Editor’s note: This article is the second in a series describing one NCI at Frederick parent’s perspective on special needs parenting.
Many people living and working in the Washington, D.C., metro area have learned to speak the special language of acronyms, whether they are referring to the federal government, political groups, or other organizations.
The Fort Detrick gate hours will change beginning Friday, April 10.
The new hours were recently provided by the U.S. Army Garrison (USAG), Fort Detrick. NCI will continue to work with the USAG to address questions that may arise. Note that no changes have been made for facilities outside of the Fort Detrick campus (e.g., the Advanced Technology Research Facility).
By Jenna Seiss and Kylie Tomlin, Guest Writers, and Ashley DeVine, Staff Writer
Maryland residents face the possibility of dangerous winter weather each year—from icy conditions to frigid temperatures. You may be familiar with the different types of winter weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), but do you know what each alert means?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Preparedness and Response website provides information on the different types of winter weather alerts.
As of Jan. 5, all visitors to Fort Detrick are required to undergo a National Crime Information Center background check prior to entering base. The background checks are conducted at Old Farm Gate. The new access procedures may cause delays at all Fort Detrick gates, but especially at Old Farm Gate.
Access requirements have not changed for employees and personnel with a federal/NIH PIV card. Other types of identification badges are no longer acceptable.
As winter weather approaches, take time to review the delayed opening, early dismissal, and closure procedures for NCI at Frederick on the facility’s inclement weather page.
To find out the operating status of NCI at Frederick in the event of inclement weather, call the recorded weather line at 301-619-7611, or check the Fort Detrick Facebook and Twitter pages. For complete information, consult Policy & Procedure No. 105: Delayed Opening/Closing or Early Dismissal of NCI at Frederick Personnel.
Take a Hike Day – September 19
Occupational Health Services and the R&W Club teamed up again to hold Take a Hike Day on September 19. About 45 employees walked or jogged the 1.3-mile course around Fort Detrick during their lunch hours. The event is designed to encourage employees to engage in physical activity, according to Sarah Hooper, RN, manager of OHS. Sports pouch kits that included a water bottle, sunscreen, and an exercise band were given out as prizes to those employees who correctly answered walking trivia questions. The next Take a Hike Day will be held in the spring.
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series describing one NCI at Frederick parent’s perspective on special needs parenting.
By Melissa Porter, Staff Writer
My husband and I find calling ourselves “special needs parents” difficult. Yes, we do have a child who has autism, and yes, we approach each day differently, but I have never thought of that as special needs parenting.
Since the first outbreak of Ebola in western Africa and the subsequent cases in the United States, a lot of information has been circulating about the virus. To keep NCI at Frederick employees informed, the Poster staff has compiled the following list of reputable websites that provide accurate and up-to-date information about Ebola:
Global
Summer months carry the threat of severe storms and tornados in our area. Take a few moments to consider how well you are prepared in the event of a tornado warning.
The time to prepare for a tornado is before it happens. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides information on how to prepare and what to do in the event of a tornado. Take a few moments to read the important safety information FEMA has assembled: http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes.
Sign Up for Text Alerts from Frederick County
You can also sign up for text alerts to your cell phone from Frederick County at http://www.frederickcountymd.gov/ALERT.
By Carolynne Keenan, Contributing Writer
Kevin Zecher, a maintenance mechanic in Facilities Maintenance and Engineering, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., hasn’t missed a double-red cell donation at a blood drive at NCI at Frederick in four years.
He marks the time by his first granddaughter’s birth—that’s when he first decided to donate more than whole blood.
