Bioenvironmental Airmen, trained to contain

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Airmen know them because of the gas mask fit test, but bioenvironmental technicians also ensure Airmen and their families are taken care of by evaluating the presence of hazardous materials in the workplace and at home.

The primary job of the bioenvironmental flight is essentially to protect the health of people on the job. Day to day operations can vary with activities in multiple sections of the flight -- industrial hygiene, occupational health, environmental protection, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN).

In addition to gas mask fit tests, bioenvironmental engineers collect and process water and air samples and conduct noise surveys, respirator fit tests, and chemical evaluations. They also conduct monthly tests in work centers with a continuous presence of hazardous materials to ensure the safety of those working there.

"Our job is to evaluate hazards and recommend measures that protect the health of the workers," said Tech. Sgt. James Lumley, 354th Medical Group Bioenvironmental Industrial Hygiene NCOIC. "Additionally, we check the base drinking water system to ensure a safe drinking water supply for all workers and residents on base."

Bioenvironmental performs health risk assessments for everyone on Eielson AFB and its' geographically separated units. A health risk assessment is an evaluation of the potential health hazards that personnel are exposed to while performing their job. Risks range from noise to breathing air contaminates or radiation.

"My job exists to ultimately protect Airmen," said Senior Airman Samuel Bergh, 354th MDG bioenvironmental technician. "Whether it's making sure they are safe during their everyday jobs or possibly during an event such as a suspicious package."

From chemical evaluations to responding to CBRN incidents, everything they do is designed to keep people from developing occupational related health impairment.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that every person on base is as efficient as possible while being protected at all times to ensure that no manpower is lost because of a preventable hazard," said Airman Bergh.

The flight holds weekly training sessions to maintain standards and proficiency for a variety of CBRN response situations.

"Because our career field is so broad and diverse, we train on just about every part of our job," said Airman Bergh. "One day it could be a refresher on taking a water sample, gas mask fit testing, how to use a new piece of equipment for industrial shops of CBRN events, or sampling procedures for a white powder threat."

"We need to be constantly up to date and prepared for any situation that we might come across," Airman Bergh added. "This allows me to perform my job well for routine tasks and events I never thought I would be a part of. I was part of a plane crash response once and it was the most beneficial experience to see my training used in a real world situation."

From water contamination to chemical attacks, bioenvironmental Airmen stand ready to respond quickly using training to accomplish the mission - ensuring Eielson's Airmen are protected on and off the job.