MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- When the weather turns bad, everyone aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico has a responsibility to help return operations to normal.
Some of the primary obstacles that snowplows face, for example, are vehicles parked along base roads, said Pete Streng, director of the base Operations Division, noting that cars and trucks shouldn’t be parked roadside when winter weather is expected.
“If you can get the cars off the streets, that helps facilitate clearing,” he said.
To the extent possible, base tenants and activities should consolidate in one location the vehicles of employees who are away on travel, leaving other parking lots clear for plowing, he said. In base housing, vehicles should be parked in garages.
It is especially important not to park on snow emergency routes when winter weather is a possibility, Streng said. “If they’re parking on emergency routes, there’s a risk we can’t get emergency vehicles like fire and rescue trucks through.”
The emergency routes, all of which are marked with signs, include Russell Road, Barnett Avenue, Fuller Road, John Quick Road, Purvis Road, Bauer Road, Neville Road, Catlin Avenue and others on the main side of base. On the west side of base, MCB-1, 2, 3 and 4 are all emergency routes, as is Gilbert Road in Camp Barrett.
A full list of the snow emergency routes is included in Marine Corps Base Order 11210.1D, Snow Emergency Operations.
In the event of snow or ice, each base activity and tenant command is responsible for clearing the sidewalks, stairs and entrances around its buildings. Each building should have an adequate supply of salt, de-icer and shovels, which can be purchased at the ServMart on Zeilin Road.
“We know we’re going to have snow — we just don’t know how much and when,” Streng said, adding that a little preparation and cooperation can make a big difference in Quantico’s ability to deal with meteorological adversity.
Streng also reminded that each family should keep a three-day supply of nonperishable foods, medicine and other necessities at home in case of a serious storm.
— Writer: mdicicco@quanticosentryonline.com