Safety Day to refocus Sheppard personnel

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the holidays over, organizations across the base are attempting to refocus Team Sheppard's energies, and the 82nd Training Wing Safety Office is no exception.

As per Air Education and Training Command commander Gen. William R. Looney III, Jan. 3 will kick off Safety Month. The AETC January Safety Challenge gives wing commanders the opportunity to address safety issues, mishaps and training as strongly as they deem necessary.

"The start of a new year is the perfect time to set the tone for a safe 2007," General Looney said in a released statement, "... to ensure that every member of our AETC family directs their attention toward safety awareness and risk mitigation as we return to the demands of our training mission and deployment commitments."

According to figures provided by the Safety Office, there were zero drunk driving incidents and zero injuries to 82nd TRW personnel over the Exodus break. Sheppard's top safety official said Wednesday will be a time to focus of specific safety issues that affect everyone daily.

"Each squadron will conduct their own Safety Day activities. Each commander will probably start things off with their own commander's call," said 82nd TRW Chief of Safety James Zillweger.

For example, 82nd TRW Commander Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux will host a commander's call for his own wing staff agencies Jan. 3 at the Solid Rock Café at 8 a.m. From there, people will be released to address safety training within their offices.

"General Devereaux will likely focus on drunk driving and other vehicle incidents, operational risk management, personal risk management and smoking," Mr. Zillweger said.

The Safety Office offers a variety of guides, slide presentations and video clips for those who wish to compile information for customized safety briefings. The resources can be found by clicking on the "Wing Safety Office" link on the Sheppard Portal.

As of this writing, there were zero drunk driving incidents and zero injuries over the Exodus break. It has been 68 days since 82nd TRW's last drunk driving incident.