Two events bring safety message to Arsenal adults and children

By Eric Cramer, Public Affairs Officer, USAG Rock Island Arsenal, Public AffairsNovember 5, 2018

Two events bring safety message to Arsenal adults and children
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Two events bring safety message to Arsenal adults and children
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ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Illinois -- (Nov. 5, 2018) Rock Island Arsenal hosted two safety events in the month of October. The first was an Autumn/Winter Safety Stand Down Event held on Oct. 22 and a Safety Day for Kids held on Oct. 26.

Nearly 300 people visited the Rock Island Arsenal Safety Stand-Down on Oct. 22, according to Faith Killian of the U.S. Army Garrison-Rock Island Arsenal safety office.

She said the safety stand down events are a joint effort among the Garrison and tenant commands every spring and every fall to help employees and the community be safe and ready for the hot and cold months. This event was a multi-command, multi-agency effort that included nine Arsenal commands. Presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on training were used to reinforce the importance of safety at home, work, and play.

Killian said information covered at the event include autumn and winter safety, home safety, fire safety, security safety (anti-terrorism/force protection), do-it-yourself safety, holiday safety, products recalls, water safety, vehicle safety (winterizing your vehicle), fitness safety, and footwear's contribution to individual's safety.

Supporting the event, representatives from Garrison and Army Sustainment Command SHARP offices were also present as well as representatives from ASC Wellness Division, Department of Public of Works, and the American Red Cross - Central and Southern Illinois Region.

All participants handed out educational materials, information on the services they provide, contact information, and swag to keep the RIA workforce and community safe and sound.

"We try to cover topics that targets the hazards specific to the season," Killian said.

She said the voluntary event gives employers a chance to talk to employees about safety, and get information out about topics not normally thought of as being in the category of safety.

"We had Wellness there, to discuss substance abuse awareness, suicide prevention, and resiliency; representatives from Employee Assistance Program were also there to share the services they provide to employees; the American Red Cross came to discuss safe family planning," said Killian. "Those are the kinds of things people sometimes forget; things that can affect a person's readiness and safety."

She said, "Although not mandated, safety stand down events are encouraged throughout the Army."

In addition to the Safety Stand Down, the Arsenal also hosted its inaugural Safety Day for Kids held on Oct 26 at the RIA School Age Center. Participants included RIA Garrison Command Group, RIA Fire Department, RIA Police Department, Garrison Safety Office, Security, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Family Advocacy, ASC Wellness Division, Family and Morale, Wellness, and Recreation, and Joint Munitions Command Safety Office.

More than 50 children attended the event. The children and their parents learned about a variety of kid-friendly topics, which include cyber security and safety, wellness, family services, water safety, fire safety, home safety, school safety, playground safety, sports safety, and Halloween safety just in time for Halloween. Children also made safety posters that will be blown up and posted throughout the Island.

Just like the safety stand down event, this inaugural event is planned to be held on a biannual basis.

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USAG Rock Island Arsenal

RIA Garrison Safety Office