Critical Days of Summer safety campaign begins

Published May 21, 2012
By Kevin Gaddie
Team Eglin Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Critical Days of Summer safety campaign kicked off May 17 at the enlisted hall with safety briefings on drinking and driving, swimming, traffic and boating.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Merchant, the Air Armament Center commander, was the first of five speakers. While encouraging the attendees to enjoy the summer, he said this year's driving under the influence incident numbers are higher than last year's.

"Last year at this time, we had 38 DUIs on base," he said. Right now, we're on track to have 48 DUIs. It's enough of an increase in the trend that I'm concerned."

Merchant's message to uniformed personnel who get a DUI on base was straightforward.

"If you're enlisted, you will lose a stripe," he said. "If you're an officer, you could lose your career. We're not fooling around with this. I'm asking all of you to make the right decisions, think about the outcome and consequences of your actions and be good wingmen."

Capt. Dave Teufel, a lifeguard with Destin Beach Rescue, warned the audience about drinking alcohol and swimming; stressed observing beach signs and warning flags; encouraged seeking shelter when lightning is present; and asked families to watch their children closely in the water.

He explained how to escape from a rip current. "If you get caught in a rip current, don't panic," he said. "Relax and swim parallel to the beach, until you're clear of it."

When reporting a drowning over the phone to emergency personnel, Teufel said it's important for a caller to give an exact location of the drowning, not a general location.

Next, deputy sheriff Bill Harwood, with Okaloosa County's traffic enforcement division, addressed traffic safety.

"When you're driving, concentrate on the driving and not all the things going on in your life," he said. "Inattention to the road and speed limit signs can lead to traffic accidents and if you're going to drink, don't drive."

BM2 Mike Zubillaga, a member of U.S. Coast Guard Station Destin, offered three pieces of boating safety advice.

"If you're going to party on a boat, party with a plan," he said. "Be aware of boating under the influence. A BUI can also cost an enlisted Airman a stripe or end an officer's career. Know where you are at all times, so we can locate you if you require our assistance, and always wear a life jacket while boating."

1st Lt. Morgan Bergman, a member of Eglin's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and Treatment program office, encouraged the '0-0-1-3' concept of zero drinks if underage, zero drinks if driving, one drink per hour and no more than three drinks in an evening. She also said the ADAPT program welcomes self-referrals for any military member's alcohol-related issues.

The last speaker was Col. Rex Williams, the 96th Air Base Wing chaplain. He asked the audience to take personal responsibility for their own actions and "love your neighbor as yourself."

"When you're out and about over the summer, chances are your wingman isn't going to be with you most of the time," he said. "You're going to have to be you own wingman. That's where 'love yourself' comes in.

"Ask yourself 'what would my wingman, or my first sergeant, or my mother say, if he or she was here, as I'm contemplating having another drink?'' he continued. "Once you can be your own wingman and take responsibility for your own actions, you can be a wingman for someone else."