UPDATE 2: Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) officials begin power restoration
DATE: March 15, 2022 9:36:42 AM CDT
UPDATE 1: Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) conducts post-wide power outage exercise
FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — The power outage has begun. Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) is experiencing a post-wide power outage as part of the Energy Resiliency Readiness Exercise. The exercise is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 15.
This exercise is a DoD directed exercise to test installation emergency and standby energy generation systems, critical infrastructure and equipment to inform senior leaders of what infrastructure is required to support critical missions on the installation.
This full-scale exercise cut electrical power to nearly the entire installation. The power outage will last at least eight hours, not to exceed 12 hours. Most on-post activities are non-operational at this time.
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center and Robert Gray Army Airfield are not affected by this exercise power outage. Troop medical clinics, however, will not be open.
Listen in here to the Garrison Commander’s exercise podcast for details on the DOD directed Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) ERRE exercise.
DATE: March 14, 2022 3:20:42 PM CDT
VIDEO UPDATE: Video message from Col. Chad Foster, Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) Garrison commander, on the exercise.
Services Closed/Open
As of March 14, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions:
ERRE is a DoD directed exercise to test installation emergency and standby energy generation systems, critical infrastructure and equipment to inform senior leaders of what infrastructure is required to support critical missions on the installation. Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) will conduct its ERRE on March 15, 2022.
AAFES
Shoppettes – Closed
Q. Will main exchange remain open on 15 March 2022?
A. No, unfortunately not. The Exchange will open for normal hours the following day.
Q. Will the gas stations be open?
No, unfortunately not.
Commissary
Q. Are the Commissaries open on 15 March 2022?
A. No, unfortunately not. The commissaries will also participate in the exercise and will not be open that day. The commissaries will open for normal hours the following day.
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center
A. During the exercise, CRDAMC’s main hospital will have power and will be open for emergency and inpatient services. However, we anticipate phone systems and computer networks will not be available. All clinics on post, including dental, will be closed. Off-post clinics will be open. Please make arrangements to pick-up prescriptions before or after the exercise, as all pharmacies will be closed during the event. Thank you for your understanding.
Q. Will CRDAMC be open?
A. Yes, CRDAMC (main hospital only) will be open.
Q. Are the Troop Medical Centers going to be open?
A. Unfortunately not, however the main hospital (CRDAMC) and Collier Health Clinic (West Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos)) will be open and available to assist with your medical needs.
Public Works
Q. Who do I call if I have questions during the Power Outage?
A. Call the Emergency Family Assistance Center (EFAC) at (254) 288-7570 or (866) 836-2751.
Q. Are we going to lose water?
A. No, we do not anticipate losing water. The installation will continue to provide consumable water.
Q. When will my electric power be restored?
A. Power should be restored between 8 – 12 hours.
Q. Who do I call after the ERRE is complete, power is restored and I still do not have power?
A. Call the DPW Work Reception Desk at (254) 287-2113.
Q. I keep calling the DPW work order # and the line is busy, what can I do?
A. They are experiencing a large volume of calls, please be patient and next available operator will take your call.
Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) Family Housing
Q. Will the power outage include family housing?
A. Yes, all 12 villages, including Liberty Village, will be without power.
Q. Who is going to pay for my spoiled food?
A. If you keep your refrigerator / freezers closed you should not experience any spoilage. However, check with your renters insurance for policy coverage as Housing will not provide reimbursement for spoiled food given the advance notice. Contact the Army Legal Claims Office for further assistance.
Q. Is there anything I can do to reduce the chance of damage to my property?
A. Just as in the case of power outages due to storm, there is slight risk to sensitive electronic devices when power is reestablished. We recommend unplugging all sensitive electronic devices and plugging them back in after power is restored.
Network Enterprise Center
Q. Will the phone lines work?
A. We anticipate disruptions to the phone system. Cell phones are usually more reliable during power outage than analog (land-line) phones and the Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) phones.
Child & Youth Services (CYS)
Q. Are the CYS facilities going to be open?
A. No, All CYS facilities and programming (including camps) will be closed from Monday 14 March 2022 to Wednesday 16 March 2022. DFWMR has taken measures to inform Family members in advance that all CYS facilities will be closed for those days.
