Event emphasizes safety to community

Spc. Nathan Leo, 21th Military Police Detachment, demonstrates the ability of a working dog to assist military police in apprehending individuals with the aid of Kwando, 3, a Belgian Malinois.

Fort Belvoir community members were reminded about the importance of safety on the job, in the home and at play during a Safety Day event at Specker Field House on May 17.

Installation leaders, safety officials and representatives from many safety-related organizations were on hand to emphasize the importance of safety to event attendees. Safety awards were given to individuals and organizations for outstanding efforts in accident prevention.

"Safety is everybody's business," said Patricia Borel, a safety specialist at the Fort Belvoir Safety Office. "A lot of people look at it as if it's up to the safety specialist. It's up to everybody. Everybody needs to know safety at work and at home because safety is a day-to-day thing. When you constantly remind people about safety, eventually it'll sink in. If you keep telling them and showing them, eventually they'll realize that this is something that they really have to look at on a daily basis."

Before safety awards were handed out, Installation Commander Col. Brian Lauritzen spoke to the audience at the Specker Field House to remind them of the importance of safety.

"Whether you're a uniformed member, civilian or part of the support network that's providing contract support for the installation or anywhere in the world, you are by definition involved in a hazardous work environment," said Lauritzen. "The key point is to make sure that you think before you act. You have a briefing before you go out on a major exercise. One of the components of the now six-paragraph field order is safety. Everything that we do has to be focused in on preserving our capabilities to perform and execute the standards. Safety Day is a way for us to take time out and emphasize that point to our workforce."

Many safety-related organizations set up booths inside and outside Specker Field House. One of those organizations was the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

"We came because they asked us to," said Norman Maer, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. "Our big mission is safety. We don't do any law enforcement or anything like that. We teach courses on boating, on safety and basic information that you should know if you own a boat. We conduct examinations at the marinas for all of the safety equipment required on board and then we go out on patrols on weekends to see if anybody needs assistance."

The event was a learning experience for not only service members and workers, but for families as well.

"I wanted to take the kids and show them what safety means," said Anne McCurdy, a Fort Belvoir resident and military spouse. "I wanted to show them the fire trucks and let them have an educational experience. I always come out and support Fort Belvoir. I think it's important to support the programs."