WASHINGTON – Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling has already begun work to mitigate the impact of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to bring severe weather to the Washington area later tonight and into Wednesday.
JBAB, which lies along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, is in a low lying area. JBAB commander, Navy Capt. Anthony T. Calandra, said, “We have prepositioned sand bags to cover those historically flood prone areas and have secured roads and parking facilities in the flood zone.”
Additionally, concerned for the safety and well-being of JBAB employees and other personnel, Calandra ordered that only emergency essential personnel report for work. “The weather forecast indicates that this will be a very serious situation. All but emergency essential personnel at JBAB should stay in their homes; off the roads and allow emergency crews to do their jobs.”
The JBAB Emergency Operations Center will be opened on Monday morning and staffed with emergency essential personnel, led by Calandra, Air Force Col. Michael Saunders, JBAB vice commander and JBAB Emergency Manager Sigmund Evans and his staff.
The EOC will coordinate emergency response and storm recovery efforts, as well as maintain communications with the Naval District Washington Regional Operations Center and other emergency command centers, as needed.
JBAB Public Works, Military and Family Support Services, Operations Department (including security services and emergency management elements) and the JBAB-based Central Battalion of the NDW Fire and Emergency Services Department are among the departments that have personnel dedicated to mitigating, responding to and recovering from the storm and its effects.
JBAB Public Affairs will provide news and information, as available, on www.Facebook.com/jointbase and www.Twitter.com/jointbase, as well as respond to posts to its Facebook timeline/wall or Twitter site, which include #jbabdc in the message.
Reports of conditions or situations at JBAB via Facebook and Twittter are requested and encouraged.
Call 202-433-3333 for any emergency situation at JBAB, do not use social media to summon emergency help.
Stories or information that can be considered for inclusion in news or information posts about JBAB residents or personnel working at JBAB but living elsewhere are also encouraged and requested.
Information about the status of the base and federal offices in the D.C. area will be announced after 5 p.m., Monday.