Snow storm’s unsung heroes Published Feb. 11, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Staff Writer TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker's road crews were not alone in their battle against Mother Nature. Throughout the Tinker campus, dozens of unsung heroes donated their efforts and time to ensure the base operated like normal. As the Feb. 1 blizzard assailed Tinker, personnel at Balfour Beatty, Tinker Support Services Joint Venture plant operations, and Vanwey Dining Facility worked long shifts with little hope of being relieved before Mother Nature had done her worst. "Not only did we have emergency response professionals working exhausting 12-hour shifts executing the mission, we also had some unsung heroes," said Col. Bob LaBrutta, 72nd Air Base Wing and installation commander. "Our dining facility workers slept overnight in the facility just to ensure they were available to serve food to our Airmen. Our plant operators worked through the storm without relief to keep our boiler plants on-line and to maintain steam pressure in the buildings to keep them from freezing. To say that I'm proud of these professionals is a complete understatement; I'm inspired to be on their team!" Several Dale Rogers Training Center employees arrived at Vanwey Dining Facility prior to the blizzard to ensure meals were served and nine personnel stayed onsite through Wednesday. From midnight Jan. 31 to lunchtime Feb. 2, Dale Rogers' staff served nearly 1,250 meals. "I think our people with and without disabilities look at this situation as their way to serve and support our troops, as they are very mission driven," said Jerry Weddington, Dale Rogers' assistant director. Earl Key, plant operations manager for TSS/JV, who is responsible for the operation of large boiler plants on base, which provide steam and in turn heat, said roughly half of his staff, roughly 40 operators, worked 16 hours - a double shift. In addition to their usual tasks, personnel were also working emergency repairs. At Balfour Beatty, crews worked around the clock as well, keeping streets clear for emergency vehicles, and driveways cleaned for residents, but like other units faced challenges. "This blizzard was hard-hitting for everyone; we had approximately one-third of our team on site 24/7 and we set up cots with bedding for our landscaping company who also had crews here 24/7," said Patti Osburn, community manager for Balfour Beatty Communities' AMC West. "We appreciate the cooperation of our residents as they kept their vehicles off the streets so we could keep the plowing going; they were awesome through all this."