RAF Lakenheath initiates Airman Safety Council

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  As a Air Force first, the 48th Fighter Wing Safety Office at RAF Lakenheath has started-up an Airman's Safety Council. 

The ASC is a safety office initiative to change the persona of safety regulations coming from leadership and allowing Airmen an opportunity to be directly involved with safety issues. 

"Airmen from the ranks of airman basic to senior airman are the prime target area for mishaps on- and off-duty," said Staff Sgt. Scott Richard, 48 FW safety office non-commissioned officer. "The safety council gives (Airmen) the power to come up with their own ideas on lowering mishap rates and increasing safety publicity." 

The wing safety office gets feedback constantly about presentations and videos that are shown for training and awareness, Sergeant Richard said. The majority of the feedback focused on how unreal and boring the items are. The ASC can now develop their own videos for safety awareness that meets the main target demographic, themselves. 

To promote awareness to a younger demographic, the Airman safety council will focus on the "real issues" Airmen deal with involving driving, alcohol and drugs to name a few. 

"As of now, the safety council is comprised of eight Airmen, and we definitely encourage more participants," Airman 1st Class Jedediah Sherwood, ASC chairman said. "We meet monthly and talk about current issues regarding Airmen and safety and try to come up with ideas to promote awareness." 

Since the start-up of the council, they have made two Airman's safety videos that were viewed base-wide. The ASC has also dressed up as crash test safety dummies and paraded in front of the bases entrance gates to provide safety tips to Airmen face-to-face as they entered the gate. They also attended this year's Safety Road Show, where again, they made one-on-one contact with individuals on the importance of safety. 

"We just want to get the word out about safety," Airman Sherwood said. "I know we hear it all the time, but I think when young people hear it from us; it tends to stick with them a bit more. This program was put together because Airmen make up a large part of the Air Force. The safety office wants us to be fully aware of the safety issues we are faced with every day." 

Sergeant Richard said that inputs from Airmen are vital to the Air Force, seeing that they make up a large portion. If we have our Airmen getting injured, it affects the overall mission. 

"They are the future leaders, supervisors and trainers of our Air Force," Sergeant Richard said. "This puts safety directly in their control as far as publicity and awareness. As a safety NCO, I do not always get the whole story when I speak to Airman in the work center. The ASC is made up of Airman from all work centers, squadrons, and specialty codes." 

They are co-workers and friends, so they are honest with each other and tell it like it is, Sergeant Richard added. This gives the ASC direct information to what is causing hazards and safety issues. 

Overall, whether it is coming from an Airman's or a safety perspective, the main goal is to teach Team Lakenheath that safety is a valuable tool. 

"The ASC brings safety to the lowest possible level and gives them a voice," Sergeant Richard said. "Although the council is directed towards our younger audience, ideas are open to everyone. Help us, help you "Make the Right Call.'''