DWMO program to navigate Fort Leonard Wood through hazardous weather

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Fort Leonard Wood has a program in place to prepare and respond to destructive weather incidents with minimal impact on the installation. Called Destructive Weather Mitigation Operations, or DWMO, the program’s purpose is to get the installation back to normal operations as quickly as possible with minimal impacts to training and the workforce. “The DWMO program is important because it lets the community know how they are going to be notified and what we are doing to get (the installation) back to normal operations,” said Timothy Mann, Installation Operations Center chief with Fort Leonard Wood’s Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. “It also allows them to prepare their families and themselves to stay safe for such events.” DPTMS Installation Emergency Manager Mathew Mertz said informing the Fort Leonard Wood community enables residents and employees to prepare for and remain safe during destructive weather events, such as snow and ice. “When informed, the community is able to take appropriate actions: obtain necessary resources if they are unable to leave their homes; know where warming shelters are located due to loss of power; allow additional time for their daily commute or telework if road conditions are too hazardous to travel safely and stay off the roads during road recovery and clearing operations,” Mertz said. According to Mann, DWMO is a team effort between many on-post organizations including meteorologists at Forney Airfield, the Department of Public Works, Balfour Beatty, the Directorate of Emergency Services, Range Control and DPTMS. Mertz said the meteorologists at Forney Airfield monitor the weather 24/7 to provide the community with real-time weather changes and impacts to the installation. “The meteorologists specialize in forecasting for Fort Leonard Wood, whereas the National Weather Service focuses on area weather,” Mertz said. “This information is essential for commanders to understand and plan for potential weather impacts to their family members, service members and their training mission.” According to Mertz, there are many ways for the Fort Leonard Wood community to receive weather related information and warnings. “Hazardous weather notifications are provided to the Fort Leonard Wood community via ALERT!, giant voice speakers, Public Affairs notifications using social media and local radio stations,” Mertz said. “Common Access Card holders, their family members, long-term contractors, private organizations and tenants on the installation can also receive notifications via the ALERT! Mass Warning Notifications System.” Mann said the ALERT! MWNS allows notifications to be sent through text, computer pop-ups, telephonically and email to everyone on the installation. “It is important to keep your phone numbers and email addresses up to date and instructions for setting up ALERT! Notifications can be found on Fort Leonard Wood’s Weather and Hazardous Conditions page,” Mann said. Missourians can also utilize the Missouri Department of Transportation’s https://traveler.modot.org/map/ to view current road conditions within the state. In addition to the average annual snowfall of 8 to 24 inches, MoDOT officials say freezing rain and ice can also have a significant impact on travel. According to Mann, motorists should prepare for winter weather by ensuring their vehicles have been maintained and take appropriate actions while driving on snowy or icy roads. “Ensure your vehicle has a winter weather kit in it,” Mann said. “Clear your vehicle of snow and ice, allow extra time for travel, reduce speed, increase distance between vehicles and avoid sudden breaking or accelerating.” Mertz agrees and adds that 4-wheel drive vehicles do not operate any better than any other vehicles on ice covered roads. Mann points out that it is the time of year when a lot of wildlife is on the roadways, especially during early mornings and evenings. He also warned of other dangerous conditions motorists might encounter during inclement weather. “Other hazards during hazardous weather are fallen trees and branches or downed power lines,” Mann said. “Be aware of your surroundings and take it slow and easy.”

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