ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Ship Sanitation Certificate Program

Authorized to inspect and issue Shipboard Sanitation Certificates for Navy, Army, Military Sealift Command (MSC), Coast Guard, and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessels.

Medical Readiness Inspections (MRI) and Technical Assist Visits (TAV)

Provide environmental health and preventive medicine afloat programs assistance and inspection in accordance with COMNAVSURFOR Shipboard Medical Procedures Manual.

Other Environmental Health Services Provided

• Environmental and Preventive Medicine Afloat Quality Assurance Visits (Chapter 5 QA)
• Assist Surgeon, Naval Air Forces with evaluation of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health Programs compliance during Health Services Readiness Assist Visits and Inspections (HSRA/HSRI)
• Consultation for food safety, drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste related issues
• Habitability assessments

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How often are Medical Readiness Inspections (MRI) and Medical Readiness Technical Assist Visits (TAV) required?
  A: The MRI is required every 18 months or 90-120 days prior to a deployment over 90 days. The TAV is performed 30 days prior to the MRI. These services are scheduled by Medical Readiness Division (MRD).

• Q: Do you offer assistance in the preparation for COMNAVSURFOR mandated MRIs and TAVs?
  A: Yes. We offer Chapter 5 Quality Assurance visits to assist ships with preparation for upcoming TAV and MRI.

• Q: How long are Shipboard Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates (SSCEC) good for?
  A: SSCECs are good for 6 months; however, if vessel operation precludes inspection and issuance of a new certificate, the command issuing the original certificate may issue a 30-day extension to allow the vessel to obtain a new inspection and certificate at a later time.

• Q: Are annual PPDs required?
  A: In accordance with BUMEDINST 6224.8A CH-1, Tuberculosis Control Program, screen all active duty and reserve personnel during the Periodic Health Assessment using NAVMED 6224/8 Interim Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment to determine TB exposure history and risk of acquiring TB. Individuals answering “yes” to one or more questions on this form are deemed to be at increased risk. Subsequently, perform Latent Tuberculosis Infection skin tests or blood tests only on individuals deemed to be at increased risk of acquiring TB. Refer to Tuberculosis Control Program instruction for additional screening and subsequent testing guidance.

• Q: How do I verify receipt of reference DNA specimens for personnel assigned to my command?
  A: You will need to contact the Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for the Identification of Remains (AFRSSIR) located on Dover Air Force Base at (302) 346-8800.