1st TSC Soldiers participate in safety stand down

By Barbara Gersna, 1st TSC Public AffairsApril 7, 2021

A member of the Kentucky Highway Patrol talks to Soldiers about what happens during a rollover accident at the 1st Theater Sustainment Command safety stand down held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 2, 2021. The trailered, rollover vehicle is a training tool used to demonstrate how even a seat-belted person can fall out of a vehicle during a roll over accident.
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of the Kentucky Highway Patrol talks to Soldiers about what happens during a rollover accident at the 1st Theater Sustainment Command safety stand down held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 2, 2021. The trailered, rollover vehicle is a training tool used to demonstrate how even a seat-belted person can fall out of a vehicle during a roll over accident. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
A training "dummy" falls out of the rollover training vehicle during a rollover simulation April 2, 2021 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the 1st Theater Sustainment Command safety stand down. The Kentucky Highway Patrol demonstrated what happens to people during a rollover accident.
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A training "dummy" falls out of the rollover training vehicle during a rollover simulation April 2, 2021 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the 1st Theater Sustainment Command safety stand down. The Kentucky Highway Patrol demonstrated what happens to people during a rollover accident. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Members from the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association - Lincoln Trails talk to Soldiers from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command about bike safety during the unit's safety stand down held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 2, 2021. They encouraged bikers to use the buddy system and to enjoy the many trails in the area.
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members from the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association - Lincoln Trails talk to Soldiers from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command about bike safety during the unit's safety stand down held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 2, 2021. They encouraged bikers to use the buddy system and to enjoy the many trails in the area. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
A member of the American Legion Riders elbow bumps a 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldier at the safety stand down here, April 2, 2021. The riders are members of the Elizabethtown American Legion Post 113, and they sponsored the motorcycle safety training, which covered proper protective wear when operating a motorcycle for the Army and in the state of Kentucky.
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of the American Legion Riders elbow bumps a 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldier at the safety stand down here, April 2, 2021. The riders are members of the Elizabethtown American Legion Post 113, and they sponsored the motorcycle safety training, which covered proper protective wear when operating a motorcycle for the Army and in the state of Kentucky. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Eric Schweighauser, safety manager, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, explains the distance it takes to stop a vehicle while traveling at various speeds during the 1st TSC safety stand down, April 2, 2021 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Schweighauser helped organize the event, which was designed to satisfy safety training requirements, increase awareness and build esprit de corps.
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Eric Schweighauser, safety manager, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, explains the distance it takes to stop a vehicle while traveling at various speeds during the 1st TSC safety stand down, April 2, 2021 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Schweighauser helped organize the event, which was designed to satisfy safety training requirements, increase awareness and build esprit de corps. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Firefighters from the Fort Knox Fire Department demonstrate how to use a fire extinguisher during  the 1st Theater Sustainment Command safety stand down, April 2, 2021 in front of the headquarters building at Fort Knox, Kentucky. They also discussed safe grilling techniques as barbeque season begins.
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Firefighters from the Fort Knox Fire Department demonstrate how to use a fire extinguisher during the 1st Theater Sustainment Command safety stand down, April 2, 2021 in front of the headquarters building at Fort Knox, Kentucky. They also discussed safe grilling techniques as barbeque season begins. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Sgt. Blackjack, 1st Theater Sustainment Command's mascot, attends safety training, April 2, 2021 at Fort Knox. His handler, Pfc. Roberto Ontiveros, religious affairs specialist, 1st TSC, holds Blackjack's lead. Soldiers posed with Blackjack during his appearance at the safety stand down.
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Blackjack, 1st Theater Sustainment Command's mascot, attends safety training, April 2, 2021 at Fort Knox. His handler, Pfc. Roberto Ontiveros, religious affairs specialist, 1st TSC, holds Blackjack's lead. Soldiers posed with Blackjack during his appearance at the safety stand down. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL
Jason Kennedy, prevention coordinator, Fort Knox Army Substance Abuse Program, explains to 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers how many drinks the lines on the red solo cup indicate. He shows them that they're having more than one drink when they fill the red solo cup to the top. Kennedy also allowed participants to try on goggles that distorted their vision and perception and drive a golf kart through a driver's course to demonstrate driving under the influence. The training was part of the 1st TSC safety stand down that was held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 2, 2021.
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Jason Kennedy, prevention coordinator, Fort Knox Army Substance Abuse Program, explains to 1st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers how many drinks the lines on the red solo cup indicate. He shows them that they're having more than one drink when they fill the red solo cup to the top. Kennedy also allowed participants to try on goggles that distorted their vision and perception and drive a golf kart through a driver's course to demonstrate driving under the influence. The training was part of the 1st TSC safety stand down that was held at Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 2, 2021. (Photo Credit: Barbara Gersna) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT KNOX, Ky. - Soldiers from 1st Theater Sustainment Command participated in a safety stand down in front of the headquarters building here April 2.

