By James F. Antonucci, Training Support Center Great Lakes Public Affairs
GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- Students, staff and civilians attached to Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes attended the Summer Safety Stand Down at Naval Station Great Lakes' Ross Theatre, May 2-3.
The stand down provides safety information motorcycle safety, distracted driving, aggressive driving, driving and fatigue, seat belts, drinking and driving, recreational off-duty safety, and recognizing hazards and unsafe conditions.
Statistically, most fatalities and serious injuries to Sailors and Marines related to the stand downs' topics are between Memorial Day and Labor Day; so prior to this period, information and training is provided as a reminder. Training such as this shows the importance of each and every Sailor at TSC and the command's commitment to keep every shipmate safe and healthy during the summer months and year round as well.
Event coordinator, Randy R. Carpenter, Naval Education and Training Command North Region leader and TSC Great Lakes safety manager commented, "Every year we attempt to make the Summer Safety Stand Down as interesting as possible by adding new videos, bring in guest speakers from MADD, Lake County Sherriff's Department and even have the Crash Dummies make an appearance. If we can keep the information interesting I think we have a good shot at helping them make good choices."
Lake County Deputy Sherriff Maureen Kinyon spoke to the audience about new laws, seat belt usage and drunk driving. He stressed the impact of individuals driving impaired, whether it be alcohol, texting or inattention, and the senseless loss of lives.
Speakers for the annual event also included Chaplin Lt. Cmdr. Alexander J. Borzych of the TSC Chapel staff and the Command Drug and Alcohol Advisor (DAPA), Susan E. Shank. Borzych spoke about acting on impulse and how important it was to think one's actions through and not fall prey to peer-pressure or destructive activities.
The DAPA reiterated these thoughts and noted the severe impact alcohol overindulgence or illegal drug usage will have on a Sailor's career. Sailors need to think things through. As most vehicle accidents and other injuries the command experiences can be traced back to these two items, they have become the focal point of most of the dialog.
A major point of the program was Time Critical Risk Management (TCRM). As an objective of the program, it was important to get Sailors to recognize that if something is too dangerous, they should make the choice not to conduct the activity. Then, if the hazard can be eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level through engineering, training or personal protective equipment, then they can conduct the activity safely.
Comments from Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW) Charles G. Hood, covered the importance of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Behaviors (CSADD) organization at Great Lakes and the opportunities of activities it offers. CSADD provides optional activities other than drinking to show Sailors that having a good time doesn't have to involve alcohol.
TSC Executive Officer Cmdr. Mary D. Blankenship finished by saying, "Safety is paramount to what we do in the Navy, both on and off duty. My hope is that after this stand down, some nagging reminiscence will prompt the Sailor to click that seat belt each and every time, to have a plan before going out for drinks, to get a good night's sleep before a long trip, to pull over and rest if feeling fatigued on the road, to ride motorcycles safely, boat with life vests, and never text while driving."
"If this stand down saves one life, it was a worthwhile investment of our time and resources."
Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes is the only training command located within the same vicinity as Boot Camp and is the home of five learning sites operated independently. The command supports 85% of the Surface Navy School and averages 13,500 Student throughputs per year.
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