Plans to re-open Toolik Field Station on July 15, 2020 - 6/15/2020

We have a plan for re-opening Toolik Field Station (TFS) to researchers in mid-July. In order to go to TFS, everyone must undergo a 14-day quarantine in Alaska, and have negative COVID-19 tests on arrival and near the end of the quarantine period. NSF and CPS have arranged for a quarantine hotel in Fairbanks, which will be open to all researchers starting at the beginning of July, and COVID-19 testing. If you can meet these requirements, please fill out the CPS Survey if you would like to come to Toolik this summer, and make your reservation in the MyToolik system by 6/24/2020. For questions, please contact Faustine Bernadac.

TFS will provide transportation from Fairbanks to Toolik, or you may arrange your own transportation via CPS or your own project trucks. If you are traveling in your own vehicle or a CPS leased vehicle, you will need to submit a travel and safety plan to the State of Alaska, and this condition will also apply if you are planning on going beyond the local Toolik area to Deadhorse.  Researchers who travel to Toolik in TFS vehicles are covered under our travel and safety plan. Note that we will not be open to researchers coming from Deadhorse this summer, because traveling on a plane negates the quarantine. 

Toolik Field Station Coronavirus Advisory - 3/11/2020

In the wake of recent news about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we would like to assure users and staff that the Toolik Field Station (TFS) is taking every possible precaution to minimize its potential spread and impact on camp operations during the 2020 field season. As a result, those planning on arriving at camp in the coming months should be aware of the following policies and procedures:

Two days before deployment, individuals must complete a self-screening questionnaire consisting of the following questions on their myToolik account:

1. Have you traveled to, or returned from any CDC Level 2 or 3 areas within 14 days of your departure to Toolik Field Station? Refer to: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

2. Have you exhibited any of the following COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of your departure to the Toolik Field Station?

• Fever
• Persistent Cough
• Shortness of Breath

3. Have you been in close contact with anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or who is under investigation by the CDC or the Alaska Section on Epidemiology?

Completion of this questionnaire is mandatory, and we ask that individuals answer truthfully. Staff and users that do not complete this self-screening process will not be permitted to enter the field station. Those who answer “yes” to any of the above questions should speak with their supervisor and self-quarantine. Furthermore, staff and users can expect to be contacted by TFS for further questions depending on their answers. Regardless of their responses to the questionnaire, any individual that presents apparent COVID-19 symptoms (staff discretion) before their departure will not be permitted to enter camp. At the station, the on-duty EMT may quarantine those who present with symptoms and potentially remove them from Toolik. Following these procedures ensures that we can protect the health of those at TFS, in addition to avoiding unwanted surprises that may alter your travel plans.

***Special Note: PIs should be prepared to provide accommodations for their employees/students if they are denied entry into the field station. It is not the responsibility of the Toolik Field Station to provide lodging in Fairbanks for users who have had their reservations altered due to possible exposure. Please take this into account when making travel plans for your employees/students to head up to Fairbanks.***

We want to remind camp visitors that, while TFS emphasizes water conservation and a low environmental impact, we encourage frequent hand-washing throughout the day. Your safety is our primary concern, so do not cut a hand-washing session short in an attempt to save a little bit of water. Hand sanitizer is present near every hand-washing station at camp and should supplement, not replace proper hand-washing practices. Those who would like a personal bottle of hand sanitizer can obtain one from the common-use medical supply in the dining hall.

Per the CDC, high-traffic areas are subject to a frequent, in-depth sanitization procedure that will aid in removing germs from surfaces and preventing disease transmission. Additionally, TFS has several N95 respirators and face masks available for general use. While face masks are capable of slowing transmission, proper personal-hygiene practices have proven to be a more effective method of preventing the spread of any disease.

Toolik Field Station is a remote location with a large number of people working close to one another. As such, the spread of disease is a serious issue that we are always fighting to overcome. We want to use this opportunity to encourage you to consider your disease mitigation practices and those of your co-workers. If you start to feel sick, notify the on-duty EMT immediately to prevent any possible spread.

We are looking forward to the upcoming 2020 field season and would like to thank you for helping us make Toolik a safer, healthier place to work.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to Scott Filippone (Lead EMT/Safety Coordinator) by e-mail at smfilippone@alaska.edu or by phone at (907) 474-2457.

Resources

CDC Coronovirus Guide https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html

CDC Handwashing Guide https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

UAF Screening and Self-Quarantine Policy https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zCRemaDrNOp2FH-fd

Fairbanks offices are moving!

All Fairbanks logistics operations are now in Irving 2, room 138. Departures will take place from this new space effective immediately.

Please mail all packages to:
Your name/Your PI’s name
IAB Toolik 757005
*2120 N Koyukuk Dr #138*
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7005

New: Toolik Newsletter! This quarterly newsletter highlights the latest news and research happening at Toolik Field Station! Found under the News & Info tab, or click here!

New: TUNDRA Early Career Userday Award!  Toolik Field Station is committed to providing students and early career researchers with opportunities to conduct their own research projects in the hopes of better supporting today's emerging scholars.  To learn more about the application process or to help fund this award visit the TUNDRA webpage.

Toolik is now on the Purple Air network! Visit PurpleAir to see the current air quality (PM 2.5 particles) at the station, and in other places in the World! 

360° tour of the Toolik Field Station now available! Visit Mapillary for a tour of the station surroundings, the camp itself and inside the buildings. 

2020 Reservations.  We are taking reservations for 2020! 

Need a fuel account? Please request your 2020 fuel account here.

Comment form:  Comments, compliments, suggestions for improvement