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Emergency Management: Not just 'chem training guys'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  A few weeks ago, Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Communication Squadron were digging trenches for cables and they unearthed a strange blue powder.

Unsure of just what the powder was, they contacted an office on Joint Base Balad who would be able to tell them: the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management Section. The Airmen in EM leapt to action, bringing a variety of gadgets and gizmos that would be able to tell them just what the powder was.

Donning their "Level A" Hazardous Material Response suits, they scanned the area and carefully took samples of the powder. After a variety of tests, they found the powder to be...an inert blue chalk. Sigh of relief, mission critical work could continue; another successful job by the 332 ECES EM Section.

Testing unknown powders might seem out of place when people think of EM. When they think of EM, many associate the infamous "gas, gas, gas!" call that rings out during Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear and high-yield explosives training; but that is just the protective oversuit that covers an even more important job.

"A lot of people know us as the 'chem training guys' at their home station, or the 'Post-Attack Reconnaissance trainers' when we deploy," said Staff Sgt. Shaun Zinner, 332 ECES EM craftsman. "But what they don't realize is that Emergency Management Flight has some very important jobs while deployed. We're one of those unseen shops that doesn't come out unless the mess hits the fan."

One of the first things newly-arrived members of Balad see when they arrive is a video about the proper procedures regarding indirect fire incidents and unexploded ordinance.

"This is vital information they need during their tour here, especially because of the amount of IDFs we get," said Sergeant Zinner, a native of Panama City, Fla., deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "We don't want someone's complacency to cost a life."

Training is an important aspect of EM, and it blends naturally into their main mission and focus: preventing and mitigating chemical, biological and nuclear incidents - be they by attack, accident or unearthing.

"There is always the possibility of chemical or biological incidents," said Airman 1st Class Charles Evans, 332nd ECES EM technician. "It's something we understand could happen when we deploy, and that's why we prepare for them."

Whatever the hazard may be, the EM Section is ready to respond and mitigate these hazards in any form.

"We always take every precaution when we go out on a call," said Airman Evans, a native of Kansas City, Mo., deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. "Every call we receive is different, but every single one will always be important because the people here count on us to help make sure they are working in a safe environment."