparingly/smartly over the next 36 hours of precipitation and freezing temperatures,” she said.
Additional salt is on order and is expected to arrive later in the week, Bakotic said. Bags of salt are already staged at buildings for use by Building and Facility mangers to use around buildings. Additional bags are available for pick up from PWD until 6 p.m. today and beginning at 6 a.m. tomorrow.
Roadway snow and ice removal responsibility in the public-private housing areas, managed by Lincoln Military Housing and Hunt Properties, rest with those entities, not JBAB.
Common area sidewalks, such as those along non-residential roadways and between buildings, are cleared by JBAB’s PWD and its contractors.
Calandra strongly urges all personnel to use caution while walking or driving anyplace on base, today and during the remainder of the week, until the snow and ice are totally cleared.
“Don’t forget ice falling from building overhands and trees as melting begins in the next day or two. Today and tomorrow, remember to use caution on roadways, walkways and in parking lots, as snow covers the ice beneath,” Calandra reminded.
Most of our Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) services are closed today, including the Fitness Centers. “We were unable to man Fitness Center One due to the timing of the storm today, but it is our intention to have Fitness Center One open during this type of situation, as we have in the past and for the future,” Calandra stated.
The Defense Commissary Agency’s Commissary at JBAB and the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Exchange are also closed today. The AAFES Express fuel pumps are open and operating 24/7 as normal.
“The Furnari Dinning Facility is open for normal operations,” Calandra reported.
Calandra stated that JBAB is planning for normal operations to resume Tuesday, subject to the OPM guidance for a delayed opening or liberal leave, etc.
“Monitor JBAB’s Twitter and Facebook feeds and local media outlets for OPM’s decision. As usual, regardless of the OPM decision, emergency/essential personnel are expected to report to duty as scheduled. Personnel normally authorized to telework, need to contact their supervisor if OPM allows unscheduled teleworking. Except in unusual circumstances and when approved by a supervisor, personnel not normally authorized to telework are ineligible for unscheduled telework,” Calandra concluded.