Bioenvironmental tech skills meant to save lives

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eugene Bird
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AFB, Okla. --  A surprise radiological inspection Wednesday from an Air Force-level inspection team resulted in the 97th Medical Group's Bioenvironmental Engineering work center receiving the highest rating allowed.
 
Tech. Sgt. Chris Lawver, NCO in charge of Bioenvironmental Readiness and Response explained that the personnel recently had accomplished some advanced training the week before. 

"Last week, we had a team from four officers come to train us in detecting and assessing health risks from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE). Team members were experts from came from the Air Force Institute for Occupational Health at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. and the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine at Brook City Base, San Antonio. 

Training covered the use of the standard equipment in the Homeland Defense Detection Equipment Package, from hand-held to laboratory equipment," said Sergeant Lawver.
 
"We use the equipment to detect CBRNE agents after a terrorist incident or enemy attack. The equipment tells us exactly what we are up against. They are accurate, and we use them a lot in day-to-day operations," he said. 

"We started at 8 a.m. each morning. We exercised in full-level 'A' suits - big, blue 'moon' suits. We went into an area and detect-and-identify substances or radiation. We sweated a lot, used a lot of air from our self-contained breathing apparatuses, and went through a lot of equipment use. We move into the scene, communicate well, and ensure we leave with enough air to exit and be decontaminated," he said.
 
"It takes someone with a strong mind and strong body. One typically thinks, this could possibly kill or seriously incapacitate me - so one takes the job very seriously each time. We approach all situations with extreme caution, use the buddy system and watch out for one another. I believe we impressed the experts who visited last week," said Sergeant Lawver. 

"We came up with all the correct responses in each scenario. 

Some people don't realize that it is the bioenvironmental work center personnel out there in the bubble suits at a response, along with the Fire Department and Civil Engineering Readiness, and that we have lots of equipment and training to allow commanders make the best decisions to protect people."