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When winter weather strikes on an early weekday morning, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart community members don’t need to be in the dark on cancellations and delays.
By 6 a.m. — and throughout the day in case of early releases — several venues are in place that provide information on garrison cancellations and delays. These include:
• the garrison website, www.stuttgart.army.mil, under the Weather link at the top of the homepage. (The site also has links to a five-day forecast and a chart explaining the road condition colors),
• the American Forces Network on the radio (102.3 FM and 1143 AM) and the AFN Atlantic television station (off-post channel 15), and,
• the Weather and Road Condition Hotline at 431-3744/civ.
07031-15-3744.
The AFN website, www.afneurope.net, also has links that cover road conditions for all garrisons.
The decision to cancel or close operations is made by the garrison commander, after he is informed of the current road conditions by the director of emergency services, based on input from military police patrols.
“Anytime the weather is going to affect the ability to safely operate vehicles, the garrison will take a hard look at the need to reduce operations or close facilities,” said Benjamin Loney, director for the USAG Stuttgart Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.
Community members should keep in mind that only roads on installations and the main routes between installations — not every road — are patrolled for road conditions determination.
USAG Stuttgart Directorate of Emergency Services officials say that 5 a.m. is the point of no return: at that time, a decision is made regarding buses and installation office closures or delays. After that, if the weather worsens, subsequent announcements will be made through all means available (AFN, USAG Stuttgart website, hot line, e-mail, etc.) to keep the community informed.
DES officials remind the community that two-hour work delays are designed to give everyone time to clear their vehicle and make their commute safely. Accidents often occur when, instead of using the extra time, employees and service members leave home two hours later, rush to clean their vehicle and then drive too fast on icy roads.
All announcements regarding Soldier and employee reporting instructions are based on the garrison commander’s decision and apply only to garrison employees, service members and support activities. Those working for a tenant unit or agency, such as U.S. Africa Command, should become familiar with their unit/agency notification process.
A plan is also in place for families when school is cancelled but parents must work. “Child, Youth and School Services is going to open,” Loney said.
In case of extreme weather, when most garrison offices are closed, a Child Development Center will open for emergency personnel to be able to drop off their children, he added. In fact, Loney said, the most prevalent safety hazard occurs when drivers do not give themselves extra time to drive in winter weather.
“Everyone should give themselves sufficient time to safely travel, regardless of the road conditions,” he said. “If your street was not cleared, call your boss to say you’re going to be late. Don’t drive fast to be somewhere on time — leave earlier.”
