The development of a new Environmental Management System (EMS) Auditing seminar is now complete at the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Civil Engineer and Services School. The seminar goes on the road starting in February 2007, when it will be presented at Scott AFB to all of the AMC EMS base-level managers. The AETC EMS managers have tentatively been scheduled to receive this three-and-a-half day seminar in June at Tyndall AFB.

Every installation in the federal government was required to establish an EMS no later than December 2005 in accordance with Executive Order 13148, Greening the Government through Leadership in Environmental Management. A core requirement of EMS is that the system must undergo periodic audits to ensure that all system elements are in place, that the system is operating as intended, and that it is providing benefit to the organization. EMS auditing is very different from environmental compliance audits, which the Air Force has been conducting for nearly 20 years, so specialized training is required. To meet the immediate need for this training, AETC funded contractor-provided EMS training in FY05. At the request of the Air Force Environmental Education and Review committee, the School’s Department of Environmental Management (AFIT/CEV) has now developed an equivalent training class focused specifically on Air Force installations.

“I get calls and emails every single week from people across the Air Force who are looking for guidance on their EMS and on auditing, and this new seminar will help fill the knowledge void that’s currently out there,” said course director and primary instructor Connie Strobbe. It is likely that the new seminar will become an official course in the next year or two, which will enable students to receive continuing education units for attending. The highly interactive course relies heavily on class exercises involving a realistic case study to provide students with hands-on experience at accurately interpreting and auditing a base’s EMS against Air Force standards.

In addition to developing new training for Air Force EMS auditors, AFIT/CEV has also been assisting HQ USAF/A7CVQ in the development of the new AFI for ESOHMS, AFI 90-802, Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Management System (ESOHMS). As with so many programs in the Air Force, EMS is moving from a strictly environmental program to one that includes safety and occupational health. When this AFI is formally issued, the EMS Auditing seminar will immediately transition to an ESOHMS Auditing seminar. By being closely involved in the development of the new AFI, AFIT/CE staff members are able to prepare necessary updates so the courses always reflect the latest Air Force programs and policies.

While this course is presently being offered only as on-site training, it will eventually be offered as an AFIT resident class. It will be offered a minimum of three times per year.