Cubs go to DNREC

Last Wednesday evening, I had the opportunity to introduce the boys and their parents to my Environmental Response and Enforcement co-workers. Protection Officer Sgt. David Moyer and Responder Jamie Bethard opened the command central building and invited our cubscouts to see what their offices looked like, how they used their equipment on their vehicles, and the cool stuff they use in environmental emergency situations.

I arrived at the building with Matt about 6:40 to see if I could help setup for the outreach session. I knew that if an emergency happened these men would lock up, jump in their vehicles, and we'd call it off for the evening. Luckily, no overturned gas trucks, oil spill, hazardous railroad car issues this evening. At 7pm in the evening it was windy and cold (low 50s). As soon as Jamie arrived (after attending an all day conference in Baltimore, MD) he started up the big trucks and ran their lights! Sgt. Moyers (being sick as a dog and loosing his voice) began pulling out some equipment inside. I was getting excited and really felt so proud to give our cubs an opportunity to see these guys in action! I love helping them with their computers, because I get to climb in their vehicles and talk shop with them about what emergencies have occurred!

The Environmental Protection Officer (EPO) is a sworn trained policeman that enforces our environmental regulations. He can also give you a speeding ticket and is armed! The Enviromental Responder has an amazing knowledge of hazardous materials/substances and can react quickly to get the public out of harms way. Jamie is also a fireman when not working! I love and respect this specific team. There are 12 EPOs and 3 ERs for the entire state of Delaware.

After the talk inside, we were chomping at the bit to see the vehicles. We looked in side all the drawers, side panels, and behind the wheel! Better yet, we got a ride around the parking lot and in and out of the ditches in the all terrain vehicle. I felt like a cubscout by then end of the night!