What’s the status? Winter weather reporting reference Published Dec. 4, 2009 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- During this time of year, there is an ever-present threat of severe winter weather striking the Greater Oklahoma City area. Tinker officials continually monitor the weather situation and, if warranted, issue the appropriate change to Tinker's operating status. It is important to remember two key points about the base operating status. The first is that the operating status remains "open" unless officially changed. This means base personnel should normally anticipate the base being open and conducting its vital national defense missions. People should plan on reporting to duty as scheduled. The second is that official decisions on the operating status of Tinker AFB are normally made very early each duty day - between 3 and 4 a.m. This means that people should check various reporting outlets such as the Tinker Website and Straight Talk Line to confirm the operating status for that duty day and shift. They should not presume that the operating status one day or shift is the same as next. During inclement weather, personnel need to check the weather status each day. Changes in base operating status are announced several ways. The first source updated is the Tinker Straight Talk line at 734-1900. This automated system can accept up to 62 simultaneous phone calls. The next source is the Tinker Public Web page. People can get detailed base operating status information on the home page at www.tinker.af.mil. Operating status information is shown on the upper-right corner of the homepage. At the same time this information is being posted to the public web site, Public Affairs personnel are also contacting local emergency broadcast system radio and television stations. The stations are: KFOR Channel 4, KOCO Channel 5, KWTV Channel 9 and KOKH Channel 25. The AM radio station is KTOK 1000 and FM radio stations are KKNG 93.3, KXY 96.1, KATT 100.5 or KMGL 104.1. Please note that KOKH Channel 25 has very limited options for what can be posted on its automated scroll, so anything other than "closed" or "two-hour delay" will not show on that channel. Changes to the operating status are also posted on the Tinker internal Web site and the Commander's Access Channel 20 during duty hours and as soon as possible during non-duty hours. There are basically four categories of base operating status. These are: OPEN -- which means base activities occur as normal. LATE REPORTING -- which means Tinker functions will occur as scheduled, but employees who are non-weather emergency essential personnel may arrive up to two hours late without being penalized with loss of pay or charge to leave. Employees are expected to leave for work the same time as they normally do. Delayed reporting allows supervisors to accommodate legitimate delays caused by driving conditions. EARLY DISMISSAL/RELEASE -- means personnel may be dismissed early on a staggered basis. CLOSED -- means personnel not deemed "weather emergency essential personnel" are excused from duty without loss of pay or charge to leave. See the attached chart for additional information. In addition Liberal Leave may be authorized. LIBERAL LEAVE -- means Tinker AFB functions will open on time, but employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" may take may take leave without prior approval of their supervisors. Employees must inform their supervisors. If an employee fails to report for work and has not informed the supervisor of his or her plans to take leave, the organization may charge the employee absence without leave. "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. Safety is the top priority for Tinker officials and all employees. Changes in operating status are made when severe weather dictates a broad impact on driving conditions. Ultimately it is the responsibility of all Tinker employees to evaluate the weather conditions where they live and how they travel to and from work. Individual safety concerns beyond those addressed by the installation operating status should be raised with immediate supervisors. All personnel should refrain from calling agencies such as base operations, the Tinker Command Post or security forces for weather or operating status information. This information may not cover every individual or shop due to mission needs. If in doubt call your immediate supervisor for instructions. Frequently asked reporting questions Q1. When two-hour late reporting is authorized, does that mean I don't have to leave home until two hours later? A1. No! Late reporting means that you have until that time to safely arrive for work. The intent of "Late Reporting" is to allow employees time to safely arrive at work during inclement weather. Employees should leave home at the same time they would normally go to work? Q2. What about shift workers? How will I know if I am to report? A2. Tinker officials will make every effort to include shift information in the base operating announcements. Please note, the only places you can find shift information is on the public Web, the Straight Talk Line or your chain of command. Local TV and radio stations will not provide that type of detail in their severe weather coverage. Q3. What can I do to prepare? A3. All personnel should keep severe weather information such as this