68th CSSB conducts safety stand down

Photo By Master Sgt. Alex Ramos | Pfc. Dominic Colling, radio repairman, 183rd Support Maintenance Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, looks at a puzzle piece through drunk goggles while trying to assemble a puzzle during a safety stand down day held by the 68th CSSB at Iron Horse park, May 21.  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

05.21.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Alex Ramos 

4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers from the 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade participated in a Safety Stand Down day held at Iron Horse Park, May 21.

The training day was held to promote awareness regarding proper safety precautions heading into the Memorial Day weekend and the start of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, which end with Labor Day weekend.

"Memorial day weekend, we all know it's a dangerous weekend and a lot of things happen," said 1st Lt. Victor Cruz, assistant operations officer, 68th CSSB, who served as the safety officer for the event. "We wanted to do it right before [the holiday weekend], so we could go over a lot of safety tips."

Throughout the day, Soldiers rotated through eight different stations to receive safety tips about Army Substance Abuse Program, natural wildlife conservation, motorcycle safety, camping precautions, boating and water safety, firearm precautions, sport injuries and Morale, Welfare and Recreation advice.

"This is not a mandatory requirement," said Cruz. "But it helps Soldiers understand that leaders truly care about their safety. We could easily do classes within the company levels, but it's not the same and it's boring."

Sgt. Steven Sokul, truck driver and team leader, 32nd Transportation Company, 68th CSSB, said the training was valuable.

"I'm partial to the ASAP that's out here doing the drunk driving [prevention training]," said Sokul. "But I'm really happy for the local law enforcement coming out and teaching motorcycle safety."

"Safety is everybody's responsibility," added Sokul. "It doesn't matter if you're correcting a small deficiency to something major, it can be a life changing event."

Cruz echoed that sentiment: "On and off post, there are a lot of things happening with the Soldiers. If we help Soldiers with training, safety tips for them and their families, we can help out with the whole safety environment within our ranks.”

There were a lot of agencies involved that made the entire event possible and a success, said Cruz.

"It went great, because they went over a lot of topics," said Cruz. "We had the Colorado Springs Police Department, MWR, Wildlife conservation and ASAP … real people that actually do this every day. It is also motorcycle [safety] month and we had the motorcycle section of the CSPD brief the Soldiers. I definitely think they received great information."

• Date Taken: 05.21.2014
• Date Posted: 06.10.2014 15:16
• Story ID: 132700
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US