CO’s Direct Line
13 June 2008
The June 5th Feedback Live was so successful that some of the questions couldn’t be covered in the allotted time, so we are going to devote this Direct Line to answering them. Please keep sending the questions via email or phone and I will do my best to answer them.
Additionally, has someone in Housing, the Exchange or Commissary provided you Great Service? Are you excited about a base sponsored program or service? Feedback Live is the perfect opportunity to share with the community about your positive experience. Feedback Live is held on the first Thursday of each month, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. To call in live on the show, please dial 624-4265 or 095-56-4265.
1. Would it be possible for Housing to issue residents manual dial (battery or 110/220V) emergency radios? The residents would have to sign for the radio as part of the inventory and return it or account for it when checking out of Housing.
Answer: Commander Naval Installation Regulations and Operation Prepare material states emergency preparation is everyone's personal responsibility from sponsor to dependent. NASSIG stationed personnel are encouraged to purchase Emergency battery operated radios, due to the frequent power outages and the ability to receive emergency notification information. This especially applies to those personnel living off base due to the complexity of receiving emergency updates. The least expensive option to date has been through the American Red Cross Office for under $25. However, the radios can be purchased at buyer discretion from any source. Specifically addressing the question can housing provide radios, the Emergency Management office requested funding in FY09 for radios for all tenant commands for use during an emergency as one of several means to receive updates. If additional funding is received then the Housing Office can manage the issuance of radios, similar to the AFN decoders, however at present housing is not currently authorized to purchase radios.
2. Why can't non-U.S. citizen dependants get jobs on base that is saved for dependants? My dependant is an Italian citizen with US permanent residence status and command sponsored (she is not dual citizen), and because of this we are told that she is not able to work in any job that all other dependants are able to work at. Is there a way to change this?
Answer: The SOFA requires that people that work on base are members of what it calls the "civilian component." To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen (not just lawful permanent resident) or a citizen of a NATO country other than Italy. To change those conditions you need to convince your elected officials to renegotiate the SOFA.