Holiday safety campaign kicks off with "Street Smart" program

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The annual Holiday Traffic Safety Campaign was held at the Enlisted Heritage Hall here Nov. 17.

The campaign was presented by the Air Armament Center safety office to remind both Airmen and civilians about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; texting or e-mailing while driving; and not wearing seat belts.

"We have a mission to do here, and we can't do it without you," Brig. Gen. David Harris, the AAC vice commander, said to the packed room in his opening remarks. "We need you to be safe and we need you to be productive at work. I want you to have a great time over the holidays; I just want you to be smart and survive it."

Patrick Kelly and Chris Stocks, Florida Stay Alive From Education instructors, presented "Street Smart," an hour-long program which combined slides, video and audience participation to show real-life, often graphic accounts of people who suffered the consequences of driving after using alcohol or drugs.

The S.A.F.E. instructors also presented options attendees could utilize to make rational, responsible choices for their safety and well-being.

Airman 1st Class Corey Shanno, a member of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, was chosen from the audience to act as a victim being transported from an accident scene to a hospital. During each step of the process, the instructors related the possible short and long-term scenarios he could face from suffering both internal and external injuries.

The possibility of his parents being notified of his 'crash' hit Shanno the hardest.

"It really makes you think," Shanno said. "You don't want your parents to go through something like that. It was definitely an eye-opener."

Kelly said the "Street Smart" program isn't designed to lecture. It's used to heighten safety awareness and prevent injuries and fatalities that can result from making poor choices.

"This presentation is not new information," Kelly said. "It's just a reminder to make good choices, use common sense and have a plan during the holidays."