Prioritized issues from the Survivor Outreach Services Mini AFAP Conference on 9 August 2011, the Youth Mini AFAP on 30 August 2011 and the AFAP Conference on 8 December 2011.

ISSUE #: FH-11-001: Inconsiderate Housing Area Occupants

Scope: The effect of privatized housing has resulted in a reduction of quality of life in military housing

due to lack of enforcement of rules/policies. Residents (military and non-military) are not following

rules/policies set in place by property management (Balfour Beatty Communities). Specifically policies of

noise ordinance, parking, garbage (take out & clean up), curfew of youth and fire/safety (BBQ grills on

balconies) are not being followed.

Recommendation(s): Revise policies so that when violations are committed enforcement/consequences are implemented by garrison command instead of property management (regardless of the privatized agreement). Status: Completed/ This issue has been brought to the attention of our property management staff. Every effort has been, and will continue to be made towards the enforcement of these policies, which are all incorporated into the Resident Guide that is handed out to each new resident. Additionally, if residents notice blatant violations, they have the ability to call and notify the property management staff who will then take the appropriate course of action, based on the type and severity of the violation/infraction. Those residents that are found non-compliant with any policy are given proper notifications ranging from a “Discrepancy Notice”, “Letter of Caution”, “Letter of Warning”, “Letter of Eviction.” Any issue that cannot be reasonably resolved through the efforts of the property management staff and the Ft. Hamilton Housing office are brought to the attention of the Garrison Command Group. ISSUE #: FH-11-011: Benefits for Gold Star Parents Scope: Gold Star Parents are currently not receiving the same benefits as surviving spouses and children. For example, there are no preventive medical benefits for Gold Star Parents. Lack of matching benefits create hardships and isolation of Gold Star Parents from the military family. Recommendation(s): Provide equal benefits for Gold Star Parents that mirror benefits of surviving spouses and children. Status: Unattainable/ Elevated to Military District of Washington (MDW) AFAP Conference—The Delegates from this conference felt services are currently available: Survivor Outreach Services (SOS), Veterans Administration and Military Family Life Consultants offer free services. This issue was not forwarded to the Dept of the Army.

United States Army Garrison – Fort Hamilton The Face of America’s Army in New York City.

ISSUE #: FH-11-012: Survivor Preferential Hiring Status Scope: Next of kin are not given the same preferential hiring status as spouses when applying for government positions. Often times the next of kin (i.e. Gold Star Parents) have more qualifications than the spouses, but are not considered for employment due to lack of equal preferential status. Therefore the government is not benefiting by the employment of the most qualified candidate. Gold Star Parents should be allowed to offer their dedication, experiences and educational backgrounds for consideration of employment on an equal par with military spouses. Recommendation(s): Provide Next of Kin the same preferential hiring status that are offered to spouses. Status: Unattainable/ Elevated to MDW AFAP Conference—A representative from the Judge Advocate General’s office told the conference Delegates that if benefits were not given to a family member prior to the Soldiers death then benefits could not be offered after the death. This issue was also brought forward at the SOS conference earlier this year and was not considered there either. This issue was not forwarded to the Dept of the Army. ISSUE #: FH-11-014: Recreational fun for teens Scope: There aren’t enough recreational activities for teens on post. The younger teens are not allowed off post; meanwhile the older teens who are allowed off post participate in reckless behavior/activities. The lack of recreational activities affects the entire youth population on post. Recommendation(s): Provide new recreational activities such as an indoor roller rink. Provide additional equipment at already established recreation sites, such as more swings at the Ocean View Park and a waterslide at the Community Pool. Initiate quarterly Teen Forums in the Child, Youth and School Services sphere to discuss additional requests for recreational activities. Status: Completed/ Youth Services will hold quarterly Teen Forums to discuss recreational activities

and other teen concerns. The Teen forums will be held 3rd Tuesday of each month (Mar, Jun, Sept and

Dec)

