Navy, Air Force combat future HAZMAT spills

Randall Smith uses a chainsaw to cut through ice during a training scenario that focused on oil spills Dec. 1, 2009, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The chainsaw was used to help construct underwater dams that help divert oil to specific locations based on underwater current. Mr. Smith is the Hazard Waste Disposer Supervisor assigned to the 354th Civil Engineering Squadron. The training was hosted by the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Navy, Air Force combat future HAZMAT spills

Tech. Sgt. Gary Lutz and Matt Gore use an ice cutter to make blocks of ice for constructing a trench during a training scenario that focused on oil spills Dec. 1, 2009, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Trenches can be used for diverting and funneling oil into a pit for recovery and containment operations. Sergeant Lutz is assigned to the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Mr. Gore is assigned to the Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, Fort Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Navy, Air Force combat future HAZMAT spills

Matt Gore and Scott Caple cut out blocks of ice to demonstrate construction of a trench during a training scenario that focused on oil spills Dec. 1, 2009, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Trenches can be used for diverting and funneling oil into a pit for recovery and containment operations. Mr. Gore and Caple are assigned to the Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, Fort Richardson, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz)

Airmen get hands on practice during the EME

Published Dec. 8, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- At the quantity and frequency that fuel is transferred, it is unique that Eielson Air Force Base can boast they have never had a large spill.

The Emergency Management Evaluation on Dec. 3 prepared Airmen for dealing with spills to ensure they know how to handle the situation and have hands-on experience with the equipment in case a major spill does occur.

The EME, conducted over the course of a week, also gives management a look at different areas where improvements can be made.

On Dec. 1, the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage team trained Airmen in an ice exercise at Spruce Lake so if there was a fuel spill under the ice or on top they could properly recover it.

By teaching Eielson's Airmen their techniques for oil spill removal on the ice, the U.S. Navy salvage team has made the base more independent in areas of safety.

The morning of Dec. 2 there was classroom training and in the afternoon there was the table top where leadership could get together and deal with scenarios so they could pre-plan.

Finally, Dec. 3 the EME had an inject that featured a worst-case discharge that involved the catastrophic rupture of a tank.

"Everybody knows what to do," said Alan Simmons, the hazardous materials spills manager for Eielson, when asked about the benefit of having the EME. "There's a difference between reading what you're supposed to do in a manual and actually exercising it."

Mr. Simmons added, "It's been a learning experience for those who didn't understand the true extent of our contingency plan till we briefed them."

Department of Defense and federal evaluators facilitated the exercise coming up with spill scenarios and giving the injects, said Simmons. They said we had more equipment deployed and were more excited and realistic in our exercise than any exercise they had seen in years.

"The EME is good because it helps organizations and individuals mingle and come together as a team," Master Sergeant Corey Proulx, the section chief for the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels information center, said.

He said, no one person should be trying to stand out. Through these exercises, the base becomes a fluid team.

Anyone who identifies a spill can call it in to the spill line at 377-SPIL. If a petroleum worker locates the source they would call the resource control center to report the spill. After the spill is reported, a first responder is called to be at the scene until the spill is controlled and the fire fighters can be made available to possible emergencies.

Operations are then turned over to the recovery operations coordinator who then does the clean-up to ensure the environment is protected.

The EME highlights how important it is to inspect the response systems in place to better alleviate any issues and closely monitor these systems in the case something leaks or breaks so the right people can react according to plan.