Environmental Managment Systems are an important part of mission success Published Nov. 15, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Cortney Paxton 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- [Editor's Note: This is part one of a three-part series. The second part will highlight some of Malmstrom's aspects and impacts on the environment. Part three will discuss the objectives and targets for resolving the environmental impacts] The Air Force has adopted set standards and regulations to help keep its Airmen safe, healthy and happy. One of these adopted standards is each specific base's Environmental Management System Policy - a policy that outlines the risks associated with environmental impacts and costs. The 341st Missile Wing environmental policy states: "The effective management of environmental risks and costs is essential to achieve the 341st Missile Wing mission - to keep America free and strong by providing 'combat-ready people and nuclear forces.' The Malmstrom Environmental Management System focuses resources where they will have the most beneficial impact. EMS is a continuous process of identification, prioritization, planning, implementation, checking, corrective action and management review. All members of Team Malmstrom should know how their duties impact the mission and the environment." Reducing the environmental impacts from base activities requires a consistent method of identifying and improving environmental performances within an organization's activities, products and services. Knowing an organization's impact on the environment is the responsibility of everyone in that unit - if all Airmen comply with the standards of environmental management, impacts on the environment can be minimized. "Wing activities can have a large impact on the environment," Carpenter said. "For example, we drive millions of miles in the missile field each year, and the emissions from our vehicles can affect the air quality in Montana." There are a few ways for Airmen to become familiar with Environmental Management Systems. The most important step for Airmen to take toward following environmental standards is to know and follow the base's EMS Policy. While the policy is generalized to meet requirements of the wider base mission, each organization should also have specific environmental management procedures. Airmen should get to know these as well. The final way Airmen of Team Malmstrom can learn about EMS procedures is to take the EMS training class on the Advanced Distributed Learning Service, located on the Air Force Portal. This training is 15 minutes long and is highly recommended for all Air Force personnel. It can be found in the ADLS course list under "Miscellaneous" and is titled "Environmental Management Systems General Awareness Training." "The training in ADLS is something we'd like everybody to take," Carpenter said. "It's a great resource for the Airmen on base, and is a quick and easy way to learn about the importance of environmental management." Next week's issue of the Guardian will include specific aspects and impacts on the environment that Malmstrom is currently seeking to improve. For more information or questions on EMS policies, contact Carpenter at 731-6448.