08-31-2012 The Patriot (Joint Base Charleston)

Page 1

Joint Base Charleston

Patriot

Vol. 3, No. 35

Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!

Friday, August 31, 2012

Training To Contain

Preparing for the worst case scenario U.S. Air Force photo / Airman 1st Class George Goslin

Airman 1st Class William Workman, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, communicates with headquarters during training exercise Operation Burnt Spear Aug. 24, 2012, at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base, S.C. The emergency managers performed radiological response training for a simulated incident involving a dirty bomb. In the scenario, a mock Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Task Force requested Air Force Emergency Management assistance to verify and contain any radiation present from the device and establish a communication hotline for incoming responders. See more photos on Page 9.

Town Hall provides forum for tough questions

INSIDE

Courtesy of Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

DEPLOYED

Joint Base Charleston Commander Col. Richard McComb recently held a series of Town Hall meetings at the JB Charleston - Weapons Station and Air Base. The following is a transcript of questions and answers at the meetings and submitted via email and Facebook along with addressed responses.

Question: "Why isn't there handicap parking at Bldgs. 174 and 175? Is it possible to have handicap parking marked off? Answer: According to the Civil Engineer Squadron, there are 27 parking spaces, so based on applicable code and regulations, these facilities should have two handicap parking spaces. CES has placed temporary Handicap signs at the facility and will be installing permanent handicap spaces.

14th AS Airmen train Afghans See page 7

The essential Hearing Conservation Program

TASK FORCE

Visits Joint Base Charleston See page 5

IS IT SAFE? Clean water is their mission See page 6

Weekend Weather Update JB CHS, SC

Friday, August 31

Partly Cloudy

(20% precip)

High 91º Low 73º

Saturday, September 1 Partly Cloudy

(20% precip)

High 90º Low 73º

Sunday, September 2

Isolated T-Storms (30% precip)

High 86º Low 74º

Question: Can an employee file for back pay if their position is upgraded after retirement? Answer: No. U.S. Comptroller General Decision B-232695 dated Dec. 15, 1989, states that federal employees are entitled only to the salary of their appointed positions even when higher level duties may have been performed and that there is no entitlement to back pay in the event of a later re-classification to a higher grade. We are aware of these types of issues and are working through the classification backlog in an orderly manner as quickly as possible. CPS also encourages individuals to file classification appeals if they believe their current position is improperly graded. Guidance on filing appeals is available online at: www.cpms.osd. mil/fas/ classification/class_filing_appeal.aspx See Town Hall Forum, Page 4

By Staff Sgt. Rasheen A. Douglas Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

Hearing, unlike a broken limb, can't be healed with a cast and physical therapy. Once you've experienced hearing loss - it's permanent and irreversible. The U.S. Air Force Hearing Conservation program is designed to help prevent and or minimize noise induced hearing loss to workers assigned to hazardous noise areas. Most Airmen assigned to flying squadrons and squadrons supporting the flying mission, such as maintenance squadrons, are affected by this program, according to Master Sgt. David Tolson, 628th Medical Group Public Health noncommissioned officer in charge. The Hearing Conservation Program is a component of the Air Force Office of Safety and Health program designed to protect workers from the harmful effects of hazardous noise. This requires identifying all areas where workers are exposed to hazardous noise and reducing exposure through engineering or administrative controls, personal protective equipment or worker placement. The 628th Medical Group Public Health staff conducts the audiometric testing program, fits hearing protection devices at initial audiograms, and provides counseling on audiometric results

and monitors audiometric compliance. They also track compliance of follow-up tests and ensure referrals are made to the appropriate Primary Care Manager team and regional audiology or hearing conservation referral center. The 628th MDG Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight performs noise surveys and dosimetry to quantify noise hazards to industrial shops. "They help determine permissible exposure limits for shop personnel exposed to conU.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Dennis Sloan tinuous or intermittent exposures and impulse or impact Airman 1st Class Ekaterina Morrissette, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, wears hearing protection as exposures during these surshe marshals in a C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 27, 2012, at Joint Base veys," said Tolson. Charleston - Air Base, S.C. Hearing protection consists of personThe Public Health staff also al protective equipment the Hearing Conservation Program assists in determining the requires Airmen to wear to minimize exposure to hazardous noise. appropriate health surveillance and Air Force HCP requirements said Tolson. for exposed personnel. In addition, the program helps reduce claims It is up to workplace supervisors to help protect the hearing of assigned personnel by ensur- for hearing loss against the Air Force. For more information on the Air Force ing protective engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment Hearing Conservation Program contact Kevin are used correctly by all workers and to ensure Baker at 963-6974. their workplace complies with all OSHA, DoD

AF senior leaders stress safety over Labor Day weekend WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following message to all Air Force personnel: As our nation pays tribute to American workers during Labor Day weekend, we thank all Airmen for your dedicated service and hard work every day of the year. While many of you enjoy a well-earned break to celebrate the last holiday of the summer season, we urge you to plan your activities with care and to make smart decisions that will keep you, your family, and your friends safe. Safety is a concern for all of us. Sadly, more than 40 Airmen have died in off-duty mishaps this year, including 27 Airmen killed in motor vehicle accidents. Many of these tragic losses may have been preventa-

ble, the result of reckless behavior such as excessive speed, irresponsible alcohol use, failure to use proper safety gear or inattention. Equally alarming, our Air Force family has lost 70 Airmen to suicide this year. Our goal is to eliminate all preventable mishaps, and you can help by setting a standard of zero tolerance for reckless behavior and through awareness of subtle behavioral changes that could indicate heightened levels of stress in yourself or others. Because one lost life is too many, we urge all Airmen to look out for one another and remember that safety requires deliberate forethought. Your family, friends, and fellow Airmen depend on you. Please take time to consider safety as you enjoy Labor Day weekend, and as always, thank you for all you do for our Air Force and our nation.

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BLACK 01/29/08


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