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News

Safety Day renders stark reminder

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samantha Saulsbury
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The 460th Space Wing Safety Office organized a day to pause and reflect on risk management and safety Aug. 12 on Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.

Safety Day consisted of presentations and stories designed to raise awareness of making poor decisions on the road.

During the training, two paramedics with Stay Alive From Education, Inc., gave an eye-opening presentation of a trauma scene using the medical equipment they use daily in their jobs, emulating what it feels like to be the victim of a vehicle crash. The briefing also featured photos of real-life accidents while leading a discussion on the importance of making responsible decisions.

"We always want to believe that this stuff doesn't happen," said Ronny Garcia, training coordinator for Florida SAFE, Inc. "Do you realize every 12 minutes in the United States someone dies in a car wreck? What's really frightening and sobering about that is the families sitting at home that don't have a clue until the knock on the door that they are going to get in a couple hours. The numbers are astronomical when you start to figure out how it can impact so many people's lives by making a few bad choices."

In the afternoon, Team Buckley members who had been involved in various types of accidents or close-calls spoke about their experiences. Officers and paramedics of the Aurora Police Department and Rural/Metro Ambulance also spoke, giving insight into the life of an emergency responder and the consequences of impaired or distracted driving.

"You are an important part of our community," said James Wright, 460th SW Safety Office deputy chief.

When you leave today, I hope that some of this has sunk in and you make the right decision before getting in a vehicle, he added.

Throughout the day, one message was loud and clear: Making poor choices before getting behind the wheel not only affects the victims; it affects everyone.

"If you can prevent something ... that's the goal of today," said 460th SW commander Col. John Wagner. "The whole goal is because we care about you. I want to see you at your work center performing your mission better than anyone else. I need everybody. I can't do this mission by myself."

For more information on safety initiatives, call the 460th SW Safety Office at 720-847-7233.

 

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