Fort Riley ASP extends accident-free streak to 5 years

By Shandi Pase, Fort Riley Public AffairsNovember 4, 2011

Fort Riley ASP extends accident-free streak to 5 years
From left to right, Fort Riley Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Colvin Bennett Sr., Scott Cook, ASP manager; Richard Eyestone, ASP accountable officer; Fort Riley Garrison Commander Col. William Clark and Fort Riley Deputy Garrison Commander Linda Hoeffner... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Five years and 162 days, 47,688 hours, 2,861,280 minutes or 1,987 days -- however you count it, as of Nov. 1, that's how long it has been since the Ammunition Supply Point has experienced an accident.

The ASP's main mission is to support the ongoing training at numerous Fort Riley ranges -- from handgun qualifications to tank and helicopter gunneries, said Richard Eyestone, ASP accountable officer.

"The people who work at the Ammunition Supply Point have daily contact with ammunition, explosives and various hazardous materials. It is not uncommon for the ASP to handle, store and inspect several tons of ordnance every work day. An accident in the ASP could impact this training, and that is just not acceptable. We cannot afford to have any accidents no matter how small because of what may result," he said. "Every person who works at the ASP is fully aware they need to be 100-percent safety conscience no matter what job they are performing."

Nearly every operation completed at the ASP has some type of safety briefing, warning or regulatory safety guidance associated with the operation.

In this respect, everyone at the ASP, from the workforce to the Soldiers involved in issuing or turn-in operations, receive some type of safety information or awareness throughout the duty day, Eyestone said.

"Safety awareness goes hand-in-glove with any job that is being accomplished in a correct and professional manner," he said. "It also helps to have a mature and vastly experienced workforce, (which) takes a great deal of pride in the jobs they are doing."

Additionally, safety conserves resources in personnel, supplies and equipment, he said.

"A good safety program does several things, in addition to keeping your people safe and free of injury or death," Eyestone said. "The Army spends a lot of money in training its Soldiers to be the best. The Army issues (its) Soldiers expensive and sophisticated gear and equipment, so they might best accomplish their missions, which hopefully reduce causalities and expenditures of supplies and equipment. Every time the Army loses a Soldier due to an accidental injury, death or damages or destroys supplies or equipment, it makes it that much more difficult for that commander to do or maintain (his or her) mission."

On Nov. 1, employees of the ASP were awarded a certificate of achievement from Garrison Commander Col. William Clark, Deputy Garrison Commander Linda Hoeffner and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Colvin Bennett Sr.

"It's great to come up here and really recognize what you guys do. I mean 2,000 accident-free days speak for themselves," Clark said.

Clark thanked the employees of the ASP for what they do to support Soldiers and keep Families safe.

Following the presentation, Clark and Bennett toured the ASP facility.