Small groups rotated through six stations, each focusing on a different safety subject to increase awareness, satisfy training requirements, and build esprit de corps.

1st TSC Safety Officer Eric Schweighauser coordinated the event to engage 1st TSC Soldiers about safety topics to include hot weather, fire, motorcycle, biking, alcohol, and driver safety.

“The more soldiers can see, touch, and experience; the more they learn,” he explained. “That’s why we are out here today.”

Maj. Jonathan Foster, deputy surgeon, 1st TSC, taught inclement weather safety as well as animal and plant safety. He stressed the importance of drinking enough water, especially while outside for long periods in the heat. “Heat stroke can lead to death,” he explained. He also discussed poisonous snakes and spiders found in the region.

Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads can be found here in Kentucky. “If you see bright colors or hear a hissing sound, move in the other direction,” Foster urged. “Brown recluse spider bites are very painful. A black widow bite can kill an adult,” he added. They like to hide in humid, dark, damp, or cramped spaces.

Spc. Jaamal Parker, postal operations specialist, 1st TSC, said that he enjoyed trying on the goggles at the station where members of the Army Substance Abuse Program at Fort Knox taught about drug and alcohol abuse and mental health. Soldiers tried on goggles that distorted their vision and perception, and some drove a golf kart, inevitably crashing into the orange cones marking the short driver’s course.

“I also liked the rollover demonstration,” Parker said. “We often see the aftermath of these accidents, but it was interesting seeing what happens to people in the vehicle while it’s happening.”

Members from the Kentucky Highway Patrol demonstrated this with a specially designed truck that showed what happens to people inside a vehicle, even wearing seatbelts, when a rollover occurs.

Schweighauser taught vehicle safety. He urged Soldiers to “open the gap between vehicles to allow them more time to react.” He displayed a chart showing how long it takes a vehicle to stop on a dry, flat road. “You need 384 feet to stop when driving 70 miles per hour,” he said.

Bike safety was taught by members of the Kentucky Mountain Bike Association – Lincoln Trails. Schweighauser, as president of the local volunteer organization, coordinated to bring them in to teach because it’s part of their charter. Members talked about how important it is to wear a helmet. They also urged bikers to use the buddy system, practice “leave no trace,” and told Soldiers that bikers yield to everyone.

With the warmer weather coming, it means more people will be outdoors barbecuing. Members of the Fort Knox Fire Department provided fire safety tips and demonstrated the proper use of a fire extinguisher. They reminded participants to ensure that they allow enough space between their grills and outdoor awnings and overhangs to prevent house fires.

The American Legion Riders from Post 113 in Elizabethtown rode to the event. They sponsored and assisted with the motorcycle safety training. The training covered appropriate protective wear requirements in the state of Kentucky and the Army and the differences in license requirements. Legion Rider Li’l Bob said that they are there to support soldiers and veterans.

Around lunch time, Soldiers were treated to a free barbeque lunch provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1028 from Vine Grove, Kentucky, and Blackjack, the 1st TSC mascot, made an appearance. Soldiers posed for pictures with the beloved mule who is brought in for planned unit events and functions.