ISSUE #: FH-11-024: Running track on post Scope: There is no designated area for Soldiers outdoor running PT. Lack of running track increases disruption in traffic flow, accidents and injuries. Proper running track will increase moral and physical readiness. Recommendation(s): Build a track around the ball field or another location. Status: OPEN/ Funding doesn’t exist for a new track, however, Poly Preparatory School next to Fort Hamilton may allow use of their facilities. DFMWR will research this option. ISSUE #: FH-11-026: Improve Recycling Program Scope: Garrison Residents/Tenants are not fully engaged in the current recycle program. The environment is affected by lack of participation from users. The garrison is not meeting the established base line standards. Recommendation(s): 1) Aggressively market current recycling program 2) Demand 100% participation Status: Completed/ Recycling outreach was conducted to all housing units, including memo from the Garrison Commander. DPW started briefing OMA activities on proper recycling procedures on 13 December 2011 and so far has met with PAI, Safety, FMWR, PAO, DOL DPTMS, NEC and CAC. Environmental Division is continuing the recycling briefing to all OMA and tenants on the installation. We are also briefing the newcomers at the Newcomer’s Orientation.

ISSUE #: FH-11-032: Energy Conservation Awareness Training Scope: Lack of energy awareness notification to the Garrison. Lack of awareness results in not meeting energy reduction goals. Meeting energy reductions goals saves dollars that can be used towards mission critical activities Recommendation(s): Coordinate with Garrison energy POC’s to provide mandatory Energy Conservation Awareness Training. Status: Open ISSUE #: FH-11-033: Emergency Notification System Scope: The current Emergency Notification System utilized on the installation does not reach all intended parties (tenants and residents.) It also appears that a large portion of the installation population are unaware of the Roam Secure Alert Network (RSAN.) At the time of an emergency the Fort Hamilton community may not receive notification or be aware of a potential threat, which may lead to an increase in injuries or death. Recommendation(s): 1) Broaden the Fort Hamilton knowledge base of RSAN capabilities and ensure that the information is provided in a timely manner to all residents and tenants. 2) Install internal intercom capabilities within all buildings on the installation. Status: Completed/ The Director of Planning, Training, Mobilization and Security (DPTMS) has contacted both the Army Community Services (ACS) center and the Public Affairs Office (PAO) for assistance with this requirement. ACS has provided time for the Emergency Management (EM) manager to speak during the installation’s Newcomer’s orientation and the PAO is working with the EM to develop a way to use the command information system to promote Fort Hamilton’s ability to get RSAN alerts on personal electronic devices. DPTMS has sent out mass emails to promote the use of RSAN by the community. Additionally DPTMS has conducted a briefing for the United States Army Corps of Engineers Safety Managers to encourage usage of RSAN within the Corp. Installation of internal intercom is being reviewed to determine the best system for the structures at Fort Hamilton. ISSUE #: FH-11-034: Lower rank Service Members, Civilian Staff, and Family Members are unaware of any emergency response plan at Fort Hamilton. Scope: This affects mission readiness and preparedness in the event of an emergency. Recommendation(s): Discover and utilize additional channels of communication and be more aggressive in distributing information to military community. Status: Completed/ The EM is currently tasked with reviewing and revising the Fort Hamilton

emergency preparedness training program. Communication of an event/incident has been identified as

a National shortfall. Currently we are using the previously described means to better inform the

community. Additionally the use of “Social” networks has been incorporated. Visitation by the

installation staff to “tenant” units to review their plans/SOP and providing assistance with updating and

exercising will be included in the Fort Hamilton Exercise Plan.

ISSUE #: FH-11-035: Non DOD affiliated civilians can make reservations at the Ft. Hamilton lodge, even though they would not normally have access to the installation. Why is it that they are allowed to get on post with just a reservation? Scope: This degrades the security of the entire installation. A terrorist can access the installation in a vehicle with nothing more than a credit card. Recommendation(s): Ensure that unauthorized civilians do not enter the installation with just a lodge reservation. Status: Completed/ In order to obtain a room at the Holiday Inn Express Fort Hamilton, the potential guest must be able to gain access to the installation. The lodging staff informs every potential guest that the lodge is located on a military installation and they will need proper identification to enter. Additionally DES insures/validates all guests have more than just a reservation. A military identification card and/or affiliation is required for entry onto Fort Hamilton. ISSUE #: FH-11-036: Priority for Soldiers & Families @ Guest House Lodging Scope: There is a lack of priority lodging for PCS/TDY service members and their Families. This creates an increase in transport time, a financial burden to the service member and stress to the Family members. Increased stress compromises mission readiness. Recommendation(s): Provide priority to Service Members and their families at privatized lodging on military facilities. Status: OPEN/ Elevated to MDW AFAP Conference—The conference Delegates recommended this issue go forward to the Dept of the Army AFAP General Officer Steering Committee meeting. ISSUE #: FH-11-038: Waste of Electricity Scope: There are many lights left on after business hours. This negatively affects the Garrison’s budget. Funds are being diverted from mission critical programs to fund higher than necessary electrical bills. Recommendation(s): 1) Install occupancy sensors in OMA buildings 2) Increase energy awareness (lights) 3) Offer incentives to save energy Status: Completed/ Occupancy sensors will be installed in buildings that currently do not contain them as a modification to the 8A Energy projects contract. ISSUE #: FH-11-043: Workforce Reductions Scope: Due to drastic and arbitrary reductions in the DoD work force, directorates are not able to complete their missions. For instance, DES has been mandated to be reduced by 9 officers which does not meet the daily man power requirement. This directly affects the readiness, welfare and development of every Service Member, Family Member and DoD Civilian on the installation. Recommendation(s): Ensure that every directorate has enough qualified Military and civilian personnel to accomplish their mission and provide services to the current standard. Status: Completed / Due to budget constraints across the entire Army we may be required to reduce

