Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Schultze | Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight...... read more read more
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SALAH AD DIN, Iraq - Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering flight are known for wearing bright, florescent, head-to-toe one-piece, suits and responding to medical emergencies.
In addition to being responders to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies, the flight does much more at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.
The flight specializes in preventive measures to ensure a safe working environment in areas of occupational and environmental health.
“Aspects of our mission range from something as simple as ensuring airmen wear the proper protective equipment such as gloves, all the way up to calculating radioactive decay for an unknown isotope,” said Senior Airman Brandon Ruebsamen, 332nd EMDG bioenvironmental engineering technician, who is deployed from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
As emergency responders, the flight is present at all contingencies on base.
“We assess hazards following a CBRN attack of industrial incident and make recommendations to the commander to protect the base personnel as well as the surrounding community,” said Ruebsamen, who is originally from Saginew, Texas. “We also work closely with the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron to assess and contain hazards.”
Ruebsamen explained that the flight inspects industrial shops that contain chemicals such as jet propellant on the flightline or formaldehyde in the hospital.
The flight also tests the water on base to ensure drinking water is kept up to stringent standards.
“We check for bacteria and chemicals and monitor the pH and chlorine levels,” said Ruebsamen.
As the drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq carries on, the flight expects to get more phone calls.
“We anticipate more responses as people move things around and discover forgotten hazards or suspicious substances,” said Capt. Joseph Ball, 332nd EMDG preventive health chief, who is deployed from Luke AFB, Ariz. “We will continue to do our job in a proper fashion with minimal equipment as the transition continues.”
Ball is a native of Napoleon, Ohio.
The flight works closely with the 332nd EMDG public health flight and Army co-partners to form the preventive health office.
They all have the same mission to prevent disease, disability and premature death.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2011 07:07 |
| Story ID: | 75472 |
| Location: | SALAH AD DIN, IQ |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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