Emergency Service
Q. If I call 911, will it work?
A. Yes.
Q. Will traffic lights be out?
A. Yes, however at major intersections Police units will direct traffic otherwise ensure you follow standard four way stop rules.
Q. Will units have to post guards at their arms rooms and SCIFs (alarmed facilities)?
A. Yes, while power is out to the facility the sensitive areas must be under an armed unit guard.
Q. Will shelter operations be provided?
A. No, but we do have the capability of setting up a shelter if the need arises. Our Public Affairs team and units will disseminate information to the installation if shelter operations are established.
Training Enabler Support
Q. Will the ranges still operate?
A. Yes, at a limited capability. Units will not be able to use automated target systems requiring power.
Q. Will the Mission Training Center be open?
A. Yes
Dining Facilities
Q. What DFAC will be open?
A. Yes, some DFACs will be open. West Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) DFACs will have normal operations. All other DFACs will provide Unitized Group Ration, A and MREs. Please coordinate with your unit First Sergeant for specifics.
Others
Q. Can I take admin leave?
A. Please consult with your Supervisor.
Q. Will the banks be open?
A. No, unfortunately not. The banks will not be open that day. The banks will open for normal hours the following day. We encourage Family members conduct banking transaction at off post banks (1st National Bank of Texas). Members of Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) National Bank have the capability of banking at any 1st National Bank.
Q. Will the food inspection facility be open?
A. Yes, however operations will be limited by available generated power.
Q. What are the impacts to on post Schools?
A. We foresee little since this is spring break week and kids are not in school. We have communicated with KISD and CTC on the exercise and they will take necessary measures if needed.
Legal Claims Office:
(254) 287-2899
Hours: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Web Site: http://www.hood.army.mil/corps.sja.aspx
Email: usarmy.hood.iii-corps.mbx.sja-claims@mail.mil
Purpose:
In mid-March, Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) will conduct an Energy Resilience Readiness Exercise in order to test the post’s emergency systems and allow the gathering of data on the installation’s energy infrastructure.
The exercise is planned for March 15-18, but Tuesday, March 15, is the date Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) officials want the community to remember. On that day, a full-scale ERRE will effectively cut electrical power to nearly the entire installation, starting at 8 a.m. The power outage will last at least eight hours, not to exceed 12 hours. Neither Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center nor Robert Gray Army Airfield will be effected by this exercise/power outage.
In the coming weeks leading up to the exercise, Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) officials will provide information vital for the safety and security of the Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) community in order to prepare for the power outage, and to mitigate any issues arising from the loss of electricity during the exercise.
Duration:
Planned as a 8 to 12-hour exercise, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (CST) March 15, 2022. Facilitates evaluation of back-up generator re-fueling plan is planned not to exceed 12 hours.
Impact:
All Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos) facilities will have their power turned off for a minimum of eight hours per FORSCOM AFOP-EN 200395. All facilities will be tested except the Carl R. Darnall Medical Center and the Joint use Robert Grey Army Airport and its supportive facilities such as air traffic control and the commercial air traffic.
Medical needs:
Families with Exceptional Family Members (EFMP) who require power for their medical equipment, should be sure to identify your needs to the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) located in the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Bldg. 36065, 1st Floor in Clinic 1. Santa Fe Ave., Fort Hood (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas, 76544.
Facilities Phone Book:
What to when your power goes out
- Use flashlights rather than candles for light to minimize risk of fire.
- Turn off the electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
- Water purification systems may not be functioning when the power goes out, so water may be unsafe to use. Drink and use water that has been bottled, boiled or treated with iodine tablets and a filtration system.
- Do not open the freezer or refrigerator too much. A full freezer should keep food for 48 hours.
- Pack dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, refrigerated medicines and other items that can quickly spoil in a cooler surrounded by ice to extend their usability.
- If the power goes out in extreme heat:
- Stay hydrated, drinking a glass of water every 15–20 minutes.
- Keep the air circulating by opening doors and windows.
- Be aware of the possibility for a heat-related injury.
- If the power goes out in extreme cold:
- Wear several layers of warm clothing.
- Keep moving to stay warm.
- Be aware of the possibility of hypothermia, which happens when one’s body temperature falls below 95˚F.
