Civil engineer squadron, emergency management power

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Scott Jackson
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Air Force civil engineer squadrons are made up of various flights, branching from firefighters to power production. One specific flight exists for contingency planning and helping in times of emergency.

Specifically, the 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Emergency Management Flight does just that.

"We manage emergencies, literally," said Airman 1st Class Jared B. Lunstad, 17th CES emergency management journeymen. "Our main priority in times of an emergency is to gather accountability across the base and make sure everyone is accounted for."

Goals accomplished with connections in each squadron who are responsible for the unit shelter program, unit information program, disaster response force, and tracking requirements. They also maintain shelter-in-place kits for their unit's personnel.
Their role is also acting as a liaison by disseminating information from emergency management and into their units, and also report back training information.

"We have two representatives at each squadron on base," said Lunstad. "We work with them to designate where everyone would be sheltered in the event of an emergency and how everyone is going to be trained to handle an emergency. They help us out by passing the information along to their squadron."

Keeping the base up-to-date through training for emergencies is a top priority. From chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives training to what to do during a disaster, CES covers all of this.

"We train up the installation on anything emergency-related," said Tech. Sgt. Wade F. Meadows III, 17th CES Emergency Management NCO in charge. "Whether it's CBRNE training for people who need it annually or for deployment purposes, we deal with plans and operations, and write installation plans."

On an individual scale, emergency management training falls under the mental pillar of Comprehensive Airmen Fitness, The readiness training gives Airmen greater awareness and decision-making skills to prepare for emergency and deployment situations including flash floods, fires, hurricanes, and thunderstorms.

Some of the decision-making skills include Airmen judging whether an action would put them or others in danger, or how to stay safe during an emergency.

Emergency Management is only one flight in 17th CES affecting the whole base by providing timely and up-to-date training, acting as an essential component to base readiness.