Al Asad service members learn to be safe, not sorry

Photo By Cpl. Jo Jones | Army Capt. Orlando Ruiz (left), a nurse with the 47th Combat Support Hospital, explains the dangers of rhabdomyolysis, a breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue due to overuse, at a safety exposition aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, June 15. The safety expo taught service members and Department of Defense civilians about safety hazards and preventive measures, and gave Al Asad safety experts the chance to provide visitors with the knowledge and tools to return home safely.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

06.26.2009

Story by Cpl. Jo Jones 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Driving the speed limit, putting on sunscreen and drinking water before a long run under the hot Iraqi sun may seem like common sense, but putting these simple measures into practice ultimately helps prevent injuries and save lives.

Service members and civilians aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, had an opportunity to learn about general and occupational safety during an exposition put on by Multi- National Force - West and the Base Command Group safety experts at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center aboard Al Asad, June 15.

"We are holding this expo to educate the military and civilian population on base about the different safety hazards they could encounter," said 1st Lt. Kathryn Fahrner, an aviation supply officer serving as a safety specialist with MNF-W, and one of the event coordinators. "It enables them to practice better safety in their day-to-day operations."

Service members walked around to different display tables, learning everything from the consequences of not staying properly hydrated to proper handling procedures of hazardous materials. They also looked at exhibits of poisonous snakes and insects, climbed in a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle, and collected complimentary plug adaptors.

Lance Cpl. Karl Toutpuissant, an administrative clerk with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), said he was impressed with the safety experts' professionalism, and that the safety expo helped him become more knowledgeable about safety procedures.

"I came here to check out the booths to see what I could learn from the safety expo," said Toutpuissant. "Safety is paramount and it determines whether you go home dead or alive."

Fahrner said the safety expo also allowed safety personnel to network and work together toward a common goal.

"This expo allows us to foster better working relationships among the safety professionals on base," said Fahrner. "It also lets the safety officers from the different military units on base bring information back to their units so they can better educate everyone."

Events like the safety expo help Fahrner and other experts spread the word about practicing proper safety procedures, ultimately ensuring successful mission accomplishment and troop welfare.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2009
• Date Posted: 06.26.2009 05:10
• Story ID: 35650
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