Joint Safety Day a Success

By Ms. Giselle Bodin (ACC )May 17, 2010

Safety Day 5093
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – James Bartlett, contract specialist, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, tries to make a hole-in-one during a Safety Day activity May 11. The event was a joint venture with the Missile Defense Agency. Participan... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety Day 5098
2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Anthony Shaw, Munitions and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Department, Headquarters and Headquarter Company, 59th Ordnance Brigade, explains amunition displayed during Safety Day on May 11 to Mary Hill and Hazel Hyde, who both work at the ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety Day 5167
3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Anthony Shaw, Munitions and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Department, Headquarters and Headquarter Company, 59th Ordnance Brigade, maneuvers an EOD robot during Safety Day on May 11. The event was a joint venture between the U.S. Army Spa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety Day 5186
4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dan Satterfield, chief meteorologist for WHNT 19 in Huntsville, talks about the benefits of a good weather radio in everyone's home during Safety Day on May 11. The event was a joint venture between the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Arm... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety Day 5116
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. James Smallwood, left, G3 strategy and policy, talks with Bob McGaffin, center, safety manager, and Mike Mitchell, force protection officer, at the motorcycle safety display that Smallwood ran during Safety Day on May 11. The event was a joint v... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety Day 5105
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Mike Cox, middle, and Wes Allen, right, both with Gander Mountain, talk with Clarence Eck, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, about outdoor safety during Safety Day on May 11. The even was a joint venture with ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Safety Day 5138
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A snake visiting the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command and the Missile Defense Agency joint Safety Day May 11 checks out her cage while Ashley Young, Department of Public Works, talks about snakes with Mike Mit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--USASMDC/ARSTRAT and MDA hosted the second Joint Safety Awareness Day on Tuesday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Von Braun Complex parking lot in front of Building 5220.

Approximately 20 vendors brought demonstrations and spoke on their areas of expertise concerning safety.

The various booths included Huntsville/Madison hospital, motorcycle safety and attire, Fleet Feet runner preparedness, fishing and hunting safety, barbeque and grilling safety, and identifying poisonous plants, trees and snakes. The fire department brought safety equipment and a fire truck to showcase, and the Coast Guard performed boat inspections for interested employees.

Other popular attractions included the hands-on use of a fire extinguisher and a Aca,!A"drunk drivingAca,!A? awareness course, where participants drove a golf cart through a coned-off area while wearing special goggles meant to simulate being under the influence of alcohol.

WHNT Channel 19 meteorologists Dan Satterfield, Ben Smith, and Alan Raymond were there to discuss weather preparedness for the upcoming summer, particularly concerning tornado and thunderstorm preparation. They also programmed weather radios for guests who had brought theirs and discussed purchasing an appropriate one with those who did not have one.

Randy Joyner, USASMDC/ARSTRAT safety director, was pleased with the dayAca,!a,,cs outcome and credited the leadership for their involvement.

Aca,!A"The Joint Safety Awareness Day was a success due to the commandAca,!a,,cs emphasis on safety,Aca,!A? said Joyner. Aca,!A"Our leadership realizes investing in safety is a force enhancer.Aca,!A?

Bringing the two organizations together in a casual, outdoor environment was important to organizers of the event.

Aca,!A"It was an opportunity for both commands to join forces to provide safety awareness to our employees in an informative and relaxed atmosphere,Aca,!A? Joyner said.

Another key component in making the day successful was the collective contribution of the vendors, and organizers of the event say they hope that the lessons continue to resonate with the attendees.

Aca,!A"I was impressed by the strong safety messages relayed by all the vendors,Aca,!A? said Carl Johnson, MDA Safety and Occupational Health Program manager.

Aca,!A"It is my desire that the participants take the safety message back to their workplaces, their homes, and their communities,Aca,!A? said Johnson. Aca,!A"Safety day must be every day.Aca,!A?