Facility managers keep post buildings running smoothly

By Susan C. Galentine, Directorate of Public WorksDecember 4, 2024

Facility managers keep post buildings running smoothly
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Kevin Lyons, Directorate of Public Works Environmental Compliance Assessment Team contractor, teaches Soldiers and civilian facility managers about hazardous waste awareness during a DPW Facility Management Class in building 1219. (Photo Credit: Susan C. Galentine) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CARSON, Colo. — Whether conducting vehicle maintenance in motorpools along Minick Avenue that date to the 1960s-1970s or working in newer buildings at Butts Army Heliport, facility management is important to keep buildings running efficiently.

With such a range of building construction eras, facility management is a mix of ensuring older buildings are maintained to maximize energy efficiency and comfort and occupants in newer buildings understand the more technical lighting and heating and air conditioning systems in place.

The Directorate of Public Works (DPW) staff is focused on supporting military units and organizations on post. One effective way units and organizations can get timely help from the DPW is by assigning facility managers to address maintenance and repair problems. In many respects, trained facility managers serve as the eyes and ears of their commands when dealing with building issues.

“With over 1,000 facilities on Fort Carson, facility managers are likely the first ones to notice if something is wrong with their facility,” said Doug Homa, DPW Operations and Maintenance Division chief. “Facility managers play a key role in identifying and communicating issues to the base operations service desk. Their actions can ultimately save the installation time and money when issues are identified early.”

DPW offers several training opportunities and tools to prepare unit and civilian facility managers for their role. The first step for a newly assigned facility manager is to sign up for the DPW Facility Management Class, which includes instruction on all aspects of facility management. Unit leadership ensuring facility managers are assigned to barracks is especially critical to addressing occupant issues quickly.

The two-day class covers topics including placing service orders, energy conservation, recycling, barracks equipment replacement, processing work requests for new projects and fire warden responsibilities.

The class is offered once a month, Tuesday-Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in building 1219 on third floor in the Sunlight Conference Room.

The 2025 training dates are:

  • Jan. 14-15
  • Feb. 11-12
  • March 11-12
  • April 8-9
  • May 13-14
  • June 10-11
  • July 15-16
  • Aug. 12-13
  • Sept. 9-10
  • Oct. 7-8
  • Nov. 18-19

To register Soldiers for the training, brigade training NCOs need to contact the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Individual Military Training Office/Troop Schools.

For more information about the DPW Facility Management Class, call 719-725-4938 or email susan.c.galentine.civ@army.mil.