Get documents about "Baltimore District Town Hall meeting reveals new
Document Sample
CONSTELLATION
A publication of the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District
Volume 35, Number 9 September 2009
Baltimore District Town Hall meeting
reveals new Campaign Plan
Story and photos “disciplined team” by meeting a set of standard goals and
by LaDonna Davis missions to ensure quality workmanship, superior performance
Public Affairs Office and positive lasting impressions on all Corps partners by “saying
what we will do, and doing what we say.”
In early 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers During the town hall meeting, Anderson echoed Van
Headquarters developed a new Campaign Plan to be Antwerp’s sentiments by asking District employees to see
implemented throughout all Corps districts nationwide. The goalthemselves through this Campaign Plan and asking them how
of the plan is four-fold; (1) to be ready for
all contingencies, (2) to engineer sustainable
water resources solutions, (3) to build
effective, innovative and sustainable
solutions and (4) to recruit and retain strong
team members.
On Aug. 26, Col. Dave Anderson,
Baltimore District commander, held a town
hall meeting for all District employees to
explain the purpose of the Campaign Plan
and how he wants employees to use it in
their day-to-day duties.
“What is great about this Campaign
Plan is that you can see yourself in it,”
said Anderson. “Every single person is
going to be a part of the implementation
plan. It may be anything from supporting
your boss who is on the project delivery
team. The main thing we need to do is find
solutions to the Campaign Plan together.”
Developed under the leadership of Lt. Col. Dave Anderson talks to District employees at the Town Hall Meeting Aug. 26.
Anderson emphasized the importance of the Campaign Plan and how each
Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, Chief of employee should see themself in the plan.
Engineers, the Campaign Plan was
designed to unify all Corps districts as a (continued on page 3)
Chemical agent found at Spring Valley WA employees receive prestigious honors
In
this Page 5 Page 7
issue:
CONSTELLATION
Winner of the
Herbert A. Kassner
Journalism Competition Commander’s Comment
September 2009
The NASA Janitor and You
U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
Baltimore District operator, a timekeeper or an administrative assistant.
By Col. David E. Anderson You are helping solve the Nation’s toughest
http:// Commander and District Engineer engineering challenges. What a great opportunity to
www.nab.usace.army.mil
serve!
First, I want to thank everyone who was able to Take a look at the Campaign Plan’s four goals:
Constellation is an 1. Deliver USACE support to combat, stability,
unofficial publica-
make it to the Town Hall meeting that I held on Aug.
tion authorized 26. It was great to gather everyone together to share and disaster operations;
under the provisions some of my initial impressions, to discuss the Corps’ 2. Deliver enduring and essential water resource
of AR 360-1 and
published monthly Campaign Plan and to emphasize the importance of solutions through collaboration with partners and
by the Public Affairs our mission to support the Afghanistan Engineer stakeholders;
Office, U.S. Army District. 3. Deliver innovative, resilient, sustainable solutions
Corps of Engineers,
Baltimore District, Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp likes to tell the to the armed forces and the Nation; and
P.O. Box 1715, story of a dignitary who once visited a NASA space 4. Build and cultivate a competent, disciplined, and
Baltimore, Md. resilient team, equipped to deliver high quality solutions.
21203-1715.
flight facility. At one point during the tour, the visitor
Telephone: encountered a These four goals are easy
(410) 962-2809; to understand, because they
fax: (410) 962-3660.
janitor who was “Each and every one of us have an
It is printed on diligently working important role to play in these goals, perfectly capture the four
recyclable paper; away, mopping things the Corps does every
press run 1,600. All and as we pursue them — individually
the hall. “What do day — our enduring missions.
manuscripts sub- and as a team — we must never be Each and every one of us
mitted are subject to you do here?” the
editing and rewrit- visitor asked. The satisfied with the status quo.” have an important role to
ing. Material from play in these goals, and as we
this publication may
janitor replied,
be reproduced with- “I’m helping put men on the moon!” It is pretty pursue them — individually
out permission. impressive that even the NASA janitor was able to and as a team — we must never be satisfied with the
Views/opinions are
not necessarily those see his face in the big picture of NASA’s mission to status quo. It is important for us to seek to improve
of the Department land a man on the moon. every single day, and the way we tie our goals to our
of the Army. Our Campaign Plan — with its vision, mission, actions is through our individual performance
District Engineer: and four simple goals — provides each and every objectives.
