Volume 48, No. 11, June 29, 2006
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Secretary of Defence Ric Smith with SQNLDR Tim Strickland at the Environment and Heritage Awards. |
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Photo by LS Yuri Ramsey
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SQNLDR Tim Strickland received a special thanks for his contribution to the Pakistan earthquake relief effort at the CDF and Secretary’s Environment and Heritage Awards in Canberra recently.
He was recognised for his joint role in environmental management at Camp Bradman, along with Army’s COL Andrew Sims, Commander JTF 632.
They were among 10 award winners to share the honour across the Services and around the country.
The Australian contingent supporting the Pakistan earthquake relief effort from November 2005 to April 2006 faced enormous difficulties ensuring the operations of a primary health care facility in the higher reaches of the Neelum Valley.
Camp Bradman was home to more than 200 personnel over this time and did not cause adverse long-term environmental impacts.
On arrival, Joint Task Force 632 encountered appalling devastation and man-made environmental disasters. Air pollution shrouded the area, sewerage treatment plants were inoperable and there were few proper waste landfills.
SQNLDR Strickland and COL Sims faced twin challenges in the remoteness of the area and lack of waste management infrastructure. They planned and implemented innovative, effective, safe and efficient disposal of human sewage, domestic and medical waste and rehabilitation of sites to a high standard.
At Dhani, SQNLDR Strickland constructed field incinerators which properly burnt medical and human waste. The system was constructed and adapted through trial and error, and in poor weather conditions, but worked very effectively.
SQNLDR Strickland said it was a pleasant surprise to receive the award.
“We went over [to Pakistan] in a time of need and were able to provide that need, so it was very fulfilling and rewarding to be involved,” he said.
“[COL Sims] and I were very committed to leaving the smallest possible footprint as we didn’t want to burden Pakistan with any more problems. We arrived to a corn and rice field and were determined to leave it as we found it.
“I had seen the after affects of such disasters and knew that we were going to be able to really help these people after such devastation. It was a feel-good experience and we were very proud of what we achieved.”
For details on another Air Force award winner, Click here
