REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Activity holds Safety Day each year to meet an annual requirement. But this observance means more than just checking the block.
"We do it annually to ensure that safety remains at the forefront of what our employees are doing," TMDE Activity deputy director Ron King said.
The activity, under the Aviation and Missile Command, conducted this year's event Thursday in Bob Jones Auditorium.
Guest speakers were Army civilian police Capt. Robert York and fire inspector Kenneth Riley.
There was a power point presentation with references to the activity's Employee Action Plan, which provides guidance on safety procedures to follow in an emergency for occupants in TMDE's buildings. The topics covered fire, tornado/shelter in place, active shooter, bomb threat and hazmat.
"What we do is extremely important to Soldiers and all of our customers," TMDE
Activity executive director James Johnson told the more than 100 attendees. "But none of it is so important it's worth any of us losing our lives or getting seriously injured. We don't want that to happen."
York gave an active shooter briefing. The strategy for such emergencies recommends: Run if you can, hide as the next option and fight as a last resort.
The five phases of an active shooter event include: first, the fantasy phase where a potential shooter envisions or fantasizes about committing such a crime; second, the planning phase where he plans his action; third, the preparation phase where he gathers his tools for carrying it out; fourth, the approach phase where he approaches his objective; and fifth, the implementation phase. The only way to stop the shooter during the fifth phase is through violent intervention, York said.
"Make sure you're aware of your surroundings," he advised. "Pay attention to what's going on."
Riley discussed fire safety including the types of fires, how to use fire extinguishers and the need for exit routes. "In case of emergency, dial 911," he said.
The fire inspector ended his presentation with advice for "out-on-the-town safety." This means knowing how to exit a nightclub or bar during a fire. "If you go into a bar -- I know it sounds hokey -- take a couple of minutes to try to find another way out," he said.
Riley showed a YouTube video of the tragic Station Nightclub fire in which 100 people were killed Feb. 20, 2003, in West Warwick, R.I. Pyrotechnics ignited a blaze which was fully involved within two minutes.
"Bottom line: Know your way out of a dance hall, bar, whatever you want to call it," Riley said.
Social Sharing