Photo By Master Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr. | Summer safety tips. (U. S. Navy photo illustration by J. L. Wright Jr./Released)... read more read more
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Summer is synonymous with spending time outdoors, participating in water activities, having cookouts and traveling. However, the mission of producing quality aircraft at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) does not stop because it is summertime.
That is why it is extremely important FRCSE employees keep safe during off-duty hours to ensure they safely arrive back to work in one piece, according to Chief Aviation Electronics Technician David Steiner, anti-terrorism officer and safety chief, Detachment Jacksonville, FRCSE.
With summer less than a month away, FRCSE leadership is getting the jump on mitigating unsafe situations by providing training to help prevent these incidents.
FRCSE Detachment Jacksonville recently held a safety stand down featuring representatives from the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), First Coast Navy Fire and Rescue, and drug and alcohol prevention and motorcycle safety programs.
Last summer, the Navy and Marine Corps lost 21 active duty personnel during off-duty hours, according to the Navy Safety Center website. Thirteen of those fatalities happened while operating a vehicle or motorcycle. One of those killed was a petty officer from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida Highway Patrol Officer Michael Elder said motor vehicle accidents claim far too many lives and attributes most accidents to drivers not paying attention. A distracted driver is one of the major causes in accidents in Florida.
“Texting while driving is not only very unsafe, but it is illegal,” said Elder. “Talking on a cell phone, while not illegal, is also very dangerous; so is driving fatigued and trying to eat or drink while operating a vehicle.”
“Every life is precious,” he said. “The hardest thing for me to do as a highway patrol officer is to knock on someone’s door to tell them a family member was involved in an accident. So please be careful and remain alert when operating a vehicle.”
Other topics covered during the safety stand down included responsible use of alcohol, how to safely operate a grill, preventing heat injuries, the dangers of rip currents and boating hazards.
Thomas Quinlan, an FWC officer, discussed dangerous wildlife and ways to prevent being in a threatening situation. He said the more interactive the presentation, the more likely everyone will retain the information.
“I brought in a live alligator so everyone could see what one looks like up close,” Quinlan said. “A lot of animals and reptiles are dangerous. Knowing how to identify wildlife is the first step in making sure you don’t find yourself in a bad situation.”
“Safety briefs make a significant impact,” said Steiner. “Personnel are exposed to a variety of situations and are given the tools necessary to make smart decisions. Historically, we have noticed a decrease in the total number of incidents because of these presentations.”
Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Hunter Smith, a fairly-green Sailor who just arrived in the fleet, said safety briefs show how concerned the command is for their personnel and they serve as a good reminder of what not to do.
“Having a reminder is great,” he said. “People are going to remember the last thing they heard. The more often we are reminded about safety, the more tools we have to make good, safe decisions.”
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2015 05:56 |
| Story ID: | 164769 |
| Location: | NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 99 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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