Beth Miller, 3 March 2003, The NewsJournal
Construction should be completed by June at Dover Air Force Base's new $20 million mortuary, and Army Corps of Engineers officials led a tour through the facility Friday to reveal some of the enhancements it will provide for the military's largest such operation. As they steered guests through what will be hospital-quality radiology units, autopsy and embalming facilities, workers at the old Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs nearby were preparing to receive more remains from the war in Iraq. Dover is designated to receive all casualties from the war.
Officials said the new building - and the $10 million of new equipment it will contain - will streamline the mortuary staff's ability to prepare remains for return to families and loved ones. It is expected to be fully operational by October. When complete, the facility will cover 70,000 square feet and will be about twice the size of the current mortuary, said Joe Zurzolo, project engineer for the Army Corps.
Among the design features are a new screening area for remains that are just arriving. Because many are coming straight from combat, the remains are scanned before processing begins to determine whether any unexploded ordnance was undetected. In the new facility, that scanning will take place in a 12-inch-thick, steel-reinforced concrete bunker with blast-proof doors and windows, giving workers maximum protection. "Because this is the only stateside mortuary for the military, an accident in this facility disrupts a lot of things," Zurzolo said.
The new mortuary will include state-of-the-art digital imaging equipment, enhanced ventilation to protect workers from vapors, an entry area equipped with briefing rooms, counseling rooms and places for escorts and military officials to relax as they wait for remains to arrive or depart. Storage capacity also is enhanced at the new facility, Zurzolo said. Refrigerated facilities will be available for storage of more than 100 remains. After the embalming process, 200 to 500 remains can be stored while awaiting transport to their hometowns or Arlington National Cemetery.
