WIESBADEN, Germany - Soldiers of the 102nd Signal Battalion demonstrated an impressive aptitude for safety as the unit dominated control of the board to win the Wiesbaden Winter and Holiday Safety Showdown Nov. 23. The event was held at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield Flyers Theater.
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"There are a number of different ways to get after training, and this is one of the more fun and entertaining approaches," said Col. Jeffrey Dill, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden commander.
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About midway through the first round, the audience was fully engaged exchanging playful banter, ribbing, cheers and jeers in support of their respective units - 5th Signal Command, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, 2nd Signal Brigade, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden and 102nd Signal Battalion.
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Intermissions were filled with public service video clips addressing the dangers of distracted driving, using cell phones while driving, fire and suicide prevention, the effects of driving under the influence and cold weather safety.
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Though the event was intended to amuse, officials used it as a means to stir up latent knowledge while determining if previous training sessions were successful.
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"It's a fun interactive way to measure the effectiveness and retention of training provided to units," said Manar Sadek-Shaw, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden acting safety manager. "It's good as a refresher and reminder because we all have dormant and recessed safety knowledge. It's a means of drawing forth the things taught to members during their orientation to the community."
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Contestants were quizzed on Germany's driving standards, Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, winter driving, personal risk management and other topics.
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While many would prefer the style of training year-round, safety representatives purposefully select this point in the year.
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"We do it right before the holiday season because this is when your higher hazards come into play," said Sadek-Shaw, who reiterated some of the hazards associated with winter, driving in inclement weather, holiday cooking and decorating.
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As many were reminded of the Army's Fall/Winter Safety Campaign slogan, "No Time to Chill," the signal Soldiers blazed the field keeping the buzzer hot to win the event by a margin of 5,000 points.
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Units can get busy sharpening their safety chops to compete in the showdown in the spring as the officials focus on summer safety.
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Contact the Garrison Safety Office for information about safety training opportunities for your unit at mil 337-7415.
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