10th CES gets Academy ready for snow, releases snow-route map Published Oct. 1, 2015 10th Civil Engineer Squadron U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Colorado stands a good chance of getting snow earlier than expected this year due to El Nino weather pattern currently affecting the West Coast, according to a National Weather Service report released Oct. 1. As temperatures begin to drop across the Centennial State, snow removal crews from the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron are prepping the Air Force Academy for the expected late-year snowfall and icy road conditions. Due to the safety concerns posed by snow and hazardous roads, senior officials at the Academy may authorize staff members to arrive late or leave work early, or in extreme cases, close the base. These events are listed on the Academy's Facebook page and covered by local radio and TV news stations. Academy residents working on other military bases in the region can call 333-2800 for an automated message concerning delayed reporting and current road conditions. Some staff members are considered mission essential by their commanders and may need to report to the Academy before the roads are cleared or the delayed reporting time expires. Staff members not considered mission essential should not report to work until the delayed reporting time expires and the roads are cleared. The Main Exchange, Commissary and the AAFES Gas Station will open after the delayed reporting time expires. The Child Development Center will open at its normal time to accommodate mission-essential workers. Snow Routes The 10th CES has published a map specifying the roads drivers should take during snowfall or hazardous road conditions. Roads marked red on the map are emergency access roads and must be open every day. Secondary routes are marked blue on the map and do not receive the same attention as emergency access roads by snow removal crews. Emergency access roads are listed as priority 1 and cleared first. Secondary routes are considered priority 2 by 10th CES officials. When closed, the snow gates on priority 2 roads should not be accessed for safety reasons. Drivers should stay on snow routes during and immediately after every snow fall. Priority 3 roads are coded yellow and cleared last. Winter driving tips · Service your vehicle before winter and drive with snow-rated tires. · Drive according to weather conditions. · Drive at least 100 feet behind snow removal equipment. Never pass a snow plow. · Joggers and cyclists are not allowed on the roadways during or immediately after a snow fall to allow crews to clear the roads. · Stalled vehicles should be moved from the road as quickly as possible. · Place an emergency kit in your vehicle containing: a shovel, jumper cables, tow and tire chains, a bag of salt or cat litter, tool kit, flashlight and batteries, reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth, a compass, First Aid kit, exterior windshield cleaner, cellphone and charger, ice scraper and snow brush, wooden matches in a waterproof container, scissors and string or cord and nonperishable and high-energy foods such as unsalted canned nuts, dried fruits and hard candy. Visit www.osha.gov/Publications/SafeDriving.pdf or www.beready.af.mil for more information.