TO: All Agency Heads and Key Postal Service Officials, Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Area
FROM: Anne Lewandowski, Chair, Federal Executive Board of Minnesota
SUBJECT: FEB Emergency and Weather Warning Policy for Federal Agency Non-Emergency Employees
The following policy is the latest revision of the previous Federal Executive Board (FEB) policy regarding notifying the Federal Community of emergencies including terrorism activities and/or potentially hazardous weather situations. ALL PREVIOUS POLICIES ARE VOID. This statement is an effort to clearly define the roles of the Federal Executive Board and individual agencies to responding to emergencies including hazardous weather and man-made situations.
The FEB will serve as a central point for gathering accurate information and disseminating it to agencies regarding emergency situations including potentially hazardous weather conditions in the Twin Cities metro area. We will do this by consulting with relevant Federal, State and Local Governmental agencies. We will then communicate this information via the FEB website, FEB email and other internal communications and media sources depending on circumstances and time of the emergency or onset of hazardous conditions.
Emergency Situations may include:
o Local or Regional U.S. Dept of Homeland Security Advisory System – Severe (Red)
o Widespread power outages affecting Federal government installations
o Other emergency situations, terrorism and man-made disasters
o Pandemic influenza outbreak or other widespread public health emergencies
Hazardous weather conditions may include:
o Deep snow with capability for prolonged blocking of traffic
o Intense icing conditions on highways or streets
o Treacherous winds or continuing high velocity gusts
o Floods
o Tornado Warnings or extensive post-Tornado damage
Once informed of this information, agencies will be responsible for invoking their own emergency/hazardous weather policies for their Non-Emergency Federal Personnel. Decisions such as whether to dismiss or not dismiss Non-Emergency Federal Employees remain within an individual agency’s discretion.
The best way to check on the status of any FEB Emergency and/or Weather Warning is to check the FEB Website www.doi.gov/febtc . Select and click on the snowman on the opening webpage to check if any warning is in force for Non-Emergency Employees. Another means to check on the status of a warning is to call the FEB Weatherline at (612) 713-7333. DO NOT CALL ANY OTHER FEB TELEPHONE NUMBER AS THE MESSAGE WILL ONLY BE LEFT ON THE WEATHERLINE (612) 713-7333. If internet/telephone service is disrupted, all agencies and employees should listen to WCCO-AM Radio Station 830 (AM) for our message. These procedures apply to morning or daytime warnings.
We request that all of your Non-Emergency Federal Employees are fully informed as to your agency's emergency and hazardous weather policy on a timely basis.
The message broadcast is the following: "The Federal Executive Board has been advised that (weather conditions/the current emergency situations) are such that all Non-Emergency Federal Employees in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area should follow their agency's policy on (reporting to work/early dismissal)."
Should you have any further questions regarding the FEB's Emergency/Hazardous Weather Warning Policy, please call the FEB Office at (612) 713-7200.
US Department of Homeland Security Guidance for Federal Department and Agencies on Terror Threat Conditions
[Click Here]