Annual Safety Survey -As of Dec 31 there are 14 units who have failed to complete the National required Annual Safety Survey. As one of the larger wings in CAP, it has always been a challenge to complete the requirement before the due date on Dec 31. In the past we have had difficulty in completing this requirement. Hence the change in due dates by Wing and Region. I would like to thank all the units for making the effort to complete the requirement. This dedication to Safety in the wing is helping change the "lack of safety culture" concept that has plagued us in the past. Group commanders will need to contact their squadrons to assist them in completing this important requirement.
BE SAFE! More Requirements due in January - In January many safety items come due. For all squadrons, send a copy to your Group headquarters for them to compile a package to send to Wing. Squadrons do not send it directly to Wing.
Here is the list:
- Unit Safety Meeting Schedule - subject and date due at Wing by 15 Jan.
- Unit Commanders Safety Policy - If no change from last years, just send an email stating "no change" to Wing HQ by 15 Jan.
- This is a good time to verify that all the required safety documents are in vehicles and aircraft. OIC's should be contacted to verify this requirement.
Are your members current?
Unit commanders should check to see that all members are current on the monthly safety meeting requirement, the basic and intermediate safety and ORM courses (Operational Resouce Management) and if they touch an aircraft, the "aircraft Handling Video" which is required to be renewed every October.
Safety Reports
As a reminder, all Safety written reports go to Wing HQ. You may send a copy to me, but the requirement is that the records be maintained at Wing HQ's only. Also remember to record all safety briefings on the e-services and this includes activities of any nature.
Operational Risk Management
ORM - Remember the requirements for unit commanders and safety officers have been announced by National Headquarters. All unit commanders and activity commanders and the safety officers for the unit and activity must complete the basic and technician safety ratings and both ORM courses. These courses are located in the Safety area of the National Web page and have all the information required to complete the open book test. The tests vary from 20 to 25 questions and each course should not take longer than 30 minutes. The results are automatically transferred to your training record in e-Services.
Safety Bulletin Boards - Safety Bulletin Boards are required at every unit level. On this board you should have the Unit, Group, Wing, Region and National Safety Newsletters and a sign in sheet for those who missed the Units Monthly Safety Meeting. Also on the board, any safety related material should be posted. For units that don't have a permanent dedicated meeting area, a portable board can be used and put out at each meeting. If you have CAP pilots and aircrew members assigned to your unit, a sign indicating the location of the Pilot's and Aircrew information material would be a good idea. Along the same idea, a vehicle operator's information folder or file would be a good idea also.
Operation CAPSafe - Operation CAPSafe is now on-line. Go to e-services and click on CAP Safety Suggestions on the left-hand menu. This should make entries easier for your Safety Suggestions as well as giving the Safety Team tracking capabilities for Operation CAPSafe entries.
Safe and Happy New Year
And finally the Wing Safety Staff would like to wish all the members a Safe and Happy New Year. Use common sense when driving, no drinking and driving, no distractions while driving and be a defensive driver.
AOPA Safety Resources
A host of Web resources to make you a safer pilot - For those unit safety officers looking for alternate means for pilots who miss their monthly safety meetings, try these from AOPA.
SAFETY - Everyone is a Safety Officer!