Col. David E. Anderson one of us with that “big picture” of what the Corps I have asked all supervisors to spend time with
Public Affairs Chief: of Engineers does, and like the NASA janitor, the their teams in October to ensure that every member
Clemens Gaines opportunity to see how we fit in. The Campaign of the District understands exactly how their individual
Editor: Plan enables each of us, if asked, “what do you do performance objectives fit into the Corps’ Campaign
Katisha Draughn here?” to respond: “I help deliver solutions to the Plan. This will ensure that we can all, like the NASA
Contributors: Nation’s toughest engineering challenges.” janitor, see our face in the big picture.
Joyce Conant That is what we all do in the Corps of Engineers If we all work together to implement the Campaign
LaDonna Davis
Fred Furney
— we deliver solutions to the Nation’s toughest Plan, we will achieve “greatness,” and we will all
David Ruderman engineering challenges. All of us. It doesn’t matter if help deliver solutions to the engineering challenges
Chanel S. Weaver
you are a division chief, a design engineer, a project that this Nation needs so badly.
manager, a construction representative, an office So, “what do you do here?”
engineer, a real estate specialist, a biologist, a dam Army Strong, Building Strong, Essayons!
2 CONSTELLATION
September 2009 http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
From the Cover
Town Hall Meeting
(continued from cover)
they can improve in their own daily duties and
projects.
“You all may be wondering, what does this
have to do with me?” Anderson asked. “What’s
my role in this? When we look in the mirror we
should ask ourselves these three questions:
1) Am I doing everything I can to improve
myself?
2) What am I doing to help make my
organization better?
3) Am I living my life in a way that is worthy
of the sacrifices that are being made every
day?”
So when you ask yourself those questions
every day and then you start to think about the
Campaign Plan, I think you will see where the
Chief is trying to go, where the division is trying
to go, and you will be able to see your face in
the Campaign Plan.” Ryan Eargle, from the Real Estate Division, asks a question during the Town
In addition to serving as a venue to get across Hall Meeting on when the District will get a Family Readiness Program.
the goals of the Campaign Plan, Anderson also encouraged Anderson. “And I will tell you that if you go, you will not come
District employees to consider deploying to the Afghanistan back the same person. You will not look at the world the same
Engineer District to help with the rebuilding effort in the way as you did before you got on that airplane. You will be a
overseas contingency operation. changed person for the better.”
“We have 13 team members deployed in Iraq right now For more information on the Campaign Plan, visit http://
and 12 in Afghanistan. Our Nation needs us there,” said www.usace.army.mil/about/campaignplan/Pages/Home.aspx.
Quick Poll: Why do you think the Campaign Plan is important for
the Baltimore District?
April Hipkins Jeff Wiggin Mehrnoosh Mirzaei-Fard
Programs and Project Operations Division Engineering Division
Management Division
“The Campaign Plan makes the “It is a road map to successful “The Campaign Plan makes us
District better because it sets su- execution of our Nation’s focused and organized in our
perior performance and profes- priorities — at home and abroad.” mission.”
sionalism by providing educated,
trained, competent and certified
professionals.”
CONSTELLATION
September 2009 3
Feature
Get to know Baltimore District’s new commander
By Katisha Draughn
Public Affairs Office
Upon learning that he would be coming to Baltimore to serve
as the commander of the District, Col. Dave Anderson knew
that his years of watching his father as a professional licensed
engineer would aid him while with the District, just as it had with
his previous assignments.
“I spent my formative years watching what my father did in
his office and I received a good understanding of the engineer-
ing industry,” said Anderson.
