The Conference and Training Center (CTC), located at the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center, near Bluemont, Virginia, is also used to conduct FEMA training. These facilities include various sized classrooms, small and large conference rooms, and exercise and simulation areas (indoor and outdoor).
Smoking: All buildings on the facility are nonsmoking.
Weapons/Cameras: Weapons (e.g., firearms, mace, etc.) and cameras are prohibited on the facility and must be turned in to the Security Office until ready to be removed from the facility.
Administration
The Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center is a limited access facility; however, participants enrolled in training activities are welcome. Course participants must be enrolled and rostered by name and social security number, a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the course start date. Additional information regarding any training scheduled at Mount Weather can be obtained by calling (540) 542-2266.
Registration
Participants should report to the Mount Weather Visitor’s Center in Building 403. Further instructions will be provided by staff in Building 403.
Food Service
All personnel staying overnight at Mount Weather are required to purchase a meal ticket. This includes FEMA personnel and all non-FEMA personnel to include instructors. Meal ticket purchase will be part of in-processing at Guest Registration. Personnel staying off-site may purchase meals in a Café a la carte.
Guest Registration accepts payment by cash, corporate check (includes government), traveler’s checks, purchase order, or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and Government Travel Card). Checks should be payable to FEMA. Guest Registration does not accept personal checks.
The meal charge will be identified in the acceptance letter (it is dependent upon the exact arrival and departure date and time as well as other special requirements of the class. Special requirements include, but are not limited to, prescheduled dining off-site, cookouts, and class breaks.) No adjustment will be made after the ticket has been purchased.
No exceptions will be made to this policy and no refunds will be given after a meal ticket is purchased without written approval from John Matticks, Senior Resident Manager or his designated representative. If an exception is approved, a copy of the approval must be included with your travel voucher.
Any questions regarding this policy should be directed to Jerry Howse at (540) 542-2008.
Special Requirements: If you have special food or dietary requirements, the food service contractor will work to meet your needs. Arrangements for special food or dietary requirements must be made at least 2 weeks prior to arriving at Mount Weather.
Lodging
All rooms are nonsmoking rooms.* Lodging in campus housing is provided at no cost for most participants enrolled in courses conducted by FEMA’s training division. Exceptions include federal employees and persons representing the private sector. Participants in these categories must pay the prevailing rate for housing at Mount Weather. For those required to pay, lodging may be paid for by cash, personal check, traveler’s check, MasterCard, or Visa. Check-in time is anytime after 12 noon on the day prior to your course start date. Check-out time is 8:30 a.m. on departure day.
No accommodations are available at Mount Weather for relatives or friends of participants. Information on accommodations in the area is available on request; however, the traveler is responsible for arranging and paying for such accommodations.
There are no connections for mobile homes or recreational vehicles. No animals other than seeing-eye dogs or other guide dogs are allowed.
If you have a physical disability, allergies, or other medical condition that may require special housing consideration or attention, notify Mount Weather at least 2 weeks prior to course start date. The phone number is (540) 542-2266.
Dress Code
Casual dress and low-heeled shoes are appropriate. Shorts, cutoffs, tank tops, and sweats are not permissible except during physical exercise, jogging, etc. Certain courses conducted at Mount Weather may have special dress requirements. In these cases, information will be outlined in acceptance information.
Automobile Travel/Parking
Participant parking is available at all dormitories for participants electing to drive privately owned vehicles or rental cars. Participant parking is limited to the dormitory area. On-site shuttle service will be available to transport participants from dormitories to the classroom and dining hall areas.
Transportation to and from Dulles Airport
Mount Weather operates shuttle service for course participants to and from Washington Dulles airport only. If you need bus transportation to Mount Weather, plan to arrive at Dulles at least 1 hour before the bus pickup times. Standard pickup times are 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. only on weekdays. To be assured a space on the bus, you must call the CTC at least 1 week prior to the course start date. The number to reserve ground transportation from the airport is (540) 542-2266. When calling, please have the following information available:
Course name and date
Airline and flight number
Arrival time, date
A contact phone number
Arrival: Mount Weather transportation departs Dulles International Airport promptly at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. weekdays. You must meet the driver in the domestic Traveler’s Aid area located in the east end of the main terminal, baggage claim level, near baggage claim area 4. Driver will have a sign saying Mount Weather.
Alternate Transportation: Mount Weather transportation picks up passengers ONLY at Dulles International Airport. If you schedule a flight to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) or Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, you should make arrangements to catch a shuttle to Dulles in time to meet the 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. departure.
Delayed Flights: If you are scheduled to use Mount Weather bus transportation and your flight is delayed for reasons beyond your control, you should arrange for a taxi from the airport. If you are a participant eligible for reimbursement under the stipend program, you will need a receipt for the taxi to be turned in with your stipend reimbursement form. If you have questions enroute or anticipate a delay, please contact Mount Weather security at (540) 542-2139.
IF YOU DO NOT CALL MOUNT WEATHER TO RESERVE BUS TRANSPORTATION, OR IF YOU SCHEDULE FLIGHTS THAT DO NOT COINCIDE WITH THE MOUNT WEATHER TRANSPORTATION SCHEDULE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ARRANGE AND PAY FOR YOUR TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT TO MOUNT WEATHER.
