US Public Health Service Engineers 1913 - 2013 100 Years of Service

The BeginningThe Beginning•1798 – Marine Hospital Service 1798 – Marine Hospital Service established, the forerunner of the established, the forerunner of the Public Health Service.Public Health Service.

•1871 – Dr. John Maynard, first 1871 – Dr. John Maynard, first Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service. The position was Hospital Service. The position was renamed Surgeon General in 1873.renamed Surgeon General in 1873.

•1889 – The United States Public 1889 – The United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Health Service Commissioned Corps was established by legislation.was established by legislation.

History of The United States Public Health Service Engineers


Call for EngineersCall for Engineers•1912 – Marine Hospital Service 1912 – Marine Hospital Service renamed to the Public Health renamed to the Public Health Service.Service.

•1913 – Public Health Service 1913 – Public Health Service retained its first engineer, Harry retained its first engineer, Harry Letton to solve sanitation issues.Letton to solve sanitation issues.

•1914 – PHS engineers developed 1914 – PHS engineers developed the first drinking water standards the first drinking water standards and launched major campaigns to and launched major campaigns to decrease malaria cases.decrease malaria cases.



MilitarizationMilitarization•1917 – The PHS was militarized during 1917 – The PHS was militarized during World War I to contain outbreaks of World War I to contain outbreaks of disease in and around military installations disease in and around military installations and war industry sites.and war industry sites.

•1918 – The PHS was authorized to recruit 1918 – The PHS was authorized to recruit engineers into its reserve Commissioned engineers into its reserve Commissioned Corps. In addition to addressing sanitation Corps. In addition to addressing sanitation issues, PHS engineers expanded their role issues, PHS engineers expanded their role into addressing industrial hygiene issues.into addressing industrial hygiene issues.

•1930 –Parker Act authorized the Public 1930 –Parker Act authorized the Public Health Service to assimilate engineers into Health Service to assimilate engineers into its Regular Corps. its Regular Corps.



MilitarizationMilitarization•1941 – In preparation for World War II, 1941 – In preparation for World War II, PHS engineers were detailed to the Office PHS engineers were detailed to the Office of Civilian Defense to help control malaria of Civilian Defense to help control malaria and solve sanitation deficiencies around and solve sanitation deficiencies around military facilities and critical war military facilities and critical war industries.industries.

•1941 – 1945 –PHS engineering officers 1941 – 1945 –PHS engineering officers served with the U.S. Coast Guard and Army served with the U.S. Coast Guard and Army overseas.overseas.

•1946 – Communicable Disease Center, the 1946 – Communicable Disease Center, the forerunner of the Center for Disease forerunner of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention was formed Control and Prevention was formed focused on fighting malaria.focused on fighting malaria.



Environmental FocusEnvironmental Focus•1948 – First air quality disaster 1948 – First air quality disaster investigation conducted by a PHS investigation conducted by a PHS team of 25 engineers, doctors and team of 25 engineers, doctors and scientists in Donora, Pennsylvania.scientists in Donora, Pennsylvania.

•1953 – PHS engineers conducted 1953 – PHS engineers conducted investigations in all areas of health investigations in all areas of health including food safety, sanitation, including food safety, sanitation, and radiological healthand radiological health

•1955 – Indian Health Service 1955 – Indian Health Service formed to improve public health and formed to improve public health and welfare of American Indians and welfare of American Indians and Alaska Natives with sanitation Alaska Natives with sanitation deficiencies deficiencies



Environmental and Industrial Environmental and Industrial FocusFocus

•1970’s1970’s

–EPA was formed to research, EPA was formed to research, monitor, set standards, and enforce monitor, set standards, and enforce regulations to ensure regulations to ensure environmental……. environmental…….

–NIOSH was formed to conduct NIOSH was formed to conduct research and make research and make recommendations for the prevention recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness.of work-related injury and illness.

•1985 – ATSDR was formed focused on 1985 – ATSDR was formed focused on minimizing health risks from exposure minimizing health risks from exposure to hazardous substances.to hazardous substances.



