EOHCAMP gives Fairchild check-up

Published June 25, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Team Fairchild must have a firm grip on what it takes to be environmentally sound. The Environmental and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program performed by Headquarters Air Mobility Command praised the base for the environmental work done here.

EOHCAMP, held June 18 through 22, was assessed by a team of contract personnel, HQ AMC personnel and personnel from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.

"The guest base will typically have an upcoming inspection. McGuire, the guest base for Fairchild's EOHCAMP, got to see what their counterparts are doing and what happens at another base on the same level," said Sharon Geil, HQ AMC EOHCAMP manager.

The assessment reviews the installation's environmental and occupational health management, evaluating compliance areas that include air, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, natural and cultural resources, pesticides, petroleum oil and lubricants, storage tanks, solid waste, water quality, waste water, toxic substances, pollution prevention waste handling, and occupational health.

The strengths of Fairchild's environmental programs include pollution prevention and solid waste, hazardous materials, air quality, waste water, and environmental impact. "Excellent" was used to describe many of these programs.

"Fairchild has excellent hazardous material storage practices at several shops," said Col. Gregory Otey, Fairchild EOHCAMP team chief from McGuire AFB, during the out-brief June 22.

The base has avoided classification as a significant industrial user. This management has created an environment in which creativity throbs, and will produce measurable savings, he said.

During the out-brief there were quite a few areas recognized for their environmental attentiveness, as well as individuals who have done more than their share to ensure that Fairchild meets and exceeds standards.

The top performers recognized by the EOHCAMP assessors included Tech. Sgt. Mark Castorena, 92nd Maintenance Squadron unit environmental coordinator; Kara Zernik, Army and Air Force Exchange Service warehouse manager and environmental coordinator; Joel Espinoza, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron hazardous waste manager; Danny Kiter, 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron bulk storage foreman; Staff Sgt. Erik Robbins, 92nd Aeromedical Dental Squadron bioenvironmental technician; Jonathan Wall, 92nd CES natural and cultural resource manager; Tech. Sgt. Mahleenee Wright, 141st Air Refueling Wing public health technician; and Diane Wulf, 92nd CES pollution prevention coordinator.

Craig Payne, 92nd CES environmental technician, received the Gen. Edwin W. Rawlings Award for Environmental Excellence, a reward designated for someone who goes the extra mile to take pride in sustaining and improving the environment.

"This award goes to someone who realizes the importance, someone who takes pride in what we do, but it is not their primary duty," said Col. Thomas Sharpy, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "We have some awesome individuals here, but more important, we have an awesome team. Not only do we meet the standards, we exceed them."

Though Fairchild remains within federal, state, and local regulations and is environmentally conscious, there are still higher goals to achieve and programs that can be improved.

"Awesome job by everyone at Team Fairchild," said Colonel Sharpy. "The challenge is to continue the vigilance and to continue to tweak those programs."