Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Fort Huachuca hosted its annual Summer Safety Fair at Thunder Mountain Activity Centre May 15, promoting safety, health and wellness for personnel and residents of the community.
"There's a large number of safety booths at this event," said Michael Martin, safety specialist with the Fort Huachuca Safety Office.
Tools and tips at the event included information on reptile awareness, drug abuse, fire safety, pet safety, a medevac helicopter for viewing and a simulation drunk driving hosted by the Sierra Vista and military police.
"We're raising awareness of all of the safety hazards here on post by bringing in the right people in to talk to the general public, Soldiers, family members, and civilians to say 'hey, we might have these things here and you might experience them,'" Martin said.
A report from the United States Army Safety Center, titled, "U.S. Army Accident Information" showed that a total of 1,916 ground accidents occurred to Army personnel in fiscal year 2014. Of these accidents, 22 resulted in fatalities.
Approximately 80 to 85 accidents are attributed to human error, explained Stephen McCann, emergency manager for the U.S. Army Garrison.
"Inherently there are more accidents that occur during the April to September timeframe for both on-duty and off-duty Soldiers," said Michael Negard, director of Communication and Public Affairs of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center Headquarters at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
"[This event] is important because it enables the workforce -- military, civilian and even contractors -- to help them recognize hazards both on-and off-duty.
"The first step of safety readiness is to always be aware and identify any hazards that could arise whether you're going on a weekend hiking trip or away for the weekend," Negard explained.
"If you're thinking about safety readiness, then you can take steps to mitigate [any] hazard," he said.
Thomas Miscione, founder, and Robert Troup, co-founder of the Huachuca Area Herpetological Association, were among the many participants at the Safety Fair. The pair displayed their reptile exhibit to demonstrate and educate the public about the local snakes, lizards and frogs Soldiers and civilians may encounter while in the field.
"More people are killed by vending machines in the United States than by snakes," Miscione explained.
"Ninety percent of snake bites in the United States happen on the hands and [occur] because people are trying to catch or hold [them]."
Miscione advised, "Leave [snakes] alone and don't pick them up."
According to Troup, the high peak activity times to see snakes -- like the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake or the Desert Massasga -- are usually April, August and September.
Ready Army also had a station at the event with materials to address emergency situations such as wildland fires, power outages, flash flooding or even active shooter scenarios.
"Make a plan and get involved; if something bad was to happen then [everyone] will be resilient and know how to prepare for it," said McCann.
He added, "I take part in the annual safety fair to make sure that our guests, military and family members have an understanding of the materials available to assist in any emergencies that may happen on the home front."
Social Sharing