article and attached chart for handy reference. You might want to bookmark the Tinker public Web page for easy access. When the forecast is for inclement weather, discuss the possibility of a change in status with your supervisor the day before so you have the same expectations for when you should report for duty under the various severe weather categories. Supervisors and commanders should discuss the potential impact of severe weather, including the operating status of the installation, on a regular basis. They should also make sure unit recall rosters are current in case cybernet problems prohibit the Public Affairs office from being able to update the public Web. Commanders and supervisors may consider using the recall system to supplement the public Web, Straight Talk Line and emergency broadcast channel announcements. You should also ensure your vehicle is properly equipped to travel in inclement weather and that you have the proper clothing in case you are stranded or delayed en route. Q4. How do I know if I am considered weather emergency essential personnel? A4. Weather emergency essential personnel and normal mission emergency essential personnel are not always the same. You should check with your supervisor in advance to determine if you are considered weather emergency essential personnel. Q5. I am a contractor, what do I do when the operating status changes. A5. Contracting personnel should check with their contract managers for reporting information. As with other employees, it is highly recommended that contractors discuss the various reporting options with their employees before severe weather strikes. Q6. The gate I normally use isn't a 24-hour gate. Will it be open during late reporting? A6. The Public Affairs office will coordinate with the 72nd Security Forces Squadron for changes in gate hours related to late reporting. If the gate you normally use isn't a 24-hour gate and it isn't listed in the base operating status announcements, you should presume that the gate will not be open beyond the regular hours and proceed to a 24-hour gate instead. The 24-hour gates on Tinker are the Eaker Gate, the Lancer Gate and the Gott Gate. Q7. What do I do if I can't find the specific information I need on the public Web page or the Straight Talk Line? A7. The Public Affairs office will post all available information on the Tinker public Web and the Straight Talk Line as soon as possible. Not every employee situation will be covered by the guidance so they should contact their immediate supervisors for guidance. Be advised, immediate supervisors may also need to obtain guidance from their chain of command so be patient and remember safety is the primary objective. Weather status: Open: What announcement means: Base functions will open on time, and employees are expected to report for work as scheduled. Additional guidance Organizations should be as flexible as possible in approving annual leave or LWOP for employees who face emergency situations or other hardships (e.g., when schools/child care centers open late or are closed). Closed: What announcement means: Employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" are excused from duty without loss of pay or charge to leave. "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. Additional guidance: Workdays on which Tinker AFB is closed are non-workdays for leave purposes. Employees who are on approved leave before the closure must be granted excused absence. This does not apply to employees on LWOP, military leave, suspension or in a nonpay status. Employees on alternative work schedules (AWS) are not entitled to another AWS day off "in lieu of" the workday on which the agency is closed. Liberal Leave: What announcement means: Tinker AFB functions will open on time, but employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" may take leave without prior approval of their supervisors. "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. Additional guidance Employees must inform their supervisors if they plan to take annual leave or LWOP. If an employee fails to report for work and has not informed the supervisor of his or her plans to take leave, the organization may charge the employee absence without leave. Late Reporting: What announcement means: Tinker AFB functions will open on time, but employees not designated as "weather emergency essential personnel" should adjust their normal home departure time consistent with the announcement. Employees who arrive late for work within the specified time will be excused without loss of pay or charge to leave. Additional guidance: "Weather emergency essential personnel" are expected to report for work on time. This announcement may affect only one shift at a time with policy changes and announcements for each shift. It may or may not be combined with "Liberal Leave". Early Dismissal: What announcement means: When an emergency situation occurs during normal work hours, 72nd Air Base Wing commander may determine that Tinker AFB functions are operating under an "Early Dismissal" policy. When this announcement is made, employees should be dismissed relative to their normal departure times from work. Additional guidance: Example: If a two-hour "Early Dismissal" is announced, workers who normally leave their duty stations at 3:30 p.m. would be authorized to leave at 1:30 p.m.