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Fort Hood Press Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: May 7, 2012 5:00:00 PM CDT

85th CA Brigade achieves 100 percent in Environmental Compliance

 

Article and photos by SSG David House, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs

 KILLEEN, Texas –  ­­Being 100 percent in compliance. Not just a phrase but a goal and members of the 85th Civil Affairs Brigade achieved such a goal during the brigade’s first Environmental Compliance inspection since their activation in September last year.

“Being able to hit 100 percent on our first inspection was a huge accomplishment for us being that we are a newly activated unit on Fort Hood,” said Maj. Kara Escajeda, Environmental Science and Engineering Officer for the 85th CA Brigade. “This is not something that could have been done overnight.”

The driving force for the unit’s accomplishment was the assistance and support from the Fort Hood Environmental Compliance Assessment Team.  They are the subject matter experts that provide technical assistance to all units and activities located on Fort Hood in all areas related to environmental management and compliance.

Some of the areas that the inspection concentrated on were proper storage and labeling of hazardous materials, segregation of petroleum, oils and lubricants (POLs), storage and disposal of batteries and the necessary paperwork.  All of that was derived by a plan and a starting point.  Step one was finding out what equipment was needed, what was readily available and what needed to be ordered and put into place.

For areas such as the motor pool, that also meant consolidation.

“Much of what I did was reorganize areas such as the UPRPs (Used Product Reclamation Points) to make them better suited for the Soldiers,” said Sgt. Matthew Wilson. “Keeping everything easily accessible went a long way to prevent any possible spills from transporting items across the motor pool and also stopped any cross contamination.”

Old and new alike, both areas required a process.

“I also ended up separating all of the new fluids and supplies to not only keep them organized but to ensure that they were accounted for, properly labeled and Soldiers had the correct MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for any product they might come in contact with,” Wilson said. “A lengthy and tedious process but it was part of the requirements.”

Although the physical aspects of the compliance seemed complicated, so too was the mental aspect and making sure everyone had the proper mindset to change their habits.

“I found that it was best to make sure that the Soldiers were involved in the process so that they had a better understanding of what I was doing and why,” said Wilson. “That way they will have a vested interest in the process and will help develop a habit of doing it the right way.”

Doing it correctly involves much more than just common sense as it takes a coordinated effort to make sure that federal, state and local laws and regulations are followed.

“Ask questions,” said Wilson.  “Make sure you ask plenty of questions in regards to anything that you think you know, don’t know or think you don’t know.  Also have the ECAT team do a few walk throughs around your area before the actual inspection event to make sure everyone is on the same page as to what will happen.”

Now that they have set the standard it is up to the members of the 85th CA Brigade to make sure that 100 percent is maintained in subsequent inspections and becomes a positive example for other units across Fort Hood.

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Sgt. Matthew Wilson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, inspects a supply locker at the motor pool to make sure everything is in order. Sgt. Wilson serves as the brigades Environmental Compliance Office Sergeant and helped achieve a perfect rating during the first environmental compliance assessment since the brigade’s activation in September of last year. (Photo by Staff Sgt. David House, 85th CA PAO)

For more information contact:
85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public Affairs
Public Affairs
(254) 553-6690
85th Civil Affairs Brigade
Fort Hood, TX 76544
[email protected]