Keesler announces limited services, closures

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  • By 030812
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Keesler has been preparing for Hurricane Isaac since Friday afternoon with the base's top priority being the safety of its personnel.

"We're doing everything we can to ensure that our people are safe and that we are good stewards of Air Force resources," said Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81st Training Wing commander. "We're providing our people with the most current storm predictions as well as critical preparation information, just like we have throughout the hurricane season."

There is no plan to evacuate Keesler at this time. Voluntary evacuation of dependents only is authorized. Non-essential personnel will be released at 3 p.m. today to remain in the local area and prepare for the storm. Once released, all personnel will remain on telephone standby.

Normal base operations will be suspended and the base will be closed beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

Limited services and closures for Tuesday and Wednesday are as follows:

· No training will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday. Training operations will resume at normal hours Aug. 30. The Training Group will use Friday as a training makeup day.

· All dormitory residents and temporary duty students in lodging will remain within their dormitories or lodging room throughout the storm. Bus transportation will be provided from dormitory and lodging to the dining facilities.

· Base clinics are open today, but Tuesday and Wednesday all urgent and emergent needs should go through the Emergency Room. The Emergency Room is open 24/7 and will not close. Normal clinic appointments and surgeries are postponed Tuesday and Wednesday.

· The pharmacy is open today until 6 p.m. Tuesday, it will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday, it will be closed. Anticipate normal operations to resume 7 a.m. Thursday. For administrative questions, the Medical Control Center at 228-376-6457/6458. For medical questions, call the Emergency Room at 228-376-4025.

· The Pass Road and White Avenue gates will remain open. The Meadows gate and the commercial vehicle gate will be closed beginning Monday at 6 p.m. and all day Tuesday and Wednesday. Normal gate operation will resume 6 a.m. Thursday. No large commercial vehicle deliveries will be allowed on base Tuesday and Wednesday and the visitor's center will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

· The commissary will be open until 7 p.m. today, closed Tuesday and Wednesday and resume normal hours Friday. The shoppette will be open until 8 p.m. today, closed Tuesday and Wednesday and resume normal hours Thursday. The exchange will be open until 9 p.m. today, closed Tuesday and Wednesday and resume normal hours Thursday.

All 81st Force Support Squadron activities including the child development center, youth center and fitness centers will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. However, dining facilities will remain open Tuesday 7:30-9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 -5:30 p.m. and Wednesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 4:30-6:30 p.m. and midnight to 1 a.m. Normal hours will resume Thursday.

As a reminder, power down, unplug and cover with plastic all communications equipment (computers, printers, copiers, fax, etc.). On lower levels move equipment off the floor, if possible, and return all official documents (records) to filing cabinets and desk drawers. Back up electronic files and secure in safe location. Ensure your facilities are storm-ready before departing.

All personnel are expected to be back at work Thursday morning at normal duty hours and the base will be open.

Keesler has also been preparing the base through evacuation of aircraft, hardening of several base facilities with sandbags and boarding up windows, ensuring that all base personnel and dependents are accounted for and re-stocking items for hurricane disaster kits.

"I'm confident that our level of preparation will lead to the base safely making it through the storm," Spacy said.

For the most up to date information on base preparations, limited services and closures, please visit www.keesler.af.mil and www.facebook.com/keeslerafb.