In addition to his father, Anderson has a brother who is also a
professional consulting engineer in Baltimore, prompting Ander- (Courtesy photo)
son to call engineering the “family business.” Anderson started Col. Dave Anderson is joined by his family (from left to right)
in the “family business” in 1986 when he graduated from the daughters Kelsey and Cadet Katy Anderson, his wife Kara,
and his son, Kurt, on a recent trip to visit his daughter at the
U.S. Military Academy at West Point. U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.
“As a captain, the Army sent me to graduate school at the
University of Texas where I studied Construction Engineering “If we are going to move from being a doggone good
and Project Management. It was a great academic preparation district to being a GREAT district, it all starts and ends with
for working with the Corps of Engineers,” he said. execution. Our reputation relies on getting these BRAC
Following that, Anderson served as the deputy area engineer projects executed on time,” said Anderson.
in the New York District’s West Point Area Office. He later His long range goal is to ensure the District is “built to
served two tours in the Army’s Congressional Liaison Office, last.”
which proved to be a valuable experience for him. “We have built a very strong bench as we ramped up for
“In that role I would coordinate engagements by senior Army the BRAC mission, and we have assembled a tremendous
leaders with Congressional members and their staff on issues team. I want to make sure this team stays intact for the
related to military construction, privatization, installation support, future,” he said.
and Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC),” said Anderson. Anderson said he is proud to be serving for such a great
“That experience provided me with a great perspective on organization for the next three years.
Congress’ role, and gave me a broad, strategic-level of under- “The Corps of Engineers has a very unique mission and
standing of the Corps’ mission in providing infrastructure for our an incredible opportunity to serve the American people, our
Army.” servicemembers and their families,” he said. “Whether it’s
Anderson also commanded the Honolulu District from 2004 providing drinking water to our customers in northern
to 2006. On July 17, Anderson became the 65th commander of Virginia and Washington, D.C., or constructing a child
the Baltimore District. development center, the Baltimore District is just a great
For the past two months, Anderson has been visiting various place to serve.”
projects and gaining an understanding of the District’s mission In his free time, Anderson enjoys spending time with his
and the challenges it faces. He is very proud of the work the wife of 21 years, Kara, and his children, Katy, 18; Kurt, 14;
District is doing and is confident that progress will continue. and Kelsey, 11.
“Everything that we do needs to be focused on executing our “I am really passionate about my family, my faith and
mission, whether it’s civil works, regulatory, environmental Soldiering,” said Anderson. “I am proud of the last 23 years
cleanup, or military construction,” he said. of my life that I have spent in service to my country. There
Anderson has some short and long range goals for the is nothing more honorable than serving in the Army of the
District, with the biggest short range goal being the execution of greatest Nation on earth – whether in uniform or as an
projects associated with the 2005 BRAC law. Army civilian.”
4 CONSTELLATION
September 2009
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
Around the District
Cleanup at Spring Valley FUDS project
unearths chemical agent mustard
Holmes-Norton was notified of the find, was escorted on a driving tour of the
By LaDonna Davis she asked for a project briefing and a site Spring Valley area and concluded her day
Public Affairs Office visit. On Aug. 19, Baltimore District and by conducting a press conference where
Army leaders escorted Holmes-Norton to she spoke to the media on the latest
The Baltimore District suspended Spring Valley for a briefing on the progress progress in Spring Valley.
investigation of a property on Glenbrook of cleanup at the contaminated site and a “Our position is the Corps of
Road located within the Spring Valley tour of the FUDS location where the Engineers must remain here until there
Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) contaminated flask was found. is an objective ‘all clear,’” said Holmes-
when a glass flask containing a small “Transparency in our cleanup process Norton to the media. “No one needs to
amount of solid material was found on is very important to us, and we make every move out of this beautiful neighborhood
Aug. 4. effort to provide information on our and it really isn’t fair to alarm people about
Following established procedures, investigation and cleanup to the public and this neighborhood. The fact is that there
workers secured the flask and took it to elected officials,” said Todd Beckwith, is no indication that the neighborhood is
the federal property adjacent to the Spring Valley project manager. unsafe.”