our staffing level. The Command is working very hard to ensure that we can cover all required missions.

If a reduction in staffing levels results in not being able to complete a mission, then the Command will

have to relook and adjust mission requirements.

ISSUE #: FH-11-044: Insufficient Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Scope: Currently BAH is based on the location of the installation. Housing in the surrounding communities however, does not predominantly meet on post conditions. Consequently soldiers have to spend more than their BAH amount to secure safe and quality housing for their families. Recommendation(s): Provide BAH to reflect the markets equivalent to on post living. Status: Completed / Data is collected annually for over 350 Military Housing Areas in the United States. Three components are included in the BAH computation: median current market rent, average utilities (including electricity, heat, and water/sewer) and average renter’s insurance. Collectively these components establish the total housing costs. From 2007 thru 2011, Ft. Hamilton BAH rates have had a steady increase. Ft. Hamilton’s average BAH has risen from $2052 in 2007 to its current rate of $3005 in 2011. Based on the significant increases in BAH, and the surrounding area market rental rates, Ft. Hamilton’s current BAH rates accurately reflect those rental costs associated with the surrounding markets. ISSUE #: FH-11-045: Ft. Hamilton Community Activities Center Scope: Current Community Activities Center does not meet the soldiers need and is inadequate. The concentration is currently on the outside community and is not soldier friendly. Soldiers are forced to go off post for after hour activities, and when alcohol is involved, it can be detrimental. Recommendation(s): Establish appropriate after hours Community Activities Center for Service members. Status: Unattainable / The Fort Hamilton Installation Planning Board has plans to build a Community Activities Center, however, funding has not been allocated for it at this time. As soon as funding is approved, work on building a Community Activities Center will begin. ISSUE #: FH-11-046: Cross Training Military and Civilian Personnel Scope: Many military and civilian personnel are not aware of nor trained in specific elements and technical knowledge in order to complete their mission. For instance, DES training officers may need to know aspects of the DPW, like GFEBS, in order to get training equipment. This lack of knowledge hinders productivity and mission completion. Recommendation(s): Create focus group sessions on cross training Military and Civilians to distribute relevant technical knowledge throughout the work force. Status: Completed/ Cross Training is being conducted at the local levels. Additionally there are Professional Development Training opportunities for civilian personnel wishing to expand their skill sets beyond their current job classifications. This includes TDYs to other installations and the Fort Hamilton University. ISSUE #: FH-10-058: Housing Recycling Program Scope: Housing currently has no recycling program. This negatively impacts not only the installation but the entire environment. Wrongly discarding recyclable items causes harm to the environment. Recycling saves the community money. Recommendation(s): Provide a Recycling Program for Fort Hamilton Housing. Status: Completed/ The Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division in conjunction with our Fort Hamilton housing partner, Balfour Beatty Communities, have implemented a housing recycling program.

Issue from the 2009 AFAP Conference: ISSUE #: FH-09-064: Provide a Coffee Establishment on Post Scope: Fort Hamilton lacks a good socialization area such as a coffee shop. It also provides employment for Teens. It is a safer venue for Teenagers to gather, as opposed to going off post. Off post is an urban environment that can be dangerous. A coffee shop would provide a good social networking place for the Community. Recommendation(s): Establish a coffee shop on Post Action: AAFES management is looking at companies to bid on running a Coffee Shop on post. Status: OPEN