FORT SILL, Okla. (March 10, 2016) -- The Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill swept all three organizational categories as Training and Doctrine Command's (TRADOC) nominations to compete for the 2015 Department of the Army (DA) Chief of Staff Exceptional Organization Safety awards.

TRADOC nominated the FCoE for the division-level award; the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade for the brigade-level award; and 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery for the battalion-level award. The award recognizes a unit as having the most effective overall safety program in its category.

It was the fifth consecutive year TRADOC nominated the FCoE, and the fourth successive year it nominated the 30th ADA Brigade to compete at the DA level. The nominations are a validation of Fort Sill's safety programs, said the head FCoE safety official.

"The nomination speaks for itself," said John Cordes, FCoE Safety director. "If TRADOC selects the FCoE out of all of their centers of excellence, then we must be doing something right."

Four other Fort Sill units who submitted for the award will receive a TRADOC Certificate of Achievement in Safety, even if not going up to the DA level. They were 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery, which won the DA-level award in 2014; 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery; 95th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception); and the Fort Sill Noncommis-sioned Officer Academy.

Submitting units had to provide documented safety data including:

- Accident statistics and experiences;

- Methods used to effect or sustain accident reduction, i.e., safety training or new initiatives;

- Major safety accomplishments;

- Safety objectives for the future;

- Civilian injury and illness reduction program;

- Worker's compensation costs;

- Percentage of commanders who have completed the Commander's Safety Course;

- Seatbelt usage rates;

- Strategies, controls or policies that contributed to mission and operational success;

- Description of total command involvement and support of safety programs; and

- Description of initiatives that are not required, but will enhance the command safety program, such as purchase of ergonomic equipment or work stations, and partnering with the community or other government activities.

Capt. Carrie-Ann Carrier, 1-78th FA safety officer, said the recognition of her battalion's efforts was "awesome. I love it."

She attributed the battalion's success to teamwork because with all the advanced individual training units there are many moving pieces in the battalion. "We're making sure that everybody is safe on all days."

Carrier said the battalion took a hard look at its standard operating procedures to minimize safety risks, and it completely revamped its safety awards program.

She said she was particularly proud that the battalion's three batteries and Ordnance Training Detachment qualified for the Army safety streamer, and the Commanding General's Safety Award for Excellence.

To qualify, batteries had to meet numerous and stringent criteria, including seat belt usage, driver's training, alcohol and drug awareness, safety stand-down days, motorcycle mentorship, etc.

The captain said she has received tremendous support from Lt. Col. Michael Anders, 1-78th FA Battalion commander.

"Anytime that we're bringing up ideas for commanders, we provide the reasoning, outcomes and risk managment about how it is going to make the units better," Carrier said. "We get full (command) support."

FCoE and Fort Sill Commanding General Maj. Gen. John Rossi's No. 1 priority is safety and security of personnel, Cordes said. And, safety is correlated to operational readiness -- the Army's No. 1 priority.

Cordes cited examples of the relationship between safety and readiness.

If three Soldiers get into a car accident and suffer major injuries, they can't train, are nondeployable and other Soldiers will have to pick up their jobs, so right there personnel readiness is down, he said. The same is true if three Humvees were destroyed in an accident, then equipment readiness would be affected.

The FCoE Safety Office is responsible for reviewing the risk management of every product that is produced by the Directorate of Doctrine and Training, Cordes said.

"We review all the POIs (program of instruction) and lesson plans to ensure that risk management is in there," he said.

Every April, TRADOC safety officials visit Fort Sill for a weeklong survey. Before the survey, Cordes, along with his staff, perform a preassessment survey, which looks over literally hundreds of safety items across the installation.

Garry Gaede, is the FA Branch safety manager, who supports the 428th FA Brigade; safety specialist Kevin Enlow supports the 30th ADA Brigade; safety specialist Phil Russell supports the 434th FA Brigade; and safety specialist Mike Ratcliff works with FCoE Headquarters, Fort Sill NCOA and NCOAs at Fort Polk, La., and Fort Hood, Texas, because those schools fall under Fort Sill administratively.