Summer safety wraps up

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Krystie Martinez
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  Air Combat Command leaders reflect on the positive impact this year's safety campaign made across the command as the 2012 Critical Days of Summer nears its end Sept. 4.

The Headquarters ACC Safety office led the campaign, with the goal of preserving combat capability for the command and the Air Force. In order to achieve this goal, they tested various media outlets to spread safety messages across the command.

"This year's weekly video and social media blitz in concert with ACC Public Affairs was very unique," said Master Sgt. Justin Ulmen, ACC Ground Safety programs manager. "Our feedback from across the command and Air Force has been very positive."

Even more encouraging is that personal motor vehicles accidents decreased from 45 in 2011 to 24 so far for 2012, along with on-duty industrial accidents dropping from 32 to 22.

The exact cause of the decline could not be pinpointed to a specific method, Ulmen said. "All ACC Safety can do is give Airmen the tools to help make smart decisions and urge them to use risk-management to ensure ACC is ready to win the fight - today and tomorrow."

ACC leaders believe that Airmen are making a strong effort in preventing mishaps.
"Numerous wingmen have helped avert damaging situations to our people. It is good to see Airmen taking care of Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, ACC command chief. "Unfortunately we had a few that did not make it. ACC lost four Airmen over the summer and we should never forget them or the legacy that they have left behind. We should learn from each event and now look forward to the challenges ahead. We should honor each person lost by ensuring we make every effort to avoid repeating the same lessons."

Efforts such wearing personal protective equipment, following procedures and policies is the type of behavior that Parsons has witnessed across the command.

"Airmen working together for the common goal of driving toward zero mishaps have been wonderful," Ulmen said. "However, being safe shouldn't end when we come back to work the day after Labor Day. Carry the message of the Critical Days of Summer into the fall and winter."

The next safety campaign is the Holiday and Winter Campaign 2012 and runs from Nov. 16 through Jan. 2.

Original content found here.