101 Critical Days of Summer kick off! Published May 22, 2009 By Samuel Spooner 17th Training Wing Safety Office GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- This year's 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign, called "Live to Play, Play to Live," begins today at 4 p.m. and ends Sept. 8 at 7 a.m. This year, we are asking commanders and supervisors to dedicate a few hours before the start of the campaign to focus on mishap prevention, taking care of your Wingman, and risk management. We stand together in upholding a proactive culture of safety, risk management, and resource protection. Specifically, we are targeting mishap reductions for alcohol related mishaps, private motor vehicle (two- and four-wheel) mishaps, fatigue-related mishaps, and sports and recreation (water activities) related mishaps. The campaign has been partitioned into weekly focus topics: Week 1 (Motorcycle/Sport Bike Safety) May 26 - June 2 Week 2 (Water Safety/Suicide prevention) June 3-9 Week 3 (Motorcycle/Cruiser Bike Safety) June 10-16 Week 4 (Alcohol Related Mishap Prevention) June 17-23 Week 5 (Boating Safety) June 24-30 Week 6 (4th of July and Fireworks Safety) July 1-6 Week 7 (Summer Heat Safety) July 7-13 Week 8 (Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety) July 14-20Week 9 (Defensive Driving/4WPMV Safety) July 21-27 Week 10 (Grilling/Barbeque Safety) July 28 - Aug. 3 Week 11 (Countering Fatigue) Aug. 4-10 Week 12 (Sports Risk Management) Aug. 11-17 Week 13 (Travel Safety) Aug. 18-24 Week 14 (Labor Day Safety) Aug. 25-31 Week 15 (Back to School Safety/Fall Campaign ramp up) Sept. 1-7 Since 9-11 the Air Force has lost 63 members in combat during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom while losing 543 members to preventable mishaps. This means you are 8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal mishap while at home station than when deployed. We are senselessly losing Airmen: off-duty, off-base, and in vehicles. We had 13 fatalities across the Air Force between March 1 and May 13. Seven involved motorcycles. Air Education and Training Command had 3 fatalities of which 2 involved motorcycles. The motorcycle safety foundation is addressing the issue through continued education not only for motorcyclists, but also for vehicle drivers. The "For Car Drivers" Web site, www.forcardrivers.com, provides safety tips, video instruction, and other resources for car drivers. Here at Goodfellow, we have the American Patriots Motorcycle Group which meets June 11, 4:30 at the Event Center. Their emphasis is on safe motorcycle riding and camaraderie. Vehicle mishaps are preventable and you have a role by using operational risk management before getting behind the wheel. The six step process is as follows: 1. Identify the hazards 2. Assess the risks 3. Analyze risk control measures 4. Make control decisions 5. Implement risk controls 6. Supervise and review More than fifty percent of all accidents are caused by driver error such as drinking and driving, speeding, fatigue, and failing to obey traffic signs and warnings. Here in West Texas, you must be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions due to high winds, flash floods, and sudden thunderstorms as well as wildlife. Think before you drive and always ensure everyone has their seatbelt fastened. The decisions you make can and will impact both you and those around you. There is no excuse for driving under the influence. This senseless act endangers everyone on the road and may lead to disciplinary actions, injury, or even death. As always, you have the responsibility to create a plan prior to heading out. Let someone know where you are planning to go, build a plan (who, what, where, when, and how will I get home), always us the "wingman" system (two in/two out), and select a responsible designated driver. Everyone should have a "Wingman" card which provides additional phone numbers and information to prevent DUIs. You may want to participate in high-risk activities this summer. High-risk activities are activities having a higher potential for personal injury due to the level of competition, speed, risk, or skills needed and requiring greater agility, stamina and dexterity. For example, martial arts, horseback riding, racing, water skiing, operation of water craft, wake boarding, tubing, rafting, surfing, hangliding, diving, hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking are all considered high-risk activities. An AETC Form 410 will be used to document your participation and will be kept by your supervisor. Prior to engaging in an activity that could reasonably be considered "high-risk," you should consult your unit safety representative and/or commander. Please remember to stay hydrated as the Texas sun can rapidly cause heat stress injuries. For your awareness, each of the unit's on base has both a unit safety representative and motorcycle safety representative. In concert with your representative, the 17 TRW Safety Office will promote the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign through education, publicity, and awareness programs. I ask each of you to take the time to analyze the activities you'll take part in this summer and assess the risk before engaging. Let's have a safe, fun-filled summer!