20012001

• World Trade Center DisasterWorld Trade Center Disaster

• Anthrax attacksAnthrax attacks

20042004

• Tsunami/earthquake Tsunami/earthquake IndonesiaIndonesia

2005 Hurrican Rita/Katrina2005 Hurrican Rita/Katrina

2006 2006

• earthquakes in Hawaiiearthquakes in Hawaii

• Medicine contamination in Medicine contamination in PanamaPanama

20082008• Hurricanes Gustav and IkeHurricanes Gustav and Ike

National ResponseNational Response

20092009

• Tsunami/earthquake Tsunami/earthquake American SamoaAmerican Samoa

2010 2010

• Earthquake HaitiEarthquake Haiti

• Deepwater HorizonDeepwater Horizon

20112011

• Tsunami in JapanTsunami in Japan

• Hurricane IreneHurricane Irene

20122012• Hurricane Isaac and SandyHurricane Isaac and Sandy

• Sandy Hook ElementarySandy Hook Elementary



The Chief EngineersThe Chief Engineers•1943 -1948 – RADM John Hoskins, P.E. was 1943 -1948 – RADM John Hoskins, P.E. was appointed as the 1appointed as the 1stst Chief Engineer because Chief Engineer because of the importance of engineering in public of the importance of engineering in public health.health.

•1948-1961 – RADM Mark Hollis, P.E. was the 1948-1961 – RADM Mark Hollis, P.E. was the 22ndnd Chief Engineer. A civil engineer, he Chief Engineer. A civil engineer, he practiced sanitary engineering and was the practiced sanitary engineering and was the first director of the Communicable Disease first director of the Communicable Disease Center.Center.

•1962-1966 – RADM Callis Atkins, P.E. was the 1962-1966 – RADM Callis Atkins, P.E. was the 33rdrd Chief Engineer. He was a civil engineer and Chief Engineer. He was a civil engineer and served in a variety of environmental programs served in a variety of environmental programs throughout the United States and abroad.throughout the United States and abroad.



The Chief EngineersThe Chief Engineers•1966-1970 – RADM Albert Stevenson, P.E. was 1966-1970 – RADM Albert Stevenson, P.E. was the 4the 4thth Chief Engineer (1966-1970). He was an Chief Engineer (1966-1970). He was an environmental and sanitation engineer and environmental and sanitation engineer and helped the development of the Robert A. Taft helped the development of the Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center.Sanitary Engineering Center.

•1970-1973 – RADM Richard Green, P.E. was 1970-1973 – RADM Richard Green, P.E. was the 5the 5thth Chief Engineer (1970-1973). Much of Chief Engineer (1970-1973). Much of his career was devoted to water pollution his career was devoted to water pollution control.control.

•1974-1985 – RADM Ian Burgess, P.E. was the 1974-1985 – RADM Ian Burgess, P.E. was the 66thth Chief Engineer. His work in facilities Chief Engineer. His work in facilities planning and management set a standard for planning and management set a standard for effective application of engineering effective application of engineering professionalism in the Federal health service.professionalism in the Federal health service.



The Chief EngineersThe Chief Engineers•1985-1989 – RADM John Villforth, C.H.P, 1985-1989 – RADM John Villforth, C.H.P, was the 7was the 7thth Chief Engineer. He is Chief Engineer. He is recognized by his peers throughout the recognized by his peers throughout the global community as one of the most global community as one of the most outstanding radiological health specialists outstanding radiological health specialists of the 20th century. In 2000, the John C. of the 20th century. In 2000, the John C. Villforth Leadership Award was established Villforth Leadership Award was established by the US PHS Engineers in his honor.by the US PHS Engineers in his honor.

•1989-1993 – RADM Bill Pearson, P.E. was 1989-1993 – RADM Bill Pearson, P.E. was the 8the 8thth Chief Engineer. His professional Chief Engineer. His professional career in the PHS was devoted entirely to career in the PHS was devoted entirely to serving American Indians and Alaska serving American Indians and Alaska Natives while assigned to the Indian Health Natives while assigned to the Indian Health ServiceService



The Chief EngineersThe Chief Engineers•1995-1999– RADM Thomas Gallegos, P.E., was the 1995-1999– RADM Thomas Gallegos, P.E., was the 88thth Chief Engineer. He spent 25 years in the Chief Engineer. He spent 25 years in the uniformed services of the United States, 23 as a uniformed services of the United States, 23 as a Commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, Commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, working primarily for the Indian Health Service.working primarily for the Indian Health Service.

