The Tinker Commander's Action Line is a communications channel established for personnel to bring problems and observations to the commander's attention.

The Action Line serves as an avenue for effecting positive change across Tinker Air Force Base and has led to improvements in safety, working conditions, quality of life and a better understanding of base programs and processes.

When inquiries or comments are forwarded, a direct response should be received in a timely manner.

While we hope individuals will seek a more timely resolution of issues through their facility management or unit command channels, an individual may visit the Commander's Action Line tab on Tinker's internal home page to submit an action line. Members of the Tinker community who don't have access to the internal home page and who wish to submit an Action Line query, please send an email with as much detail as possible to tinker.commandersactionline@us.af.mil with "Action Line" in the subject line.

PUBLISHED ACTION LINE ARCHIVE:

September 12, 2014 issue - Uncomfortable Working Conditions
Q:The heat and air conditioning in our building goes out quite frequently. When it does, the temperatures get into the 80's and our fans only blow hot air around. The Air Force sends out heat warnings to help us protect our health from the outside summer heat, but what about when that summer heat is in our office? Is there a rule as to what the temperature can get to before employees should be released to telework from an alternate work location? We have laptops and have signed telework letters. Our division is located in a different building
with air conditioning that rarely goes out. Our management contacts them to get their approval
for us to telework from an alternate work location, but they don't want to approve it and won't
bother to come to our building to check on us or see for themselves what the office environment is like. They want everyone to take leave, which then gives them no work production versus letting us telework and continue our work production. Meanwhile, we are sweating and sometimes feeling ill. Several employees have health conditions that are greatly affected by hot temperatures and it can cause serious health issues for them. Does our immediate supervisor have the authority to make a determination whether or not the heat is detrimental to the health of their employees and allow us to telework under these
environmental conditions? Do the employees with health conditions need to get a letter from
their doctor?

A: Thank you, this is an excellent question and gives me an opportunity to explain the
process for non-industrial work areas. Several years ago, the 72nd Air Base Wing and OC-ALC developed a Tinker Instruction (TAFBI 48-101) outlining the procedures to be followed during periods of potentially unsafe heat conditions. The instruction describes the accommodations organizations should follow for non-air conditioned industrial areas and administrative areas experiencing problems with the cooling system. As the Heat Condition Warnings are raised, employees should be directed to follow the heat stress prevention techniques which include increased water consumption and hydration/cooling breaks as needed. In an office environment where air conditioning is no longer working, hydration and cool breaks may not adequately alleviate the exposure, management has several possible options such as relocating personnel to buildings where the climate controls are functioning,
allowing employees to take leave and authorizing telework. The determination of which procedure to implement should always be based on the over-all conditions, estimated
repair time, disruption to mission requirements and the impact to personnel. In these situations, the immediate supervisor would need to coordinate with higher level management
before implementing one of more of these options. As for your concern for employees
with health conditions, it is always important for employees to provide supervision with information on serious medical conditions, not just those that could be potentially aggravated
by environmental surroundings. While cooling breaks may be a sufficient accommodation for the majority of the personnel impacted, it may be inadequate for employees with existing
health issues. Having this type of information prior to the event should allow managers to make more employee specific decisions. Hopefully this response answers some of your questions and provides you with a reference for future use. Keep in mind, in these types of
events, there is no one-size fits all.

September 5, 2014 issue - No Hot Water
Q:We have not had hot water in the men's restroom since last spring. It was fixed for one day now we have no hot water again. Can someone please find out what is going on with the hot water in the restroom?

A: Thank you for submitting your question regarding the lack of hot water in the men's
bathroom in Bldg. 2210. The domestic hot water for that facility is generated by a heat exchange process that uses steam to heat the water. This system includes numerous control valves, sensors and other components to produce and distribute the water to points of use within the facility. The domestic hot water system in the facility is over 20 years old and
has lost some reliability and efficiency due to age/normal wear and tear. The hot water service was restored in July, but apparently failed abruptly thereafter. Once technicians were notified and responded, they conducted a detailed inspection and identified several malfunctioning flow control valves, sensors, and steam components. Some defective components have since been replaced, but others have been ordered and will be scheduled for installation shortly after they are received. Although the hot water service has been restored, a Work Order (AF Form 332, #56008) has been submitted to evaluate the overall condition of the domestic hot water and steam system to determine an appropriate course of action that will ensure a reliable source of hot water for Bldg. 2210 going forward. While the Action Line is an open communication channel to bring problems and observations to the
commander's attention, consulting with your facility manager or contacting the Civil Engineering Directorate's Customer Service Unit at 734-3117 when problems are encountered with facilities and facility infrastructures is always a good approach in
reporting problems, requesting a status of work, or simply requesting information in support of your facility maintenance and repair concerns. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention and giving us the opportunity to provide feedback.

August 15, 2014 issue - Radar Detectors
Q:have a question on radar detectors. I know you cannot use them on base, and why would anybody need to anyway when the speed limit is 25-30 mph most everywhere. Some gate guards require you to unplug your radar detector even if you have turned it off as you should have. Is there a regulation saying they have to physcialy be unplugged. There is no difference
between turning the power off and unplugging, except unplugging wears out the equipment. If
there is a regulation could you please let me know what it is. There are several people in my
office with the same question. I know the gate guards are just doing their job but there is no reason to ruin our personal equipment if we don't have to. Thanks.

A:Air Force Manual 31-116 (AIR FORCE MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC SUPERVISION)
covers motor vehicle operation while on an Air Force installation. In addition, Tinker AFB has a supplement to this manual that contains guidance for radar detectors. Tinker sup. 31-116, paragraph 4.1.4.1. states: "Use of Radar/Laser Detection Devices. The use of radar/laser detection devices to indicate the presence of speed recording instruments, broadcast a jamming signal, or to transmit erroneous speeds, is prohibited. The item must be unplugged from its power source at the device before entering the military installation." This supplement also contains many other rules of the road that may differ from outside the installation. This instruction is a good tool to reference in order to prevent any unnecessary violations on our roadways. Thank you for helping keep Tinker safe!

August 8, 2014 issue - Fundraiser Rules
Q: Who is responsible for making sure that the fundraiser request forms are filled out and the rules are followed? I have had several organizations show up and set their food tables up and start selling; three different ones today. One had a request from Bldg. 3001, but not Bldg. 9001. Also they are not removing the fliers from the doors and around the building. Things are getting out of control.

A:Thank you for bringing this to our attention. While we do our best to control the amount
of fundraisers on base, we often do not know when organizations just set up and conduct a fundraiser event on their own. The contact office for fundraisers is the 72nd Force Support Squadron Resource Management office. Fundraiser requests are submitted to 72nd FSS/FSR, Debra Kirby. After approval from our base food contractor, Aramark and the Judge Advocate's legal office, the requests are forwarded to the 72nd FSS director for final approval. Private organizations are only allowed two fundraisers per quarter and no government resources such as copiers, printers or government e-mail can be used. Fliers should only be posted on "Unofficial Bulletin Boards" and removed directly following the event. The governing directives that cover the fundraiser procedures are AFI 34-223, Private
Organizations Program, and AFI 36-3101, Fundraising in the Government. The fundraiser organization should have a certificate of approval posted at the site, so if it is not available,
you can call 72nd FSS/FSR at 734-5128 to report the fundraiser. Fundraisers are not allowed during the Combined Federal Campaign and the Air Force Assistance Fund Campaign, unless the proceeds are designated for those two campaigns. Thank you again for your
concern.