JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- If you’ve experienced a summer in Alaska, you’ll know that they are second to none. The clear blue skies, vibrant green mountains, and endless sun make seven months of winter completely worth it.
As Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and their families enjoy barbecues, kayaking, riding bikes, and many other summer activities, it’s important that they never question proper risk management.
The Air Force’s top three leaders are not taking summer safety lightly either as they recently signed a memorandum reiterating the importance of exercising diligence in all we do.
“Over the past decade, preventable accidents on and off-duty have tragically claimed 16 Airmen lives on average per year during the summer months,” the memo read. “Last summer our team suffered 797 accidents that took us away from work for at least one day and added up to a total cost in readiness of over 32 man-years.”
Leadership at all levels should take time to discuss risk management practices with their units.
“Alaskan summers get people outside participating in high-risk activities such as riding ATVs, fishing, kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, and this is a good time to reiterate that it is a Pacific Air Forces requirement to fill out an AF4391 (High-Risk Activity Form) if you desire to participate in any high-risk activities,” said noncommissioned officer in charge of installation safety, Tech Sgt. Jennifer Tuepker. “The purpose behind this is to ensure supervisors are aware of the activities their troops are doing in their off-duty time and allow them to gauge the experience level of the member.”
JBER had approximately 36 off-duty summer related injuries last year. To ensure risk is cut to a minimum, Tuepker will stay very active this summer.
“To get the word out, we provide a safety demonstration at every newcomer’s briefing and we send out updated safety information to all of our unit safety representatives,” Tuepker said. “However, the easiest way to stay on top of JBER and Air Force safety standards is by checking out our JBER Safety Facebook page where we provide the most up-to-date, year-round safety information.”
High-risk activity forms and safety briefs may create the instinctive grunt of dissatisfaction but before you release that sigh, understand the importance behind them.
“Plan for the unexpected, make wise choices, and avoid unnecessary risks,” the memo said. “Your families need you, and our nation needs you to be healthy and fit to accomplish our mission.”
For those unfamiliar with Alaska summer activities or for experienced individuals who’d like to fine-tune their skills, JBER’s Outdoor Adventure Program offers safety classes on ATVs, white water rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and many other high-risk and casual summer activities. For more information, please visit the JBER Life website at www.jberlife.com