•1999-2005 – RADM Robert Williams, P.E. was the 1999-2005 – RADM Robert Williams, P.E. was the 99thth Chief Engineer. During his service as Chief Chief Engineer. During his service as Chief Engineer, he assumed additional duties as Chief Engineer, he assumed additional duties as Chief Operations Officer of the Commissioned Corps Operations Officer of the Commissioned Corps with responsibilities for the direction and with responsibilities for the direction and management of the office of the Surgeon General. management of the office of the Surgeon General. That included the areas of Science and That included the areas of Science and Communications, Force Readiness and Communications, Force Readiness and Deployment, Reserve Affairs, Commissioned Corps Deployment, Reserve Affairs, Commissioned Corps Operations and Military Liaison and Veterans Operations and Military Liaison and Veterans AffairsAffairs



The Chief EngineersThe Chief Engineers•2005-2009– RADM Richard Barror, P.E., was the 2005-2009– RADM Richard Barror, P.E., was the 1111thth Chief Engineer. He spent the majority of his Chief Engineer. He spent the majority of his PHS engineering career with the Indian Health PHS engineering career with the Indian Health Service . He also served as the Chief of Staff of the Service . He also served as the Chief of Staff of the OSG and later Senior Engineer Advisor in the Office OSG and later Senior Engineer Advisor in the Office of the Commissioner of the FDA prior to his of the Commissioner of the FDA prior to his appointment as Chief Engineer.appointment as Chief Engineer.

•2009-Present – RADM Sven Rodenbeck, P.E. is the 2009-Present – RADM Sven Rodenbeck, P.E. is the 1212thth Chief Engineer. As the PHS Chief Engineer, he Chief Engineer. As the PHS Chief Engineer, he provides advice and consultation on public health provides advice and consultation on public health engineering matters to the Surgeon General and to engineering matters to the Surgeon General and to over 1,200 PHS engineers and architects. He is over 1,200 PHS engineers and architects. He is also the Deputy Branch Chief for the Cooperative also the Deputy Branch Chief for the Cooperative Agreement Program Evaluation Branch at the Agreement Program Evaluation Branch at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).(ATSDR).



Engineer Professional Advisory Committee Engineer Professional Advisory Committee (EPAC)(EPAC)

•October 1962, the Surgeon General established October 1962, the Surgeon General established the Engineer Career Development Committee the Engineer Career Development Committee (ECDC)(ECDC)

•ECDC ObjectivesECDC Objectives

– Assist the PHS in determining engineering manpower Assist the PHS in determining engineering manpower requirement,requirement,

– To improve the recruitment and retention of PHS To improve the recruitment and retention of PHS engineersengineers

– To maximize career development for the individual To maximize career development for the individual engineer through counseling training, rotational engineer through counseling training, rotational assignments, etc.assignments, etc.

•ECDC reestablished as EPAC in 1983 and again in ECDC reestablished as EPAC in 1983 and again in 19881988




•EPAC provides advice and consultation to the Chief EPAC provides advice and consultation to the Chief Engineer who then reports to the SG on matters Engineer who then reports to the SG on matters relating to the professional activities and personnel relating to the professional activities and personnel issues of PHS engineers.issues of PHS engineers.

•EPAC acts in the interest of Civil Service and EPAC acts in the interest of Civil Service and Commissioned Corps engineers and architects.Commissioned Corps engineers and architects.

•For PHS Engineers,For PHS Engineers,

– EPAC acts as a link and information source for distinct PHS EPAC acts as a link and information source for distinct PHS engineer disciplines.engineer disciplines.

– Provides advice and assistance on engineer staffing issues,Provides advice and assistance on engineer staffing issues,

– Acts as a primary resource for engineer career Acts as a primary resource for engineer career developmentdevelopment

– Communicates and encourages use of awards/recognition Communicates and encourages use of awards/recognition systemsystem




•EPAC is organized into 9 subcommittees, headed EPAC is organized into 9 subcommittees, headed by the Chair person with up to 20 and no less than by the Chair person with up to 20 and no less than 7 voting members.7 voting members.

•Subcommittees:Subcommittees:



•AwardsAwards

•Career DevelopmentCareer Development

•Deployment Readiness Deployment Readiness PreparednessPreparedness

•InformationInformation

•MentoringMentoring

•Public Health Engineering Public Health Engineering PracticePractice

•Recruitment & RetentionRecruitment & Retention

•RulesRules

•Special EventsSpecial Events


•Awards SubcommitteeAwards Subcommittee

– Evaluate award nominations submitted to the EPACEvaluate award nominations submitted to the EPAC

– Prepare guide/schedule of annual award nominationsPrepare guide/schedule of annual award nominations

– Draft memoranda recognizing outgoing EPAC Members, Draft memoranda recognizing outgoing EPAC Members, EPAC Chairperson, and CPO upon the expiration of EPAC Chairperson, and CPO upon the expiration of appointmentsappointments

