SPOKANE, Wash. -- Fairchild Air Force Base partnered with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, the Environmental Protection Agency, Washington Department of Ecology and Spokane Regional Health District to hold a perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance listening session at Shriner’s Event Center in Spokane, Washington, April 24, 2024.
The West Plains, Airway Heights and Spokane communities voiced their concerns about PFAS and opened dialogue between a panel of experts from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron, the EPA, Washington State Department of Ecology, Spokane Regional Health District and members of the communities.
“I’m a pilot and by no means the expert in things like this,” said Col. Chesley Dycus, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. “My hope is that everyone leaves here today with an understanding that we are working together to address the impacts of PFAS in the Spokane community.”
The session showcased the whole-of-government approach to address PFAS-related issues and maintain open dialogue with community members and stakeholders.
“My Airmen, the many civilian employees in my squadron who call Spokane home and my family are all a part of this local community,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Needham, 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “We share your concerns about PFAS and want to work together to address this problem.”
The panel consisted of Dr. Laura Beulow, Environmental Protection Agency region 10 manager, Nicholas Acklam, Washington State Department of Ecology toxics cleanup program section manager, Dr. Bri Brinkman, Washington State Department of Ecology toxics cleanup program site manager, Dr. Francisco Velazquez, Spokane Reginal Health District administration health officer, Mark Loucks, Air Force Civil Engineer Center chief of environmental restoration and Lt. Col. Jonathan Needham, 92nd CES commander.