The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commanding General Maj. Gen. Joseph Caravalho Jr. recognized Fort Detrick's continued commitment to sustainable, cost-effective stewardship by signing an updated Environmental Policy Oct. 2.

Army policy requires applicable installations to institute an International Organization for Standardization 14001 conforming Environmental Management System. The EMS, in turn, requires organizations to draft an environmental policy statement that captures its commitment to meeting EMS requirements.

Fort Detrick's environmental policy requires tenants to understand how their job can affect the quality of the environment. It commits personnel to comply with all applicable regulations, prevent pollution, and seek opportunities to use garrison resources in a sustainable manner.

The updated policy requires mission partners and garrison directorates to designate an environmental officer, and an alternate, to administer an environmental program within their organization. The appointed environmental officer's responsibilities range from ensuring compliance with installation sustainability, pollution prevention and recycling programs, to participating in periodic environmental inspections conducted by the Environmental Management Office. Designated environmental officers will also be responsible for facilitating the integration of the installation EMS into their organization's operational practices by serving on the EMS Implementation Team.

Fort Detrick attained ISO 14001 standard compliance in May 2009 and continues to maintain its accreditation while fully supporting mission readiness.

To view the Fort Detrick Environmental Policy online go to http://www.detrick.army.mil/emo/index.cfm. For more information on Fort Detrick's environmental program contact Karrie Reckley at karrie.e.reckley.civ@mail.mil, or (301) 619-1266.