Photo By Staff Sgt. Abbigayle Williams | Senior Airmen James Bryant, 90th Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering...... read more read more
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Let’s step out of the popular belief that Bioenvironmental spends their day in yellow hazmat suits, because they do much more than hazard response and gas mask fittings.
The BE mission is to provide operational health risk assessment expertise to enhance a commander’s decision making and health service support capabilities. This is achieved through bioenvironmental engineers and technicians identifying health hazards, potential risks and appropriate control measure for health situations.
“The typical responsibilities of bioenvironmental is identifying, analyzing and recommending controls for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear occupational and environmental health threats,” said Airman 1st Class Kimberly Haggard, 90th Medical Group bioenvironmental engineer technician.
One of the busiest programs BE runs is the environmental program which includes water sampling around base.
“Water sampling is conducted routinely,” said Lauren Layne, 90th Medical Group environmental health technician. “We sample the drinking water on base monthly and the missile alert facility water quarterly.”
The 90th CES Environmental Water Program Manager, Nicole Ng, works in tandem with BE to ensure the installation is in environmental compliance thus minimizing the risk to the mission.
“BE is an integral component to our mission as they ensure we provide safe drinking water to our Airmen and families on base and those deployed out at the MAF’s,” said Ng. “It is through the dedication, passion, and hard work of those in BE we are able to achieve that and support the mission.”
In addition to water sampling, BE also runs various other programs vital to the health of the Airmen on base, including expecting mothers.
If an Airmen’s pregnancy test shows the two pink lines while stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, they are not in the situation alone in terms of health care for themselves and their child, bioenvironmental is here to make the transition into a working pregnant Airmen easier.
A pregnancy evaluation is required for all active duty Airmen and civilians working on base have the option to partake in the program.
A member of the BE team and Public Health meet with the soon-to-be-mom to discuss any potential at home or work hazards. There are numerous potential hazards such as workout-out programs, pets or wearing a bullet-proof vest, but the risks vary depending on the person and job.
The purpose of the program is to provide the patient’s primary care manager with the best understanding of potential hazards and provide recommendations to reduce exposure.
“The environmental program, which includes the pregnancy evaluation and water sampling, are a small token to the overall piece of the BE job,” said Layne. “Each token works well together to complete the big picture for Airmen in hazardous situations.”
| Date Taken: | 02.15.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.15.2018 17:51 |
| Story ID: | 266238 |
| Location: | FRANCIS E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WY, US |
| Web Views: | 17 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Men in yellow: BE has your back, by SSgt Abbigayle Williams, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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