ESOHCAMP inspectors visit Vandenberg

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Steve Bauer
  • 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
Air Force Space Command sent 25 inspectors to Vandenberg Feb. 23 through March 3 to conduct an analysis during an Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program here. 

This external ESOHCAMP occurs at Vandenberg every three years. During the inspection 20 different environmental and bio-environmental protocol areas were assessed. 

"The inspectors, along with one of our internal protocol managers, went out to numerous areas on base to look for training, record keeping, housekeeping and occupational health practices," said James Newberry, a 30th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental protection specialist. This assessment is an indicator for Col. David Buck, 30th Space Wing commander, as to where the strong and weak areas are on the base, Mr. Newberry said. 

The inspectors briefed the appropriate personnel when there were any findings deemed as requiring attention. 

"There were 21 rewrites on last year's ESOHCAMP assessment compared to only six rewrites during Vandenberg's recent assessment," said Mr. Newberry. "This is a good indicator that people are doing the right thing. Overall, the base did remarkable on the past inspection." 

Vandenberg was rated Exemplary in the area of cultural resources. An exemplary rating means Vandenberg's protection of cultural resources scored the highest among all AFSPC installations. 

"Vandenberg's cultural resource management team proactively managed a diverse resource inventory, maintained a remarkable working relationship with tribal government and regulatory agencies and provided outstanding community outreach and partnering efforts," said Karen Kivela, the AFSPC ESOHCAMP project manager. "The base's paleontological recovery efforts and the preservation of a Native American burial ground are also commendable." 

The cultural resources department is doing a great job, Mr. Newberry stressed. "They are doing things over the top because they are very passionate about taking care of historical relics." 

Although the 30th CES environmental flight prepared Vandenberg for success during the assessment, credit is due to the Vandenberg community. 

"There is no way that ESOHCAMP could have been a success without the personnel in the shops who realize the importance of the program," Mr. Newberry said. "It was a success because the people of Vandenberg are trying to take care of the environment and keep their work places safer for everybody." 

Vandenberg's own ESOHCAMP inspection team will conduct the next assessment, which will mimic the AFSPC assessment and is scheduled for February 2010.