VPP Awareness Week 2009 kicks off

  • Published
  • By Bob Ruminski
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing VPP manager
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The spring flowers are blooming, and bicyclists and runners are filtering out onto the roadways. Softball teams are getting ready to take to the fields and morale, welfare and recreation is ramping up for another season of outdoor equipment rental. As spring and summer merge to greet us, Team Travis members need to remind themselves that the "101 Critical Days of Summer" are not far behind. 

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Robert Ruminski and I have assumed the 60th Air Mobility Wing Voluntary Protection Program manager position. I am very happy to be a part of with Team Travis and look forward to serving the base and the command by improving on our already world-class Air Force safety programs. I have served as both enlisted and officer in the U.S. Navy and Air Force retiring after 23 years. I split time between the Special Operations community and flight nursing with 30 years of emergency and critical-care medicine experience. I'm excited to be able to share my experiences with Team Travis and help develop a "culture of safety" for our active duty, Reserve, civilian personnel and family members. 

To kick things off, we have organized a VPP awareness week starting March 23. We have an exciting line-up for the week including two main days of interactive education and experiences. On March 23, the National Save a Life tour will visit, featuring their High Impact Alcohol Awareness Education with the DUI Simulation Experience. The Save a Life Tour was developed to combat America's staggering problem with alcohol-related crashes. The program is committed to educating people about the dangers of getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol through the use of cutting-edge technology and a no-holds-barred attitude. 

Additionally, we've organized a Child Safety Seat Education and Inspection. California Highway Patrol officers and safety evaluators check your car seat to ensure it is properly fitted and installed in your vehicle, and they will also provide individual demonstrations on properly securing your child. This is a great time to get educated about this critical safety element in a nonpunitive setting. CHP will provide a no-cost replacement to seats they deem unsafe or that have been recalled. If you are interested in participating, let your unit safety representative know the make of your car seat and the weight of your child. This will allow them to have the perfect fit for the most cherished Team Travis VIP: your loved one! 

Remember in the Air Force VPP each one of you is charged with the duty of acting as your own safety manager. If a situation is unsafe, call a "time out." Discuss the hazardous issue with your team or crew and resolve it before continuing. Report any unresolved or unsafe incidents to your chain of command. If you don't know who to report it to, use the VPP "easy" button on the Travis Sharepoint site and we'll make sure the appropriate personnel are informed. 

Accidents are blind to rank. Take that extra second to analyze the situation and make sure you are going to act safely. Apply the old rule of "measure twice and cut once" to your daily actions and it will promote a safe atmosphere for you, your wingman and all of Team Travis. 

Have a Great, Safe Air Force Day!