Friday, May 16, 2008

Safety Day hits a home run with visitors

Despite a persistent rain throughout the morning, Fort Belvoir’s annual Installation Safety Day had another successful turnout May 8.
Sponsored by the Installation Safety Office, more than 20 vendors from around Belvoir participated in the event. They included the Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation; the American Red Cross; the Fort Belvoir Fire Department and Mothers against Drunk Driving. 
One of those manning a table was Ron Myers, a lab specialist for the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. In the spirit of Safety Day, Myers explained the importance of his unit’s mercury spill kit and its sensory-enhanced laser goggles, just two of the items on display for visitors.
“In the case of a small spill, we use specially marked canisters that can keep the mercury from spreading. When handling a metallic element like mercury, you can never be too careful,” Myers pointed out. “As for the laser goggles, because they have the flaps going completely around, they will not damage your cornea and will better protect your eyes from radiation spectrums.”
Representing the Directorate of Information Management was Bob Constant, a government contractor for its Information Assurance Division. From a safety standpoint, he was there answering questions about the DoD’s new policy for anti-virus software.
“The department has instituted a provision for the protection of their network assets to include one’s home computer,” Constant said. “That means all DoD employees are eligible to download the latest anti-virus and firewall software for free onto whatever they’re using at home. In this day in age, and with everything over the internet, it’s certainly a worthwhile investment.”
Though available to all active-duty personnel, including the Reserves and National Guard members, contractors and retirees are not eligible to participate, Constant said. However, he added the Army does have an agreement with Microsoft where individuals can get a licensed copy of its Microsoft Office program for home use. The employee will only be responsible for shipping and handling.
“It’s great to see everyone come together and be partners on safety,” installation commander Col. Brian Lauritzen said. “There are many great organizations here at Fort Belvoir. When united towards one common goal, that’s saying something to everyone who lives here.”
Lauritzen later recognized more than 30 employees and volunteers with a round of safety awards. The acknowledgement was in honor of their hard work and dedication over the past year and included government contractors with the Directorate of Logistics, as well as several paramedics with DeWitt Army Community Hospital.
Attention then shifted outside Specker Field House to the parking lot, where the Belvoir Fire Department demonstrated how to remove someone who has been injured in a car accident.