News

101 Critical Days campaign to help base personnel remember safety

  • Published
  • By Holly Birchfield
  • 78 ABW/PA
While summer can be a fun time, it can also be a time when people are at a higher risk for injury and even death.

According to the Air Force Safety Center, there were 19 fatalities Air Force wide during the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign, which typically runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.

So far this fiscal year, the AFSC has already reported 22 off-duty fatalities Air Force-wide which involved motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicle accidents.

Lt. Col. Jeff Schwoob, Robins chief of Safety, said the summer months are an important time to emphasize safe practices.

"(The campaign) is designated to make sure that people are aware of the risks that they are taking, but also how to lessen the risks," he said.

Jerry Clineman, Ground Safety chief in Robins's Installation Safety Office, said the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign is a time when the base reminds people to use precaution on and off duty.

"We talk a lot about Operational Risk Manage-ment, but people don't remember to take that concept home with them," he said.

Mr. Clineman said safety points of contact at Robins give people the tools to stay safe.

"Identify the risks," he said. "Know what (you're) about to do. Consider if there are any risks or hazards."

Colonel Schwoob said motorcycle safety is among the many areas the base is touching on during the campaign.

"We've seen an increased number of the use of motorcycles as gas prices go up," he said. "What we've also seen is an increased number of accidents related to two-wheel drive vehicles."

Colonel Schwoob said before revving up motorcycles, people should ensure the bike's operational and safe.

The colonel said Robins offers many courses to help people operate motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles more safely.

Motorcycles, ATVs, and other type vehicles aren't the only means of getting hurt this season. Thrill-seeking adventures like bungee jumping and other outdoor activities can prove dangerous as well and should probably be avoided, Colonel Schwoob said.

Sometimes, just getting to and from summer happenings can present problems.

"You've got a Disney vacation planned," Colonel Schwoob said. "You're done on Friday at three o'clock and decide to go on down to Disney. That's a six-hour drive after you've worked eight to 10 hours. You've got to keep an eye on it and make sure you don't try to beat the rush, beat the traffic, and take your time."

To keep people safer this summer, Mr. Clineman said Robins will partner with the Georgia governor's Traffic Highway Safety Office in Atlanta and piggy back on other well known campaigns such as the "Click it or Ticket it" seatbelt campaign and others.

"The Air Force is suggesting that we partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration because they run three campaigns that just happen to be timed with our campaign," he said. "It's the 'Click it or Ticket it' campaign, a national effort to get people to buckle up. The other one is 'Over the Limit,' which is (a campaign about) driving while intoxicated or while 'buzzed' because it's pretty much the same difference even if you're under the limit."

Mr. Clineman said Robins will also include the "Under Arrest" campaign, which involves traffic stops, checks for licensing and insurance, and sobriety tests.

While people should always exercise the Wingman concept, Mr. Clineman said the campaign is a good time to re-emphasize the point.