WEBVTT 00:00.491 --> 00:02.390 - Hi, I'm Senior Airman Mika Weller, 00:02.390 --> 00:04.142 and I'm from the Wing Public Affairs Office 00:04.142 --> 00:05.966 from Fairchild Air Force Base. 00:05.966 --> 00:08.387 I'm here today at the 92nd Medical Group 00:08.387 --> 00:12.470 with Major Helene and Lieutenant Colonel Lazenby. 00:14.294 --> 00:16.611 So, we're going to be talking about 00:16.611 --> 00:19.932 the hazardous condition that we have in the air 00:19.932 --> 00:22.904 recently because of all the forest fires 00:22.904 --> 00:25.779 that we've been experiencing in our areas. 00:25.779 --> 00:29.946 So, is there anything that you guys would like to add 00:30.224 --> 00:32.974 as far as the conditions outside? 00:33.372 --> 00:35.955 I mean we're being told to wear 00:36.437 --> 00:39.860 masks so that we don't have respiratory issues. 00:39.860 --> 00:42.631 - Yeah, so thanks for the great question. 00:42.631 --> 00:46.798 Welcome back from the nice long weekend to Ash Wednesday. 00:47.656 --> 00:49.840 We wanted to emphasize a few things. 00:49.840 --> 00:51.923 So, with the air quality, 00:53.232 --> 00:55.917 Colonel Samuelson sent out an email this morning to the Wing 00:55.917 --> 00:59.917 emphasizing the importance of safety of everyone 00:59.945 --> 01:03.043 and how we need to mitigate the risk of the 01:03.043 --> 01:04.627 particulate matter that's in the air. 01:04.627 --> 01:06.173 So, the people that are most at risk 01:06.173 --> 01:08.625 are people with lung disease and the old and young. 01:08.625 --> 01:11.155 And I can talk about that in a little bit, in a minute. 01:11.155 --> 01:12.447 I'm going to turn it over to our 01:12.447 --> 01:14.780 Bioenvironmental Engineer Specialist 01:14.780 --> 01:16.467 to give us some more information. 01:16.467 --> 01:17.785 - Hi, good morning, Fairchild. 01:17.785 --> 01:19.814 I just wanted to start off and tell everybody 01:19.814 --> 01:22.897 the current air quality index is 233. 01:22.920 --> 01:26.808 That is monitored at the Airways Heights Monitoring Station. 01:26.808 --> 01:29.300 So, what does 233 mean on the air quality index? 01:29.300 --> 01:30.952 That means it's very unhealthy. 01:30.952 --> 01:34.998 That includes very unhealthy for even healthy individuals. 01:34.998 --> 01:38.060 It is the second highest tier on the air quality index. 01:38.060 --> 01:39.202 So, what are our recommendations 01:39.202 --> 01:41.859 when we get into the very unhealthy category? 01:41.859 --> 01:44.143 First and foremost, we recommend that you curtail 01:44.143 --> 01:46.968 all non-mission essential outdoor activities. 01:46.968 --> 01:48.851 So, if you're not required to be outside today, 01:48.851 --> 01:50.128 you stay indoors. 01:50.128 --> 01:53.996 You put those air conditioning systems on recirculate. 01:53.996 --> 01:55.511 And then if you must be outdoors, 01:55.511 --> 01:57.019 there's a couple of recommendations. 01:57.019 --> 01:59.336 One, increase worker rotation. 01:59.336 --> 02:01.992 So, limit that time spent outdoors. 02:01.992 --> 02:05.366 And then two, we're recommending N95 respirators. 02:05.366 --> 02:07.835 Now that is a specific type of respirator. 02:07.835 --> 02:10.832 It will have an N95 rating on it by the 02:10.832 --> 02:13.245 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 02:13.245 --> 02:14.912 or NIOSH N95 rating. 02:16.441 --> 02:18.933 Here's an example of an N95 respirator. 02:18.933 --> 02:22.005 Our technicians are coordinating with agencies on base 02:22.005 --> 02:26.172 right now to hand those out to units working outdoors today. 02:26.364 --> 02:29.112 And the importance of an N95 respirator 02:29.112 --> 02:32.500 is the seal that it will get on your face. 02:32.500 --> 02:33.804 So, when you apply it to your face, 02:33.804 --> 02:36.729 you see you get a good seal around the entire mask. 02:36.729 --> 02:40.852 And here's an example of a paper mask, not N95 rated, 02:40.852 --> 02:43.802 something you might get at your local hardware store. 02:43.802 --> 02:46.052 And then the N95-rated one. 02:46.185 --> 02:49.005 So, we want to seek out these N95 masks 02:49.005 --> 02:50.245 and not these other masks. 02:50.245 --> 02:52.223 They won't provide the level of protection you need 02:52.223 --> 02:54.140 for the wildfire smoke. 02:54.792 --> 02:57.875 So again, curtail outdoor activities. 