Members of Florida Wing:
 
Colonel Levitch has directed the Florida Wing to conduct Safety Awareness Week from October 15-21, 2006. Safety Days or Stand Down Days are a tradition in the U.S. Air Force. Civil Air Patrol shares in this tradition.
 
"Stand-down days give us an opportunity to step back from the high pace and intensity of our day-to-day operations, where we can get consumed by the pressure of the moment. They give us a chance to think about exactly how we're doing our business -- what are the risks out there and what can we do to get rid of them."
    ---Gen. Richard Hawley, ACC commander, 22 Sep 1997
 
Unit meetings during this week are to be directed 100% toward safety topics such as: CAP Planes, Vans, Buildings, and the Activities we engage in while serving in Civil Air Patrol. You may set a special day for safety other than a regular meeting. Make it noteworthy, an event for the unit PAO to photograph and write about. Most of all make it meaningful and devote the whole week to safety!
 
Some ideas: 
 
Air crews can discuss risk analysis and the roles of the pilot, observer and scanner, weather and fatigue awareness and watching out for other aircraft and things like towers, birds and parachutists. Ground teams can review the hazards associated with their missions like dehydration, poisonous snakes and insects, dangerous weather and the safe operation of vans and equipment. Is the building you meet in safe? Are cadet activities conducted with both safety and fun in mind?
 
Think outside the box and determine a program that really is appropriate for your unit. You can even be outrageous! Commanders, I suggest appointing a Program Officer for Safety Awareness Week. It's a great opportunity to be creative and make a difference - a safety difference in the lives of your members. This is also a great time for those in the Safety Officer Specialty Track to give a briefing!
 
Of course there will be some paperwork. All units are required to submit a roster of those attending the Safety Week event(s). Also, a description of the event(s) must be submitted and digital photos will be most welcome.
 
From the squadron to wing staff this will be a week to Celebrate Safety! As the fiscal year comes to a close I want to congratulate all Florida wing members for the great year we had in Safety. The online reporting program has developed into a great safety tool. The word is out that Safety is here to stay in our wing and you are all an integral part of it! Wing staffmembers, Major Crist Fellman, Major Lee Wedlake and I, are committed to working with you to make Safety a real part of your life - always on your mind - the Safety Habit!
 
More to come about Safety Week...please get it on your schedule for October.
 
Bill Woody, Major, CAP
Florida Wing Director of Safety