Safety program drives down summer mishaps

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Thanks in part to a robust safety campaign, the total number of mishaps during McChord's 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign, which ended Monday, were down from last year.

The primary focus of this year's campaign was to reduce the number of fatalities Air Force-wide, said Ken Heath, ground safety superintendent.

It worked. Compared to 27 fatalities Air Force-wide in 2005, there were just 16 fatalities this year.

McChord didn't have any fatalities and the number of incidents resulting in loss of duty time due to Airmen being placed on quarters or convalescent leave dropped as well during the campaign.

Most of the incidents in the past years have been traffic or boating and swimming mishaps, said Mr. Heath. But he said there were also incidents were Airmen were hurt while working on their homes.

"It happens when someone is in a hurry and is taking some kind of short cut or not using correct safety equipment," he said.

Mr. Heath said the format of the campaign also changed a little this year, going from the usual Power Point presentations to more appealing medium -- internet videos.

"We added something with a bit of comedy -- but with a serious element to it," Mr. Heath said.

The videos, which are accessible on McChord's intranet site, contain humorous clips of common mishaps around the house, the water and involving motor vehicles. Each scene has a different safety message attached to it.

In a time of a shrinking Air Force, it is as important as it has ever been to preserve our combat capability by taking care of each other, said Lt. Col. Brian Newberry, 62nd Airlift Wing chief of safety.

"This summer McChord's Airmen took care of themselves and each other and made a positive difference," he said. "It was an outstanding effort by all."

Colonel  Newberry said much of the credit goes to the wing commander for stressing the importance of safety.

"The culture of safety has infused itself on this base and that has made a positive difference," Colonel Newberry said.