FORT GORDON, GA. -- Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade held a Safety Stand Down Observance 17 May.
A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for safety personnel and leaders to talk directly to Soldiers about safety. The focus for the Lion Brigade Safety Stand Down were water activity safety, weapon safety, driving safety as well as normal routine safety.
1st Lt. Chris Garcia, HHC 35th TTSB safety officer, led the stand down with stories from his own life as well as examples of ways he goes about his day incorporating safety strategies. Along with videos and discussion topics about how Soldiers within the Headquarters Company go about keeping safe during summer activities.
"I think utilizing stories from my own experiences personalizes things that can happen," said Garcia. "Facilitating an interactive conversation on safety opposed using PowerPoint slides was the best way to really drive home the message of safety and how it affects Soldiers and their units."
The difference in this safety stand down compared to others was the fact that it was a very personalized approach which engaged attendees and opened their eyes to what can happen.
"I never thought about a lot of the situations that were presented today," said Sgt. James Liddell, 35th TTSB automations NCO. "I always assumed that most safety situations were common sense, but there were a few topics we discussed where it wasn't as cut and dry as what I've experienced in my own life."
"The goal of this stand down was to ensure Soldiers always make safety conscious decisions in everything they do," said Garcia. "Everybody doesn't partake in the same activities so someone who doesn't participate in water sports for example may not even think to learn about it but the reason have overall safety awareness is so that you may be able to help your battle buddy or remind them of something they might have missed."
Safety is at the forefront of all Army activities from risk management to personally owned vehicle inspections, this is all to protect the U.S. Army's greatest asset the Soldiers.
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