RESOLUTIONS … AND SOLUTIONS

  • Published
  • By Col. James L. Fisher, AETC director of safety
Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution?

It revolves around the idea that you will take something that might have been lacking from last year, make a positive change and expect some new results.

I’ve never been much on New Year’s resolutions. I find that I only let myself down when two weeks into the New Year, I can’t continue a new habit pattern and only get frustrated when I fall back into my old ways. This year, however, I’d like you to consider making a resolution to continue to apply the solid risk management and decision making that you showed throughout 2014. We had the safest year in the Air Force’s history with regard to Class A flying mishaps and also had one of the safest years in the last 10 with regard to on-duty and off-duty ground mishaps.

These statistics don’t necessarily tell us that we are doing everything correctly, but that in a majority of cases are making good risk-based decisions.

So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Well …

Even with our recent success, it seems like we in the safety business are always reliving Ground Hog Day. We sometimes see the same old mishaps coming around again and again. Winter driving conditions are hazardous and people driving too fast or without the proper equipment always make it risky for everyone on the roads. Then spring hits and motorcycles are back on the road in full force – a whole new driving condition to consider. Just use common sense and slow down when the road conditions deteriorate or suddenly change. And avoid driving distractions, such as cell phone use. This will go a long way to ensure we all return to serve another day.

Finally, we recently lost an Airman in our command to an unfortunate mishap that was the result of being stuck by a drunk driver while walking along the side of the road. The loss of one single member of the Air Education and Training Command team is devastating to any work-center or unit, but one that is totally preventable is even more tragic. Please continue to watch out for each other, be good wingmen and don’t be afraid to confront your fellow Airmen when you see them about to make poor choices that might have severe consequences.

Hope you have a great year and resolve to make it a safe one.