Washington Aqueduct. The Army’s During the briefing, Beckwith, Col. In Spring Valley, the Corps and its
Technical Escort Unit took the flask to Dave Anderson, Baltimore District partners continue to identify, investigate,
Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland for commander, and Addison D. Davis, deputy remove or remediate threats to human
analysis on Aug. 5. On Aug.10, the Corps assistant secretary of the Army, answered health, safety or the environment resulting
received confirmation that the material Holmes-Norton’s questions concerning the from past Defense Department activities.
in the flask tested positive for the history of the site, the timeline which the The history of the site dates back to
chemical agent mustard. The discovery, Corps expects cleanup to be complete, the World War I when the U.S. Army
transport and analysis of the flask posed budget and the findings that have been developed chemical weapons at the
no danger to the public. unearthed at the site to date. American University Experimental Station
When Congresswoman Eleanor Following the briefing, Holmes-Norton and tested the weapons on rural tracts of
farmland surrounding the university.
Decades later, this area, in northwest
Washington, D.C., was developed and
now encompasses more than 1,600 private
homes.
“We can’t take history back,” said
Holmes-Norton. “But, what we can do is
make sure whoever did [bury munitions]
is going to undo it. That’s the most
Congress can do and that’s what I’m here
to make sure gets done.”
A flask with the
chemical agent
mustard was
(Photo by Fred Furney, Public Affairs)
found at the
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes-Norton (center) holds a press conference Spring Valley
following an update briefing and tour in Spring Valley. She discussed the cleanup FUDS location
status of the project and answered questions regarding the safety of the on Aug. 4.
neighborhood and the latest munitions uncovered by the Corps. Army officials who
briefed her included Addison D. Davis (left), deputy assistant secretary of the Army,
and Col. Dave Anderson, Baltimore District commander. (Courtesy photo)
CONSTELLATION
September 2009 55
Around the District
Distinguished Corps leaders, Sen. Cardin visit Poplar Island
doing exactly what they said they would do,” said Cardin.
By Katisha Draughn “They moved from cell to cell, developed wetland
Public Affairs Office restoration, and as a result, we get to see all the wildlife
and all the terrapins coming back. It’s very impressive
When Kevin Brennan was notified that several distinguished and very beautiful.”
leaders and dignitaries would be visiting Poplar Island, he was Van Antwerp acknowledged the work with the cells
pleased that he would get the opportunity to show them the high- at Poplar Island, which are component areas of the site
profiled environmental restoration project. and are filled in a row as dredged material needs to be
Brennan, a project manager on Poplar Island for almost three deposited. Each of these cells is separated from the
years, gave a tour of the island to two separate groups. On July surrounding waterway, the Chesapeake Bay and
7, Maj. Gen. Merdith “Bo” Temple, the deputy commanding adjacent cells by containment dikes.
general for civil and emergency operations for the Corps of “I think the cells that are mature are beyond what we
Engineers, came to the island. On July 27, Lt. Gen. Robert L. ever dreamed, and when you look at all the natural
Van Antwerp, Chief of Engineers; Col. Peter “Duke” DeLuca, habitat, the 190 different bird species, it’s very exciting
North Atlantic Division commander; Col. Dave Anderson, and it will impact the rest of the country,” said Van
Baltimore District commander; and Sen. Benjamin Cardin, Antwerp.
senator for the state of Maryland, visited the island. Brennan said that he hopes more people will come
“The Poplar Island project is a national model for the benefi- away with the understanding that the Corps of Engi-
cial use of dredged material and it is important for these distin- neers is a steward of the environment and the Chesa-
guished leaders to see this project so that they can carry the peake Bay and is fully capable of executing large scale
message around the country of a way of handling dredged ecosystem restoration projects.
material,” said Brennan. “The material is being used to benefit “When we returned from the trip, I sent the Chief a
the environment instead of creating great big controversial piles brief note of thanks for taking the time to see the
that no one wants to look at.” project,” said Anderson. “His response was, ‘Thank you
Since 1994, the Baltimore District, the Maryland Port and your team! It was a fascinating trip. I’m very proud
Administration and several federal and state agencies have been of the new Poplar Island.’”
working to restore Poplar Island using dredged material
from the Baltimore Harbor and approach channels. The
island is right off the Chesapeake Bay coastline and is
currently being returned to its former size — 1,100 acres.
