Preparing for winter

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jeremy L. Mosier
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- --  As the cold air and precipitation move into Mountain Home Air Force Base it's time to start taking the proper course of action to ensure Airmen and their houses are ready for winter.

Whether you are staying home for the holidays or traveling, Balfour Beatty Communities and the housing office offer a variety of services for those on base to get through the colder months.

"We have a contractor who comes in to clear the sidewalks that run parallel to the house and will also take care of clearing the driveway," said Amanda Snoey-Holladay, Balfour Beatty Communities community manager at MHAFB.

The contractor will also lay down salt on the drive and sidewalk, but Airmen are responsible for the walkways that lead up to the front door.

"We also have Ice-Melt available for the residents at the Self-Help Store on base," said Snoey-Holladay. "All the resident has to do is bring a container."

The Self-Help Store also has a few shovels that can be loaned out to individuals who don't have one, she explained.

Another beneficial service offered to Airmen who are planning to leave for an extended period of time is the Winter Watchmen program. It's available to residents who are going to be gone for 72 hours or more throughout the winter months.

"We ask that you come by and complete the paperwork notifying us that you will be gone from the home," said Snoey-Holladay. "You're also responsible for naming a person who will be in charge while you're gone."

The Watchmen residents will receive a trouble light, which has a temperature monitor on it and is placed in the front window. Once the temperature falls below the designated temperature, the light will illuminate and notify the residence specialist.

"Another program is the Deployed Spouse Program, with this program all that is needed to sign-up is a set of orders and a properly filled out family retention form," explained Snoey-Holladay. "When enrolled in this program the spouse of the active-duty member will be able to call in a work order and be able to get routine maintenance done on their home."

The base housing office and Balfour Beatty have put together many different programs to better serve those living on MHAFB.

"Here at the housing office we go the extra mile," said Snoey-Holladay.

For more information about these services, call (208) 828-2781 or visit the Self-Help Store, located at 4401 Paisley St. at the Maintenance Building.