Picnic to celebrate 143 DUI-free days, refocus Sheppard

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The message from Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux is clear, but powerful - you've done well with preventing alcohol-related driving offenses, but don't let up know.

To help re-focus Team Sheppard on the tremendous feat of 143-consecutive days without a driving under the influence offense, including the period during the 101 Critical Days of Summer, the 82nd Training Wing commander has planned a "DUI Free - Prevention is Key" picnic for Oct. 5. The Italian-style picnic is at the Sheppard Club from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"General Devereaux wants to show his appreciation for the great work and effort by everyone to support this initiative," said James Zillweger, the 82nd TRW chief of safety. "He also wants to re-energize and refocus people on prevention."

Mr. Zillweger said supervisors at all levels have done a phenomenal job at educating all Airmen on the dangers of drinking and driving and having a plan in place prior to taking the first drink.

Mark Schaffer, the ground safety manager for the wing, said that having a plan is important, but sticking to the plan is just as important.

"Once you have one drink, your ability to make decisions has been compromised," he said. "Any decision after one drink is jaded."

Part of the plan includes how to get home after a night out on the town. It also includes having a person available - a wingman - who can be responsible and not deviate from the original plan. Mr. Schaffer said in some instances, a plan is laid out, to include a wingman, but all parties involved move away from the plan.

That sets the ball in motion for a mishap to occur and potentially a life to be lost in a preventable accident.

"DUIs are totally 100 percent preventable if you have a plan," Mr. Schaffer said, "if you have a plan and stick to it."

Mr. Zillweger said although the defined critical days have passed, Sheppard is approaching perhaps its most dangerous time of the year in the next three to four months.

"As we head toward the major holiday season - Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years - this is a critical time for us," he said. "We happen to have a higher increase in DUI activity."

Mr. Zillweger said within the last two years between October and January, Sheppard has averaged seven DUIs, including an average of two per month during a four month time period.

Currently, Sheppard's monthly average is less than one per month.