Both visits began with a helicopter tour of Poplar Island,
which also included an over-flight of Barren and James
Island. Brennan then gave a bus tour of the island and
answered questions from the visitors.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for the Chief of
Engineers to be able to gain a first-hand understanding of
the projects,” said Anderson. “Sen. Cardin appreciated the
chance to see Poplar Island and the Mid-Bay Islands first
hand, and to be able to explain to the Chief the importance
of the project to the Chesapeake Bay’s environment, its
importance to migratory birds and the critical impact of the
project on the region’s economy.”
Cardin was very impressed with the development of the (Photo by Fred Furney, Public Affairs)
project and applauded the work that Baltimore District has (Far left) Col. Peter “Duke” DeLuca talks about the project to
Kevin Brennan (second from left), Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp
been accomplishing on the island. (third from right), Sen. Benjamin Cardin (far right) and other
“Tremendous progress has been made and they are officials while at the telescoping weir at Poplar Island.
6 CONSTELLATION
September 2009
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
Feature
Three Washington Aqueduct employees receive high recognition
Story and photos
by Fred Furney
Public Affairs Office
Three Washington Aqueduct employees were recognized last
month by the American Waterworks Association – Chesapeake
Section, for their work at the Washington Aqueduct and in the
water supply industry. Tom Jacobus and Mike Robinson
received awards, while Patty Gamby was elected as a trustee
on the association’s board of directors. Jacobus, general
manager of the Aqueduct, received the George Warren Fuller
Award, which is presented annually to a section member for
their distinguished service in the water supply industry and is
considered the association’s most prestigious award.
As described by the association, the award is presented for
sound engineering, diplomatic talent and constructive leadership,
Mike Robinson (right) shows Tom Jacobus the exact quality
which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller.
of chlorine in the drinking water using a digital titrator.
“To be selected by one’s peers is most gratifying, and to the
extent that my work with Washington Aqueduct has helped “Winning this award means a lot to me because as an
improve us as a water utility is something in which I take great operator it’s the highest honor that I can receive, and I’m
pride,” said Jacobus. among the few that have received it,” said Robinson.
Jacobus thanked the Washington Aqueduct staff for their Robinson started his water treatment operator career in
diligence, intellect and dedication to delivering safe, reliable and May 1996 with the Queen Anne’s County Sanitary District
cost-effective water service. in Stevensville, Md. He began working at Washington
Robinson, a water treatment plant operator at the Aqueduct, Aqueduct in 2003.
was selected as Operator of the Year because of his outstanding “Mike (Mac) Robinson is most deserving of the recogni-
technical skills and his personal initiative. tion of operator of the year for the Chesapeake Section
(Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C.),” said
Jacobus. “His positive attitude, his helpfulness and his great
technical skill combine to create an ideal operator whom
we can count on every moment he is on shift for the safe
and reliable production of drinking water for our custom-
ers.”
Gamby, deputy general manager, has been with the
organization for 18 years. She considers it an honor to have
been selected to serve as a trustee on the association board
of directors.
“Being asked to serve as a trustee shows me that the
organization sees me as someone who has a passion for
the industry and will work hard to make a difference,” she
said.
“Patty Gamby gives 120 percent at Washington Aque-
duct helping manage the overall business and working with
Patty Gamby works on organization staffing strategies, which
other managers and employees to meet a wide range of
is one of her many duties as the deputy general manager at the challenges,” said Jacobus. “In the process, she has been a
Aqueduct. mentor to all.”
