AETC Critical Days of Summer - Fatality Free Published Sept. 21, 2010 By Jessica Turner Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The results are in - for the first time in five decades, Air Education and Training Command ended the Critical Days of Summer with zero fatalities! Every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Air Force campaigns for safety during the critical days of summer, a reminder that encourages Airmen to focus on the increased risk of injuries and fatalities resulting from the climate-favorable season. This year was AETC's first fatality free critical days of summer since 1960. General Stephen Lorenz, commander, Air Education and Training Command believes careful efforts by everyone made this year's goal a success. "I commend our Airmen, civilians and commanders for their outstanding efforts during the 2010 Critical Days of Summer. AETC began this summer with zero fatalities, and for the first time in more than 50 years we did not lose one member of our team during this dangerous period," General Lorenz said. "I challenged Airmen to minimize their risks and to look out for each other and for their families, and they responded by exceeding all expectations." According to data from the AETC Safety Directorate here, the primary causes of in injuries or death are privately owned vehicles and recreational activities. "Over the last several years, statistics show an average of three fatalities during the summer campaign," said Master Sgt, Scotty Johns, AETC ground safety superintendent. "More often fatalities are due to POV and other recreational accidents caused by human error, poor judgment, driving under the influence and the failure to wear seatbelts." David Etrhein, AETC occupational safety manager said while the safety division is happy with recent success, safety offices still challenge everyone in the command to continue their efforts in preventing mishaps. "With only nine days to go to the end of the fiscal year, AETC has only had one fatality (Nov. 21)," Mr. Etrhein said. "Our command is only 60 days from accomplishing our first ever ground mishap fatality free annual year in AETC." AETC's director of safety is thankful for the participation and dedication of all Airmen, and hopes the men and women of the command can continue the safety goal. "The summer of 2010 will always be memorable in that, for the first time ever, we didn't have to make any sad phone calls to notify moms and dads that their child was lost in a senseless preventable mishap," said Col. John W. Blumentritt, AETC safety director. "It's a testament to commanders, supervisors and wingmen at every level that their efforts are paying off. It's going to take an equal or even greater effort by all to keep this positive trend going into the next fiscal year and beyond." This remarkable record for AETC is attributed to many factors Sergeant Johns and Mr. Etrhein agreed. "The accomplishment was built from strong senior leadership support highlighting risk management, to include tremendous involvement by our command chiefs, first sergeants, military training leaders, instructors, motorcycle safety mentors, and supervisors who talked with their people about reducing risks," Mr. Etrhein said. Sergeant Johns added, "Most importantly, it came down to individuals and their wingmen acting responsibly and safely, and each wing safety office spreading the safety message to our Airmen." While the summer campaign has been a great success, the effort does not end here, as the winter months are approaching, Airmen and their Wingmen should consider safety year-round. "As we move forward into our fall safety program, continue to keep safety in the forefront of your everyday activities," General Lorenz said. "With daylight hours getting shorter and with school being back in session there are more kids out and less light to see by. The weather is starting to change for the worse, and it is imperative that we maintain our focus and continue to be good Wingmen for the season to come."