Team Incirlik gets Street Smart

by Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

8/5/2014 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey  -- More than 500 service members and dependents gathered at the base theater for a Street Smart safety presentation here Aug. 1.

Florida firefighters from the Stay Alive From Education Inc., shared the possible consequences of not wearing seatbelts, eating, texting and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

"We really appreciate what the military does for us at home," said Ronnie Garcia, Tampa Fire Rescue firefighter. "It is great to be able to come out here and give something back. If we can change the way one Airman thinks with this presentation, then we are giving back."

To illustrate the message, the S.A.F.E. team presented photos from a few tragic situations which were caused by distracted driving. They also stressed the importance of looking out for your peers.

The 2014 Critical Days of Summer theme holds true when out on the road. Risk: Double checks, not second thoughts, remind you to be responsible wingmen and to take care of yourselves, your families and your teammates.

"I think Street Smart is a great program to give the first hand perspective about traffic mishaps," said Tech. Sgt. Fatimat Bello, 39th Air Base Wing Safety investigations NCO in charge. "All too often people think 'this won't happen to me, or that will never happen' however, the presenters will show you that it can and has happened if you choose to put yourself in a bad situation."

Although it was a mandatory presentation for Team Incirlik members 26 and under, the 39th Air Base Wing Safety Office encouraged audiences of any age to attend.

"You never really think about how not wearing your seatbelt in the back of a car could hurt someone in the front," said Airman 1st Class Jamie Sheppard, 39th Communications Squadron cyber transport technician.

The Air Force Safety Center Headquarters reported that 38 Airmen were lost in 2013 due to personal motor vehicle mishaps which were cause by reckless driving, speed and alcohol.

Airmen are constantly reminded to be good wingmen in and out of uniform, and that responsibility carries over behind the wheel.