CONSTELLATION
September 2009
5
7
Feature
The Waffle Rock: novelty and mystery revealed
heard earlier: the government planned to build a large dam in
By Norm Dennis and Cori Brown the area, all but ensuring that the town of Shaw, the shanty, and
Operations Division the beloved rock would be buried deep beneath the waters of
the newly formed Bloomington Lake (now known as Jennings
Most people visit Baltimore District’s Jennings Randolph Randolph Lake). Fortunately, Harold had more news for Betty.
Lake near Keyser, W. Va., for its secluded, uncrowded The government saved the rock and planned to situate it at the
atmosphere, where camping, boating, swimming and picnicking soon-to-be-built West Virginia Overlook.
are the activities of choice for young and old alike. What you In April 1985, Betty read with surprise another letter to the
may not know about is another star attraction that is millions of editor in the Saturday Evening Post. It came from then
years old and enjoys iconic status with the locals. The Waffle Baltimore District Engineer, Col. Martin W. Walsh Jr. He
Rock is a geologic wonder, one that many years ago attracted referred to her letter and wrote concerning the origins of the
a young family with its unusual geometric design and massive rock, “Speculations range from impressions of the skin pattern
size. The story of the of a giant reptile, to
Webster family and the evidence of space
“Indian Rock”, as they travelers on earth. Upon
knew it, is as rich and examination by geologists
colorful as the beautiful from the U.S. Army Corps
scenery that now of Engineers, and other
surrounds the 964-acre agencies, it was concluded
flood control reservoir. that the rock was a natural
Here is their story geologic formation.” He
through the eyes of went on to say, “The rock
young Betty Webster is locally called the
and her brother Harold “Waffle Rock” because it
during the 1930s as their looks like a giant, oversized
family settled into a breakfast waffle.”
“shanty” just above the Mystery revealed or is
town of Shaw. (Courtesy photo) it? As Betty so eloquently
While their father The Waffle Rock is a big attraction to the thousands of visitors at says, “While it holds such
worked long hours Jennings Randolph Lake each year. a strong fascination for me,
logging virgin timber, I am sure those who visit
youngsters Betty and Harold used nature’s backyard for their and view this piece of the past will come away with a feeling of
playground, hiking with their mother throughout the “boonies.” awe, and will be affected some way with its mystery and
It was one Sunday — a day of worship and rest — when majesty.” No doubt for many of the 118,000 visitors who enjoyed
Betty’s mother discovered “‘her rock.” The “Indian Rock” or Jennings Randolph Lake last year, the famous Waffle Rock
“Mom’s Rock” as it was fondly called, conjured up stories of was a “must see” on their list. They, too, may walk away with
ancient Indians, pow wows, and secret writings for Betty and the same feeling of magic that filled Betty and her family so
her brother; other times it was the source of indecipherable long ago.
Egyptian hieroglyphics. “The most asked question from the thousands of visitors to
Years later, long after Betty had moved away, a series of the West Virginia Overlook is, ‘How did that rock get like that?’”
events brought the rock to the forefront again for her in the said Norm Dennis, park ranger at Jennings Randolph Lake.
mid-1980s. In response to an article she read in the Saturday “We explain the geological formation process and everyone is
Evening Post about unusual rock formations, she wrote a letter amazed that something like the Waffle Rock could be formed
to the editor describing her special rock and sent along a naturally. Invariably, visitor pictures are taken with the rock in
photograph. At the same time, Harold took a trip back to West the background. The Waffle Rock is probably the most curious
Virginia. Upon his return, he confirmed for her what she had and photographed object at Jennings Randolph Lake.”
8 CONSTELLATION
September 2009
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
Safety and Wellness
VPP is coming! VPP is coming! Wait, what is VPP
and why should I care?
