Engineer

JAN-APR 2014

Engineer presents professional information designed to keep U.S. military and civilian engineers informed of current and emerging developments within their areas of expertise for the purpose of enhancing their professional development.

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January–April 2014 Engineer 31 A large aluminum tube, similar to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning ducting, transfers air from the ECS to large pieces of fltration equipment, each with multiple car- bon flters where the air is cleaned. Noise dampeners ensure that the operating noise level is within the Washington, D.C., guidelines of 55 decibels at the edge of the project. A continuous air-monitoring system analyzes the air emitting from the ECS, looking for key chemicals in the If a sensor notes a chemical of concern, technicians from the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center alert lead- ers at the site. Coordinated protocols have been established, with extensive training on how to respond. From a command trailer that serves as the nerve center for the entire site, project leaders have radio communica- tions and visual oversight of the project area. In addition, cameras with 360° views inside the ECS provide leaders with an immediate update on excavation operations as the dig team works deeper and deeper into the soil. Members of the team wear a full personal protective equipment ensem- ble, including a breathing apparatus. Site leaders carefully review the weather each day and adjust work schedules if local conditions such as heat and humidity could cause a safety issue. A site crew of approximately 50 workers, representing multiple agencies and organizations, is on-site every day during the project. This includes USACE colleagues from the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Alabama; Army representatives from the Edgewood Chemi- cal Biological Center and 20th Support Command; and Dis- trict of Columbia police personnel. For safety, an ambulance is parked nearby, ready to respond to any injuries that may occur on the site. During the almost 21-year Spring Valley Formerly Used Defense Site Project, nearby residents have not needed to shelter in place to avoid a chemical release. However, as an added safety layer, USACE has implemented a shelter-in- place system that includes an evacuation zone, a notifca- tion system with a strobe light and siren alerting system to alert residents, and a system to automatically call people on a roster. If any chemicals of concern are released into the atmo- sphere, eight residences and designated American Univer- sity staff will be notifed. Project leaders have met with these families and tested telephonic and e-mail notifcation systems in English and Spanish. The system will be tested monthly throughout high-probability operations. Recogniz- ing that this is a high-profle project, project leaders have maintained a robust and transparent communications effort, to include meetings with community members, weekly updates on the District's Web site, and multiple news media interviews emphasizing project safety. To see an interactive tour of the 4825 Glenbrook Road project, visit . Ms. Barber is a project with USACE, a bachelor's degree in civil enginee Illinois Uni- versity at Edwardsville. She is a licensed profes- sional engineer. Mr. Gaines is a public affairs specialist with ore District. He holds a bachelor's degree of Wisconsin–Madison in hu an resource anage ent fro olden Gate University. Ms. Takash is a public affairs specialist with ore District. She holds a bache- lor's degree studies Youngstown State University an aster's degree in business College. Multiple layers of engineering controls address safety at the cleanup site. The ECS occupies the space where the house stood at the cleanup site. EN Takash.1.indd 34 3/12/2014 1:37:43 PM

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