Summer is not even here, but frustrations are rising with the temperature at Fort Bragg as on-base residents are experiencing problems staying cool.
“It is ridiculous that there are 6,000 residents on base and for those 6,000 residents they only have 4 HVAC techs to try and remedy all these issues,” military spouse Katiya Tovar told WTVD in a Monday report.
She said her family has experienced recurring problems with the cooling units since they have moved it.
The Tovars are trying to make the best of things, with the family — two adults and three children — sleeping in the living room because it has the most powerful window air conditioner.
The military contracted with Corvias to provide HVAC work, and Tovar and others hint that some people are afraid to call for maintenance.
“Our issue is getting taken care of quickly,” Tovar said, adding that 100 people don’t have working air conditioning now. “Most people are too nervous to do that. They don’t want to upset Corvias for getting retaliated against in some way.”
For its part, Corvias said it takes care of problems when people call.
“The area is experiencing high temperatures,” the company said. “Less than 2% of the more than 6,400 homes at Fort Bragg have requested HVAC service and we’ve contacted each resident to understand and respond to their needs.”
Another resident thinks the Army needs to step up.
“I think it’s a slap in the face to all of Fort Bragg’s residents that they would insinuate that it’s not their problem, it’s Corvias’ problem,” Abby Newman said, “because it doesn’t matter what company owns the housing, this is a military installation. Fort Bragg definitely needs to step up.”
Fort Bragg officials are aware of the problem, and it puts the blame on high demand.
“Fort Bragg Garrison Command is aware that several homes on the installation have open work orders regarding issues with air conditioning,” Bragg officials said. “With the latest heat wave in the area, many AC units across the region are overstressed, especially since it is the first high-demand use of air conditioners this season.”
