Here it is December and with that all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, but this is a time when accidents can occur due to rushing or just not thinking ahead. It is a time for parties and good times, however it is also a time for over-indulging in drinking alcohol. Make a steadfast rule that you will always have a designated non-drinking driver do the driving. When you go shopping, always be aware of what is happening around you.  Don't leave money, gps, or any valuables in your vehicle so that it can be seen and that includes Christmas or holiday gifts. Park in well lit areas that are not isolated from the main stores.  If unsure about going out to your vehicle, ask a mall security guard to walk you to your vehicle.  Best yet is to shop with someone else. Also traffic around malls will be heavy with drivers maybe not paying close attention to their driving.

Safety Officer of the Year Award
It is that time of the year that Wing needs nominations for the various awards. We are looking for the unit commanders recommendations for PA Wing Safety Officer of the Year. Now is the time to reward your hard working safety officer with some recognition. The nomination should be a narrative describing what your unit safety officer has done during this last year.  These should be into Wing HQ by Jan 15.

 
Annual Safety Survey
This required safety item is required to be completed by Jan 31 of each year (See Note Below). On Nov 1, the on-line entry system was cleared and new inputs are being accepted.  Why not get this requirement completed and then you will not have me calling you in January to remind you to get it done.   NOTE Pa Wing along with NE Region has set the deadline for completion of the Safety Survey as Dec 31. Please print a copy and place in your files. No copies need to be sent to Wing or Group.

Commander's Safety Policy
Due each year to Wing Headquarters with a copy to the unit's Group headquarters.  It is a written narrative describing the Unit's Commander's safety policy and requirement's. A new policy is required only if the Unit commander or unit safety officer changes. Otherwise an email sent to wing indicating "no change" is all that is required. This is due to wing headquarters by Jan 15.

Unit Safety Schedule
A schedule of the unit's safety program for the required monthly safety briefing is required to be published once a year and due at wing headquarters by Jan 15. This can be written by the unit safety officer with approval by the unit commander. The schedule consists of the subject of each meeting and the date the briefing will be held at the unit. It is based on the calendar year and the results are inputted by the unit safety officer into e-services.

Unit Safety Day
Each unit must conduct an Annual Safety Day sometime during the months of January, February or March.  This will be the same type of briefing the units used to conduct in October and will be recorded in e-services as "Safety Day Meeting".  This will also take the place of the monthly safety briefing. Remember to check off the box that asks "Does this meet the annual safety meeting" when you fill out the safety briefing form.

Need A Gift For the Holidays?  
How about a fire extinguisher or a smoke/CO2 detector or an Emergency Weather Radio. 

Unit Commanders and Group Commanders, please verify with your safety officer that they are receiving this newsletter. If not, have them go to the Wing Web page and click on safety and scroll down to you see "Subscribe to the E-Safety newsletter".