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KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – The winter season is here, and safety remains the highest of priorities for the 405th Army Field Support Brigade. In an effort to put ‘the freeze’ on cold weather and winter hazards, the 405th AFSB recently conducted winter safety training, which included tips and proven approaches to stay safe.
Army Sgt. Margarita Ferreira, the brigade training and exercises noncommissioned officer, was the primary instructor for the winter safety training Nov. 12, which was conducted remotely using a multi-media presentation and real-world winter safety scenarios.
Ferreira, who is also the brigade maintenance NCO, guided several dozen participants through the training, often calling on individuals to share their own personal experiences to best contribute to and further the discussion. Ferreira said she was pleased with the overall involvement and confident her established training objectives were met.
The 405th AFSB safety office has also been heavily involved in providing information to the brigade on winter safety. Brigade safety specialist LaShaun Chappell distributed an 11-page winter safety newsletter recently that covered multiple important topics, many of which were reiterated by Ferreira during her training.
One of the primary areas referenced in the safety newsletter and also covered in-depth during the training was operating a motor vehicle when road conditions are worsened by the presence of ice and snow. Areas of discussion included tire requirements and specifications, using snow tires versus all season tires, safe breaking distances and safe following distances, automobile safety kits during the winter, snow chains, and more.
Addressed in the winter safety newsletter and discussed during the training, for example, was all season tires. As of October 2024, all season tires bearing only the M+S symbol are no longer allowed during winter conditions in Germany. All season tires must now have the Alpine symbol on the tires, indicated by three mountain peaks and a snowflake in the center.
Another discussion point regarding tires was tread depth. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, but 4 mm is strongly recommended for effective winter performance. Expect heavy fines and points on driving records if caught driving with inappropriate tires during winter conditions, according to the safety newsletter.
Winter outdoor recreation was also covered in the newsletter. Chappell, who is an avid hiker, said winter activities such as hiking, skiing and snowboarding are inherently dangerous if precautions are not taken and proper equipment is not worn.
“Invest in the proper gear,” Chappell said, “and ensure your equipment is high-quality, fits well and is properly maintained. Also, check the weather and avalanche reports. Mountain weather changes rapidly so be prepared. Attend a safety course to learn how to recognize avalanche-prone areas and practice rescue skills. Finally, know the terrain. Research your chosen mountain, familiarize yourself with the terrain, and understand how to use a map and plan routes.”
Another major factor during the winter and a potential killer is hypothermia, said Chappell. Warning signs of hypothermia include uncontrolled shivering, exhaustion, confusion, drowsiness and difficulty speaking or moving. Physical signs can include pale or bluish skin, fumbling hands, and a general loss of coordination.
“Understanding the various stages of hypothermia and associated symptoms is extremely important,” she said. “If you suspect hypothermia, provide warmth and seek immediate emergency medical help.”
Another danger associated with extreme winter conditions that’s also measured in stages is frostbite. Stages include normal, frostnip, superficial frostbite and deep frostbite. The symptoms of frostbite are 1) cold skin and a prickling feeling, 2) numbness, 3) red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin, 4) hard or waxy skin, 5) clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness, and 6) blistering or black and hard areas of skin in severe cases.
The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center has many valuable tools and resources when it comes to cold weather and winter safety designed to assist individuals and organizations in lessening risks. Learn more by visiting USACRC’s winter safety webpage at https://safety.army.mil/MEDIA/Seasonal-Safety-Campaigns/Fall-Winter-Safety-2025.
The 405th AFSB is the premier logistics integrator and synchronizer for U.S. European Command, enabling readiness solutions to ‘Support the Warrior’ by operationalizing U.S. Army Materiel Command capabilities and delivering readiness within the U.S. Army Europe and Africa areas of responsibility at the point of need.
The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging AMC’s materiel enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the [official website](https://www.afsbeurope.army.mil/) at www.afsbeurope.army.mil and the [official Facebook site](https://www.facebook.com/405thAFSB) at www.facebook.com/405thAFSB.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2025 02:48 |
| Story ID: | 551489 |
| Location: | KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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