Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Northrup | Sgt. David Straight, a food service sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas - Dark clouds gathered overhead as the fire trucks came rolling toward the scene of the accident. There was a tense crowd curiously watching in the distance. A head-on collision had occurred and there was a person trapped in a car.
The firemen moved quickly. Several firemen set up hydraulic rescue tools while others readied a fire hose. A few inspected the immobile passenger. The hydraulic rescue tool came to life and a fireman began methodically separating parts of the car’s frame. With metal squeaking, the firemen lifted and removed the car’s roof and freed the trapped driver.
This was one of many safety demonstrations given to Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Division West Friday on Fort Hood, for their unit safety day.
“We make it visual so people can understand the importance of what we are teaching,” said Bill Gibson, the Division West safety manager. “I can show them statistics, but unless it is something they can physically see, it doesn’t become personal, and that is how you change the mindset of an individual.”
The safety classes included weapons safety, water safety, a drunken driving demonstration, a texting while driving demonstration and an automobile accident demonstration.
The training is very important as it brings to light what can really happen when someone decides to drink and drive, said Capt. Lloyd Loop, the chief of Traffic Management and Collision Investigations Branch on Fort Hood. These demonstrations not only highlight the punitive consequences, but also the safety implications of what can happen to the Soldiers and their friends.
“We also demonstrate to the Soldiers what it feels like to drink and drive without actually drinking,” Loop said. “We are going to let them operate a police car in a controlled environment with what we refer to as ‘drunk goggles.’”
To change the culture, it begins with changing the mindset one person at a time, Gibson said. To do that, Soldiers are shown the implications of poor decision-making. The goal is to have Soldiers understand the importance of Composite Risk Management, even when off duty.
“Everybody understands safety, but I want them to understand Composite Risk Management as it applies to everyday life,” Gibson said. “I want them to understand what it means to get CRM down into their core so that when they leave here they will make a difference in their day and in their life.”
According to Gibson, the safety demonstrations and classes have been working. The unit has lowered accident rates in the last four years by 71 percent and DUIs by 61 percent. During the same time frame, they have had zero accidental deaths and accidents resulting in permanent or partial disabilities.
“This year, we won the Chief of Staff of the Army Division Level Safety Award,” Gibson said. “Last year, we won five of the eight Forces Command CRM awards, which is almost unheard of.”
Gibson said if he can get people to use CRM in everyday activities, then he may have helped stopped possible accidents and possibly saved lives. It is all about understanding the tasks and conditions each activity entails.
“We need to get people to realize everything in life is a mission, everything,” Gibson said. “Whether you are driving across Baghdad for your unit or you are driving from here to Montana to see family, it is a mission. If Soldiers use Composite Risk Management in everything they do, we will lower the number of accidents and that is what we have done here in the division.”
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2014 14:54 |
| Story ID: | 132346 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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