– Develop draft example award write-ups for engineers' Develop draft example award write-ups for engineers' supervisors to assist them in submitting award supervisors to assist them in submitting award nominationsnominations




•Career Development SubcommitteeCareer Development Subcommittee

– Develop resources to promote the professional Develop resources to promote the professional development of PHS engineers and architects by development of PHS engineers and architects by addressing issues such as: billets, CVs, promotions, addressing issues such as: billets, CVs, promotions, performance evaluations, pay and allowances, leadership performance evaluations, pay and allowances, leadership development, and trainingdevelopment, and training

– Plan and organize career development seminarsPlan and organize career development seminars

– Publish information on engineer career opportunitiesPublish information on engineer career opportunities

– Manage the PHS Engineer and Architect Welcome ProgramManage the PHS Engineer and Architect Welcome Program




•Deployment Readiness Preparedness Deployment Readiness Preparedness SubcommitteeSubcommittee

– Assist and promote the effective use of engineers in Assist and promote the effective use of engineers in response to emergencies affecting public healthresponse to emergencies affecting public health

– Inform PHS engineers about and assist with emergency Inform PHS engineers about and assist with emergency response training opportunities and deployment response training opportunities and deployment processesprocesses

– Coordinate the EPAC representation to the Commissioned Coordinate the EPAC representation to the Commissioned Corps Readiness ForceCorps Readiness Force

– Promote coordination among related disciplines and Promote coordination among related disciplines and Agencies to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to public Agencies to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to public health emergency responsehealth emergency response




•Information SubcommitteeInformation Subcommittee

– Manage the PHS Engineer web siteManage the PHS Engineer web site

– Develop and publish the EPAC newsletterDevelop and publish the EPAC newsletter

– Facilitate information exchange within the Engineer Facilitate information exchange within the Engineer categorycategory

– Promote EPAC activities through information distributionPromote EPAC activities through information distribution




•Public Health Engineering Practice SubcommitteePublic Health Engineering Practice Subcommittee

– Provide leadership for PHS engineers to identify and Provide leadership for PHS engineers to identify and disseminate best public health engineering practicedisseminate best public health engineering practice

– Present public health engineering practice issues, with Present public health engineering practice issues, with analysis, information and possible solutions to the analysis, information and possible solutions to the Engineer Professional Advisory CommitteeEngineer Professional Advisory Committee




•Recruitment & Retention SubcommitteeRecruitment & Retention Subcommittee

– Assist with COSTEP issuesAssist with COSTEP issues

– Coordinate special pay and incentivesCoordinate special pay and incentives

– Career Opportunities Pamphlet updateCareer Opportunities Pamphlet update

– Identify Agency recruiting contactsIdentify Agency recruiting contacts

– Coordinate and advise Agency (or PHS) recruiting contacts Coordinate and advise Agency (or PHS) recruiting contacts on engineer-specific information needed for effective on engineer-specific information needed for effective recruitmentrecruitment




•Rules SubcommitteeRules Subcommittee

– Review of EPAC member nominations and apportion of Review of EPAC member nominations and apportion of EPAC voting seatsEPAC voting seats

– Update the Engineer Bylaws as necessaryUpdate the Engineer Bylaws as necessary

– Conduct a tri-annual reevaluation of the EPAC CharterConduct a tri-annual reevaluation of the EPAC Charter




•Special Events SubcommitteeSpecial Events Subcommittee

– Advise the EPAC on matters related to planning and Advise the EPAC on matters related to planning and implementing the Category Day Agendaimplementing the Category Day Agenda

– Develop Category Day Agenda, including identifying Develop Category Day Agenda, including identifying appropriate speakers for the USPHS Scientific Training appropriate speakers for the USPHS Scientific Training SymposiumSymposium

– Develop and distribute publicity flyers to PHS engineers Develop and distribute publicity flyers to PHS engineers and the public Publish the Category Day program bookletand the public Publish the Category Day program booklet

– Coordinate Category Day program with the COF Coordinate Category Day program with the COF Conference Planning CommitteeConference Planning Committee

– Manage Category Day activities during the symposiumManage Category Day activities during the symposium

– Complete all after-action items to ensure all presenters Complete all after-action items to ensure all presenters are properly recognized and honorariums or other are properly recognized and honorariums or other expenses paid by COFexpenses paid by COF



Our MissionOur Mission•Provide sound engineering expertise in support of Provide sound engineering expertise in support of specific organization / agency objectives.specific organization / agency objectives.