02:58.048 --> 03:01.020 When we must be outdoors, increase worker rotation. 03:01.020 --> 03:03.687 And wear an N95 respirator mask. 03:03.875 --> 03:05.185 Go ahead and limit your PT 03:05.185 --> 03:09.352 or just curtail PT until the air quality improves. 03:09.585 --> 03:11.384 And for updates on the air quality, 03:11.384 --> 03:14.324 you can reach out to Spokane Clean Air Agency's website. 03:14.324 --> 03:15.661 You can go ahead and Google that. 03:15.661 --> 03:19.288 And we're tracking the Airways Heights Monitoring Station. 03:19.288 --> 03:21.054 We are very unhealthy right now, 03:21.054 --> 03:23.260 and Colonel Lazenby has a little bit more on that. 03:23.260 --> 03:26.068 - Yeah, so if you have anybody that you're concerned about 03:26.068 --> 03:27.775 because they're experiencing symptoms, 03:27.775 --> 03:29.218 particularly if they have a known 03:29.218 --> 03:31.242 respiratory illness like asthma, 03:31.242 --> 03:33.831 please contact your PCM if you're enrolled here 03:33.831 --> 03:35.337 at the 92nd Medical Group 03:35.337 --> 03:37.691 so that we can evaluate the severity of your symptoms 03:37.691 --> 03:39.293 and then treat you accordingly. 03:39.293 --> 03:41.644 People have asked, is there a need to be seen 03:41.644 --> 03:43.216 just because of the smoke in the air? 03:43.216 --> 03:44.571 And the answer to that is no. 03:44.571 --> 03:46.089 It really is symptom-based. 03:46.089 --> 03:47.624 And the people that are most at risk 03:47.624 --> 03:50.878 for having a negative effect of the air quality 03:50.878 --> 03:52.834 are those that are young, those that are old, 03:52.834 --> 03:55.504 and those that have a known cardiovascular 03:55.504 --> 03:56.952 or respiratory illness. 03:56.952 --> 03:58.435 So, please let us know if you have a concern 03:58.435 --> 04:00.349 so we can get you taken care of, 04:00.349 --> 04:02.832 and please stay safe and minimize your exposure. 04:02.832 --> 04:05.660 The amount of exposure you'll get coming to and from 04:05.660 --> 04:07.593 a doctor's appointment, going to the store, 04:07.593 --> 04:09.537 or going to school is minimal 04:09.537 --> 04:12.105 and shouldn't cause any problems, 04:12.105 --> 04:16.188 but just avoid extended periods of time outdoors. 04:18.776 --> 04:21.284 - All right, so if you need more information, 04:21.284 --> 04:23.728 just make sure that you stay tuned with us 04:23.728 --> 04:27.811 on our Fairchild Air Force Base page on Facebook. 04:28.005 --> 04:30.570 Just make sure that if you need any updates, 04:30.570 --> 04:32.569 we will be trying to get them out there 04:32.569 --> 04:33.762 as soon as we have them. 04:33.762 --> 04:35.312 As soon as we get more information, 04:35.312 --> 04:38.768 we'll be putting them out there for your information 04:38.768 --> 04:41.185 just so you can stay updated. 04:42.423 --> 04:44.979 Is there anything that you guys would like to add 04:44.979 --> 04:48.812 as far as who people can contact or what to do 04:49.368 --> 04:51.285 if they have questions. 04:53.843 --> 04:55.392 Team Fairchild members can absolutely reach out 04:55.392 --> 04:57.688 to the bioenvironmental engineering office. 04:57.688 --> 04:59.605 Our number is 247-2391. 05:00.518 --> 05:02.097 And we'll be happy to answer any questions 05:02.097 --> 05:04.219 you have as it relates to respirators 05:04.219 --> 05:06.992 or recommendations for your workers. 05:06.992 --> 05:09.215 - Any active duty members or family members 05:09.215 --> 05:12.075 that are enrolled here at the 92nd Medical Group, 05:12.075 --> 05:13.633 please call the appointment line 05:13.633 --> 05:15.773 and seek medical care as you normally would. 05:15.773 --> 05:19.356 For those people who are enrolled off-base, 05:19.650 --> 05:21.336 please contact your primary care physician 05:21.336 --> 05:23.138 if you're experiencing any symptoms 05:23.138 --> 05:25.471 that you're concerned about. 05:25.536 --> 05:27.238 - All right, well thank you for watching, 05:27.238 --> 05:28.982 and remember, stay tuned. 05:28.982 --> 05:30.450 If you need more information, 05:30.450 --> 05:32.114 we will have more as it comes out. 05:32.114 --> 05:33.512 Thank you so much for joining us. 05:33.512 --> 05:34.526 We really appreciate it. 05:34.526 --> 05:35.458 - Thanks a lot, it's a pleasure. 05:35.458 --> 05:36.291 - Thank you.