101 Critical Days end, fall safety campaign begins

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Weather is getting colder in Kansas. As Airmen here stow away their summer recreation gear and say goodbye to poolside parties and barbeques, they should also shift from a summer safety mindset to a fall one. 

The 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign ended Labor Day, but it's just a fraction of time during a year-round, Air Force commitment to keeping Airmen mishap-free, said McConnell safety officials. 

"It is the base's leadership and our duty to ensure McConnell members know how important they are and how their welfare is critical to the 22nd Air Refueling Wing," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Sperry, 22nd ARW ground safety technician.

"Everyone understands the constant push to get the mission done, but we have to take the time to incorporate safety into the tasks we do every day," he said. "Our Airmen need to understand if something seems wrong, it probably is."

According to base safety office reports, there were 117 mishaps at McConnell in 2008, and there've been 92 mishaps so far in 2009. 

Sergeant Sperry said this number does not include unreported incidents.

"The reported mishaps this year have led to an estimated 2,100 hours of missed work hours - roughly 87 missed duty days," said Staff Sgt. William Holmes, McConnell ground safety supervisor.

"With the momentum to get things done quickly, we get caught up in everyday activities and become complacent," said Sergeant Holmes. "Every mishap can be prevented."

The safety officials said they will not allow a silent transition into fall season, and instead intend to embed a mind-set within every Airman to assess risks and hazards on-and off-duty. Seasonal activities that commonly occur with the likelihood for mishaps, such as holiday parties, fall sports, camping, hunting and inclimate weather, are just around the corner, they said.

But some mishaps are not seasonal.

Vehicle accidents happen every day, said Sergeant Holmes.

Safety officials here brought this point home Sept. 3 when they staged a vehicle accident scene at McConnell's east gate. Everyone who drove through witnessed emergency response vehicle lights flashing over a wrecked car and a crash victim hanging through the windshield, across the vehicle's hood. Safety officials staged this mock crash scene just before Labor Day to remind McConnell members to keep safety on their minds during the holiday weekend.

"That's what could happen," said Sergeant Holmes.

But, it doesn't have to. Safety officials said not drinking and driving or talking on the phone/texting while behind the wheel can help prevent such mishaps.

"Be aware of your surroundings," said Sergeant Holmes. "Always be cautious, and think before you act - through the entire year," he said.

This year, there've been 14 cases of driving under the influence here, already surpassing the past year's total of 13 DUIs. 

"We want people to know; we want them to have a good time, but to assess risks and keep safe," said Sergeant Holmes. "We're not here to point fingers, we want to help."

Shortly, it will be time to plan Sunday football parties, dust off hunting rifles and enjoy seasonal nights around a camp fire - all activities that can be fun and mishap-free.

"Nobody wants to be that guy who says, 'Hold my drink, and watch this,' then spends the rest of the night in the hospital," said Sergeant Holmes. "We all should keep safety in the front of our minds this fall and throughout the year. It doesn't mean people can't have fun. It means they owe it to themselves, others and their career to be responsible."