GONZALES: Safely is #1 and so, in Ascension Composite Squadron, the first Monday of the month is the scheduled time for the required safety training. Normally supervised by Captain Mark Attusso, Safety Officer, the agenda allows 15-20 minutes for the briefing. However, what happens when the first Monday is a holiday or the Safety Officer does not have the time to prepare for a briefing?
Not having a safety briefing is rarely a problem for Ascension. There is always a cadet ready to step up and provide a briefing on some topic. This happened in September when the squadron found themselves without Safety officer after returning from Labor Day holiday week and following Hurricane Isaac. As Unit Commander tossed around ideas to the squadron about a safety topic, it was suggested that perhaps a cadet would have something. Not one but two cadets stepped up to the plate. C/CMSgt Blank offered an impromptu briefing about tool safety which he was knowledgeable about through his job at a body shop and C/CMSgt Delbasty added additional notes about a topic fresh on all our minds, the flooding. He reminded us that as the water rose, it displaced a lot of critters that are not showing up in places you may least expect.
If safety briefing in your squadron are becoming dry and boring, spice them up and ensure cadets are staying involved by asking them to present a briefing. After all, public speaking is part of their leadership training and expectations. Just remind them, it is called a "Briefing" for a reason - keep it brief !
Other cadets who have provided safety briefings to our squadron this year were:
C/SSgt Pike.............. ORM Training
C/1LT Frederick........ Hydration
C/CMSgt Delbasty.... FOD
C/SrAm Nezat........... Hurricanne Safety
C/TSgt Townsend..... Knife Safety
**Thanks to Captain Attusso and all the Senior Members for supporting and encouraging the cadets in this area