By Patrick Morris VPP General Requirements
First and foremost, VPP is an effective, ongoing safety
Safety and Occupational Health Office
and health program. OSHA and USACE believe an
effective safety and health management system is the
Actually VPP is already here! VPP is the Occupa- best way to prevent occupational illnesses and injuries.
tional Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) By meeting performance-based criteria, the VPP partici-
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) which recognizes pant is expected to use a comprehensive system geared
businesses and worksites that show excellence in toward each worksite’s needs. Management leadership
occupational safety and health. Sites are committed to and employee participation, in addition to self evaluations,
effective employee protection beyond the requirements are key elements of this process.
of OSHA standards. VPP participants develop and
implement systems to effectively identify, evaluate, Star
prevent and control occupational hazards to avoid The Star Program is designed for exemplary worksites
employee injuries and illnesses. As a result, the average with comprehensive, successful safety and health man-
VPP worksite has a lost workday incident rate at least agement systems. Companies in the Star Program have
50 percent below the average of its industry. achieved injury and illness rates at or below the national
OK, now you know basically what VPP is, so why average of their respective industries. These sites are
should you be interested and how might it affect you? self-sufficient in their ability to control workplace haz-
The program first opened to federal agency participation ards. Star participants are reevaluated every three to five
in 1997 and the Tobyhanna Army Depot was accepted years, although incident rates are reviewed annually.
into the OSHA VPP in 1999 as a Merit Site. It was the
first Department of Defense activity to be admitted to Merit
this program, and they were able to reduce lost work Merit is an effective stepping stone to Star. Merit sites
days, due to incidents, by 60 percent! Since then, many have good safety and health management systems, but
other federal agencies have jumped on board. The U.S. these systems need some improvement to be judged
Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division excellent. Merit sites demonstrate the potential and the
(NAD), Baltimore District and the National Geospatial- commitment to meet goals tailored to each site and to
Intelligence Agency Integrated Programs Office (NGA achieve Star quality within three years. However, each
IPO) have since signed on to the program. Right now, Merit site is limited to one three-year term unless a
the extremely hard working folks at NGA, along with second term is approved by the Assistant Secretary of
managing the most complex and comprehensive project Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Onsite
within the District, are diligently working towards evaluations occur every 18 to 24 months.
becoming the first Star site within the District and
possibly within NAD. Wait, Star Site, Merit Site? We in the Baltimore District and NGA IPO are
What’s that about? reaching for the Star. We already have a good safety
program and as others have put it, “This will take us from
good to great.” One of the primary elements of the VPP
is leadership and employee involvement. So now that you
know what it is, get involved! For more information and
to get involved, take a look at the NGA IPO VPP shared
site at: https://kme.usace.army.mil/NAD/NAB/VPP/
default.aspx. You can also find the link on the District’s
Checkerboard page under Safety.
CONSTELLATION
September 2009
5
9
District Digest
DISA project making headway...
(Photo on left) Col. Dave Anderson, commander of the Baltimore District, signs the steel beam at the Defense Information
Systems Agency (DISA) Topping Out Ceremony at Fort Meade Aug. 14. (Middle photo) The ceremonial piece of steel is
raised at the DISA headquarters. (Photo on right) Bert Pechhold (right) resident engineer with Baltimore District, briefs
Anderson on the construction status after the ceremony as Mimi (Michelle) Bistany (left), project manager at Fort
Meade, looks on. The one-million-square-foot headquarters will consolidate the operations of approximately 4,000 DISA
employees who presently work in a number of locations in northern Virginia and elsewhere in the United States. “It’s
easy to lose sight of the big picture, but you’re going to read the paper one day, and read about a bad guy being taken
down somewhere around the world and it’s likely because of something that’s going to happen in this building,”
Anderson said to 300 workers and dignitaries who gathered for the event. “This [the DISA complex] is something that’s
going to have a long-lasting impact on our Nation and on our armed forces.”
