News

Hunt Housing holds town hall

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Lile
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  A town hall meeting for base residents was held April 14 at the Columbus Club on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

During the meeting, members and attendees discussed annual surveys, pest control, fire protection and prevention, how to fill out a work order -- and armadillos in base housing.

"We have gone into base housing and done surveys to try to find out how many armadillos there are, how much of a problem it is and try to determine the best solution," said Lt. Col. John Zohn, Chief of Wing Safety. "Right now we are evaluating trapping and netting, so if you see a plywood box sitting around please don't touch it; however it is completely safe to you and harmless to the animal."

Armadillos are sometimes a problem to base housing residents because they can dig into the yards and create holes. Insects and bugs can also be a problem to some housing residents and steps are being taken to resolve them.

"We started a new pest control program this year where we come out and spray the exterior of houses each quarter," said Kessler Cowans, Columbus AFB Community Director. "If a resident still needs the inside of their house treated they can fill out a work order."

In case residents were unaware of how to fill out a work order or how long work orders take to process, Cowans explained the form.

"As far as what would help us getting to your work order faster is that your information, phone number and email is up to date and if residents will fill out a permission to enter form," Cowans said. "If we come to your house to work on a work order and we cannot get in touch with you we will not enter your house unless you have a permission to enter form filled out."

Scott Romero, Columbus AFB Fire Inspector, then informed the housing residents about the dangers of house fires.

"Three out of every five deaths in a house fire is due to a faulty smoke detector," Romero said. "Everyone has one in their house but you need to test them once a month. Another thing is fire extinguishers; you all have them in your house so make sure you talk with your family about how to use it. Please talk to your children and make a plan for what you are going to do in the event there is a fire."

The meeting concluded with answers to housing residents' questions. Base housing also distributes a survey once a year as well as at the town hall meeting to find areas where they can improve.