Weather

Normally used during the Winter months to ensure the safety of all aboard MCB Quantico, the base commander has established procedures for evaluating weather conditions to determine a delayed base opening or early base closure and how to publicize those decisions to all affected personnel. However not all commands and activities follow the base operating status, so employees need to confirm reporting instructions with their chain of command.

Upon first indication of possible inclement weather, command personnel begin monitoring weather conditions regularly to determine potential impact upon base operations. As inclement weather nears or begins, the command monitors weather reports more frequently and begins to receive regular road condition reports from aboard base and in the surrounding community. Command personnel also communicate with local civilian authorities and the federal government concerning their assessments of the weather conditions.

Based upon the type and volume of expected precipitation, other conditions and the capabilities of base equipment and personnel to keep the roads clear and safe for travel, the commander will make the decision to keep the base open, delay base opening, or close the base.

If inclement weather occurs during non-working hours, every attempt will be made to make the decision on the base’s operational status prior to 4 a.m. Notification of the Base Operating Status is broadcast via the Quantico Mass Notification System, the base Website, base Facebook page, the base Twitter page and on WTOP.

Any operational adaptation will be announced via a Base Operational Status as follows:

	CODE GREEN - The base is OPEN. Employees are expected to report to work on time. Check with your Chain of command for details.
	CODE YELLOW - The base is OPEN.   Reasonable delays for reporting to work are excused. Unscheduled leave may be authorized. Mission Essential personnel are expected to report to work. CHECK WITH YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR DETAILS. ***Will be announced on WTOP.
	CODE BLUE - The base will open at "a pre-determined time". Unscheduled leave may be authorized. Mission essential personnel are expected to report to work. CHECK WITH YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR DETAILS. ***Will be announced on WTOP.
	CODE RED - The base is CLOSED.  Only mission essential personnel are expected to report to work. CHECK WITH YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR DETAILS. ***Will be announced on WTOP.

General Notes for all conditions listed above:

Codes YELLOW, BLUE and RED WILL be announced on WTOP.

These conditions are a guideline for MCB Quantico. They will not necessarily reflect the conditions and challenges in our neighboring communities. These codes will also serve as guidance for operational irregularities other than those dictated by inclement weather. Please use common sense and sound judgment in your decision to get on the roads. Your safety is the most important factor.

During inclement weather or other destructive weather operations, families with special needs (EFMs, handicap, etc.) which may need special ⁄ additional assistance should call the MCBQ emergency maintenance at (703) 784-2072 / 2073 ⁄ 2227 for assistance. For urgent emergencies dial 911. For other non-urgent emergencies, call the PMO Desk Sergeant at (703) 784-2251 ⁄ 2252 ⁄ 2253.
 

As the heat index rises, everyone needs to pay attention to the flag conditions here on MCB Quantico and understand what they mean.

It is important to note that some of these flag conditions have extremely narrow 2-3 degree ranges.  That means that temperatures can rise from yellow to black more quickly than the flag station operator's observation interval. It is also essential to always keep in mind that extreme conditions can lead to serious health problems such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death.

* Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Index (WBGTI)

There are ten flag stations aboard MCB Quantico that indicate the current heat conditions:

                                Mainside
               
                (1) Lejeune Hall:  Front, near Command flagpole.         
                (2) MCAF:  Opposite sentry booth.     
                (3) OCS:  Brown Field, front of reviewing stand.
                (4) SNCOA:  NE corner of the parade deck at street intersection.
                (5) AWS:  Southwest end of Geiger Hall.
                (6) Hq&SvcBn:  Between Bldgs. 2006 and 2000.
               
                                Westside
               
                (7) TBS:  The parade deck in front of Ramer Hall.
                (8) WTBn:  600 yard firing line, Range 3.
                (9) Camp Upshur:  Beside the water tower, Bldg. 26147.
                (10) Range Control:  Front of Range Control building.

Personnel who are interested in receiving heat index and destructive weather reports can sign up for email and/or voice notification.

For Mainside heat index and destructive weather reports, the POC can be reached at (703) 784-2468.

For Westside heat index reports, the POC can be reached at (703) 784-5502.

	(Green Flag): Heavy exercises, for activities of unacclimatized personnel will be conducted with caution and under constant supervision.
	(Yellow Flag): Strenuous exercises, such as marching at standard cadence, will be suspended for unacclimatized troops in their first 2 or 3 weeks.  Outdoor classes in the sun are to be avoided.
	(Red Flag): All physical training will be halted for those troops who have not become thoroughly acclimatized by at least 12 weeks of living and working in the area.  Those troops who are thoroughly acclimatized may carry on limited activity not to exceed 6 hours per day.
	(Black Flag): All strenuous non-essential outdoor physical activity will be halted for all units. Essential activities are defined as those activities associated with scheduled exercises or other major training evolutions where the disruption would cause undue burden on personnel or resources, be excessively expensive, or significantly reduce a unit's combat readiness. Essential outdoor physical activity will be conducted at a level that is commensurate with personnel acclimatization as determined by the unit's commanding officer in coordination with the unit's medical officer or medical personnel. All efforts should be made to reschedule activities during cooler periods of the day.

The above activity limitations are recommendations only.

references:

1. MARINE CORPS BASE ORDER 6200.1A (HEAT CASUALTY PREVENTION PROGRAM - Quantico 

 

Base Operating Status color codes giving Base closure and personnel reporting status are announced as determined by Base Operations.

Official updates to the Base Operating Status (normally during the winter months) are disseminated via:

• the MCB Quantico Hotline at: 703-784-3638
   
• the MCB Quantico Mass Notification System

Changes in Base operating status are passed to WTOP.

Additional Base sources of information are:

• MCB Quantico Facebook page