(Photos by David Ruderman, Public Affairs)
Sen. Robert Casey briefed on Recovery Act project in Scranton
Story and photo
by Fred Furney
Public Affairs Office
Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.), visited the Greenridge section of
Scranton Aug. 3 to get a first hand look at the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in action. Approximately $7.1
million of ARRA funds are being used to complete the third and
final phase of the Scranton local flood protection project.
“This is a good example of how the recovery bill is working
for communities here in Scranton and Lackawanna County and Steve Garbarino (left) project manager, explains why the
across the country,” said Casey. Corps decided to construct the floodwall behind the
The Water Resource and Development Act of 1992 authorized construction trailers to (from left to right) Christopher Doherty,
a 100-year level of protection for the community of Scranton in a mayor of Scranton, Sen. Casey, and Michael Washo,
commissioner for Lackawanna County.
section known as Albright Avenue. The Energy and Water
Development Appropriations Act of 1999 amended the October 2003.
authorization and provided federal funds to design and construct The second phase of the project covered the Plot section
a 100-year level of protection for two additional communities in and the upstream portion of Greenridge. Construction for this
Scranton, Plot and Greenridge. The first phase of construction section was completed in September 2008. The current phase
of the project was for the Albright Avenue section. Construction of the project, known as the Greenridge section, is expected to
was completed and it was turned over to the city of Scranton in (continued on page 11)
10 CONSTELLATION
September 2009
http://www.nab.usace.army.mil
District Digest
This month’s Army Value A tribute to women...
is Personal Courage
The seventh Army Value is Personal Courage.
This Army Value is the ability to face fear,
danger, or adversity, both physical and moral
courage. With physical courage, it is a matter of
enduring physical duress and at times risking
personal safety. Facing moral fear or adversity
may be a long, slow process of continuing on the
right path, especially if taking those actions is
not popular with others. You can build your (Photo by Israel Miller, Engineering Division)
personal courage by standing up for and acting Catherine Pugh, senator for the state of Maryland, speaks to
more than 50 Baltimore District employees and federal
upon the things that you know are
agency employees at the Women’s Equality Day Observance
honorable. Aug. 27. During her presentation, Pugh gave interesting facts
on women who have made a difference in various
career fields and provided statistics on the many
Baltimore District’s successes of women in America. “Women need to
continue to build their own self esteem and we all
“Check It” Program should encourage the women around us to be their
own best friend. We are capable of moving
mountains.” When asked what she thinks her strength
September’s Theme is: is and how she became successful in her career, Pugh
responded, “I am quietly aggressive.”
Suicidal Awareness Scranton visit
C heck
it!
,
¿ ?
(continued from page 10)
ecked
ets ch be completed by January 2011 and will provide
Wh at g done!
• A suicide occurs every 16 • Take the person seriously
minutes
gets •Be a good listener protection to approximately 309 residential and 19 non-
--- •Males are 4 times as likely to
tion.
Preven r 3)
die of suicide •Engage in
Su icide ou convers ation/activity residential structures.
in on y •Suicide is most common
1) Check ily. among the elderly •Call the Employee
sa nd fam Assistance Program (EAP) “This is a challenging project made even more difficult
friend hotline: 1-800-222-0364 (24
Visit hours a day) or (410) 962- with new USACE levee safety requirements following
www.FOH4you.com 4348 (M, T, W)
for more information
Hurricane Katrina,” said Steve Garbarino, project
manager in the Programs and Project Management
Division. “The fact that these requirements were
successfully incorporated into the levee and floodwall
design during construction speaks volumes to the
• Suicidal Threats
•Discouraging
• Ending a adaptability of the project team.”
relationship
Statements
•Changes in Upon completion, the entire project will have cost
•Ambiguous Goodbye routine
•Increased •Decline in work
more than $86 million and encompass 21,250 feet of
Moodiness performance
•Persistent Boredom •Giving away
levee and floodwalls, seven closure structures, utility
•Sudden important and roadway relocations, interior drainage structures
cheerfulness after possessions
despondency and an improved flood forecast and warning system.
CONSTELLATION
September 2009
11 5
5
Related docs
