Critical Days of Summer kicks off at McConnell

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  As the temperatures rise, so do the number of Air Force safety related mishaps.

Twenty eight Airmen already have died in off-duty recreational mishaps this year, Air Force-wide. At McConnell, four reportable incidents have occurred this year.

As a result, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing safety office kicked off the 2010 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign "Back to Basics--Leadership at all Levels," (which runs May 28 to Sept. 7) May 27, with a display aimed at placing more emphasis on the harsh reality of safety mishaps.

"A variety of [safety mishaps] will typically spike up during the summer time because everyone wants to be outside," said Tech. Sgt. William Holmes, 22nd ARW safety office supervisor. "The point of pushing the Critical Days of Summer is to help provide [Airmen] with the mindset that if they use common sense and realize the consequences of their actions, they might help save a life."

To help demonstrate the consequences of what can happen should Airmen choose to neglect this mindset, members of the safety office, the base fire department and security forces shut down a portion of the Pittsburg and Kansas intersection to act out an emergency response scenario.

The display used dummies that depicted a fictional military couple driving south on Kansas Street from the main gate, with their child riding in the back seat. The couple's vehicle was "struck" in the side by another vehicle, operated by a fictional drunk servicemember turning west on to Pittsburg Drive, resulting in multiple fatalities

This vehicle that struck the family was being driven by an Airman who is supposed to have been heavily drinking the night before, and is also operating his vehicle with little sleep.

Despite the grim scenario, the safety office hopes the display provided Airmen with the knowledge of the importance of being ready Airmen, even when they are off duty.

"Knowing the risks of your actions and what you're doing is important because we want to prevent the mishaps and save lives," Sergeant Holmes said. "This year, we're kicking [the campaign] off a little stronger than we normally do because the safety office wants to hit it harder than what it has been in the past."

In years past, the safety office has normally utilized briefings or displays but never staged an accident scene, Sergeant Holmes said.

In addition to the display, base leadership greeted Airmen at both entrance gates here, handing out informational cards and safety tips.

These events were geared at emphasizing the main goal of the 2010 campaign at McConnell -- risk management.

"Ultimately, every Airman is responsible for preventing mishaps," said Lt. Col. Stan Lawrie, 22nd ARW chief of safety. "To do this, we must maintain a heightened state of awareness and know the risks."

Since its inception in 1970, the Critical Days of Summer Safety Campaign has strived to increase safety awareness and has helped save lives through risk management.