JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – With the sun shining on Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall (JBM-HH) officially kicked off the ‘101 Days of Summer’ with a large-scale Safety Stand Down event May 29. The day was dedicated to increasing hazard awareness and ensuring the entire community is equipped for a safe summer season, both on and off duty.
According to Antwane Johnson, JBM-HH Safety Specialist, this year’s event marked a significant expansion in collaboration, pulling in resources from all corners of the base to give attendees a more well-rounded training experience.
“JBM-HH Safety Day has traditionally been a 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) event, with the Garrison participating alongside,” Johnson said. “This year, multiple organizations contributed to the effort, including Safety, Fire, Police, Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Program (SHARP), Army Continuing Education System (ACES), Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), TOG Heat Casualty training, and the USO.”
In total, more than 600 Soldiers and 100 civilians from across JBM-HH and Ft. McNair took part in the day's activities.
Participants rotated through several interactive sessions covering key safety and readiness topics. ASAP addressed substance abuse awareness, while JBM-HH Safety managed a DUI simulator to demonstrate the hazards of impaired driving. TOG experts provided instruction on recognizing and preventing heat-related injuries, JBM-HH Police offered guidance on the safe handling and storage of personal weapons, and SHARP representatives highlighted program resources and support services. Additionally, the JBM-HH Fire Department demonstrated proper fire extinguisher use and backyard barbecue safety
“The importance of taking time out for fire safety increases the level of awareness throughout the community in so many ways,” said JBM-HH Fire Chief Jeffrey M. Toporczyk. Routine safety checks like testing smoke alarms twice a year and practicing the PASS method, Pull-Aim-Squeeze- Sweep for extinguishers, prepare individuals to react swiftly. This safety day strengthened our community's relationship, boosted awareness and engaged partners in excellence.”
These training stations addressed the most frequent risks encountered during summer recreation. Proactive steps, such as staying hydrated to prevent heat casualties, planning ahead for a designated driver or utilizing ride-share apps, and maintaining constant supervision of backyard grills and bonfires, can prevent these hazards.
"Summer brings a lot of great opportunities for our community to get out and enjoy the area, but it also brings increased risks,” said JBM-HH Command Sergeant Major Kenyon K. Simmons. “Events like this are crucial because it’s about proactive leadership. We want to empower our Soldiers and civilians to make smart decisions and mitigate those risks before an incident happens."
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