•Use engineering skills to protect the American public and Use engineering skills to protect the American public and to research and identify solutions to the many health to research and identify solutions to the many health related problems that face our nation.related problems that face our nation.

•Provide assistance directly to the American people in the Provide assistance directly to the American people in the form of professional consultation and the provision of form of professional consultation and the provision of health related facilities.health related facilities.



Where we workWhere we work•Indian Health ServiceIndian Health Service

•Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration

•Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency

•Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

•Department of InteriorDepartment of Interior

•Office of the Surgeon GeneralOffice of the Surgeon General

•National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health

•Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

•Other HHS and non HHS agencies.Other HHS and non HHS agencies.



Public Health Engineer Public Health Engineer Centennial Achievements Centennial Achievements

•Safe drinking waterSafe drinking water

•Control of infectious diseasesControl of infectious diseases

•Safer foodsSafer foods

•Motor vehicle safetyMotor vehicle safety

•Worker safetyWorker safety



Where we workWhere we work•Indian Health ServiceIndian Health Service

•Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration

•Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency

•Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and Prevention

•Department of InteriorDepartment of Interior

•Office of the Surgeon GeneralOffice of the Surgeon General

•National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health

•Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease RegistryAgency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

•Other HHS and non HHS agencies.Other HHS and non HHS agencies.



Our DisciplinesOur Disciplines•Civil/EnvironmentalCivil/Environmental

•MechanicalMechanical

•ElectricalElectrical

•ChemicalChemical

•Computer ScienceComputer Science

•BiomedicalBiomedical

•BioengineeringBioengineering

•NuclearNuclear



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at IHS Sanitation Facilities Construction PHS engineers at IHS Sanitation Facilities Construction Program provide engineering, project and construction Program provide engineering, project and construction management services.management services.



What We DoWhat We Do•At CDC engineers research and lead health related At CDC engineers research and lead health related engineering programs.engineering programs.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at NIOSH work in many environments PHS engineers at NIOSH work in many environments from the laboratory to the field.from the laboratory to the field.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at ATSDR assess and advise populations PHS engineers at ATSDR assess and advise populations near Superfund sites of their environmental health near Superfund sites of their environmental health risks.risks.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at NIH build and maintain state of the PHS engineers at NIH build and maintain state of the art facilities and equipment used by some of our nations art facilities and equipment used by some of our nations leading scientists.leading scientists.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at FDA insure public safety by testing PHS engineers at FDA insure public safety by testing new medical devices and devices that influence medical new medical devices and devices that influence medical devices.devices.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at EPA detailed to EPA Superfund Site PHS engineers at EPA detailed to EPA Superfund Site program work to investigate and remediate sites.program work to investigate and remediate sites.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers at DOI provide engineering, project PHS engineers at DOI provide engineering, project and construction management, and assessments of and construction management, and assessments of water and wastewater facilities. water and wastewater facilities.



What We DoWhat We Do•PHS engineers and emergency responsePHS engineers and emergency response

– Refugee SituationsRefugee Situations

– Hurricanes/EarthquakesHurricanes/Earthquakes

– Floods/ Ice StormsFloods/ Ice Storms

– Political ConventionsPolitical Conventions

– Protests/DemonstrationsProtests/Demonstrations

– International MeetingsInternational Meetings

– Staff AugmentationStaff Augmentation

– International AssistanceInternational Assistance



Looking ForwardLooking Forward•Continue to play vital role in the overall PHS mission to Continue to play vital role in the overall PHS mission to protect, promote and advance the public health of the protect, promote and advance the public health of the nation.nation.

•Remain on the cutting edge of engineering disciplines Remain on the cutting edge of engineering disciplines and technology.and technology.



QuestionsQuestions

PresenterPresenterPresenter Contact InfoPresenter Contact Info





IHS – Photo GalleryIHS – Photo Gallery













Engineer Centennial Agency Letters

• HRSA– Over 6 decades ago, the Rehabilitation Services

Program was assembled at the then National Hansen’s Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana composed of surgeons, therapists, and engineers. Today, the National Hansen’s Disease Programs, now located in Baton Rouge, LA, has contributed surgical and rehabilitation techniques to numerous treatment programs in hand, foot and ankle, orthopedic and plastic surgery, Hansen’s disease (leprosy), and related disease treatment programs worldwide.

• EPA

• CMS

• FDA

• NIH

• NIOSH


CMS Response

FDA Response

NIH Response

NIOSH Response

EPA Response


• Others

Documents

US Public Health Service Engineers 1913 - 2013 100 Years of Service