October 23, 2014 -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany officials will host two safety events at the Base Theater, here: a drug task force speaker, Friday, and a 2014 Winter Operational Pause, today.
The purpose of these two events is to conduct a stand down to increase awareness about illegal drugs encountered by law enforcement as well as to discuss winter and holiday safety, according to Bob James, deputy director, Operations and Training Division, MCLB Albany.
Drug task force speaker
MCLB Albany substance abuse officials have invited guest speaker Sgt. Victor Camp, investigator, Dougherty County Police
Department, to discuss Friday from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Base Theater the use of illegal drugs within the Albany, Georgia, area.
The event coincides with the 2014 Red Ribbon Week, themed “Love Yourself. Be Drug Free.”
“I want them to be aware of what’s out there so that they can take action as required,” Col. Don Davis, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, said. “This is intelligence on illegal activities that our Marines can avoid, and if exposed to it, can assist in the prevention.
“Just say no to the use of illegal drugs,” he added. “If a Marine is using illegal drugs, seek help from the Substance Abuse Counseling Center immediately.”
The Red Ribbon Campaign® was started when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985, according to redribbon.org/about/.
In response to the murder, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America, according to the website.
The Red Ribbon Campaign® is now the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of young people during Red Ribbon Week®, Oct. 23-31 each year, according to redribbon.org/2013_RR_Fact_Sheet.pdf.
For more information about illegal drugs and prevention, call the Substance Abuse Counseling Center at 229-639-7941.
2014 Winter Operational Pause
Another way MCLB Albany is keeping its Marines and civilian-Marines safe is through the 2014 Winter Operational Pause.
Davis noted this is an opportunity to “refresh ourselves with potential threats to our safety during the winter months and holidays.
“Complacency kills,” he said. “Anytime you discuss risks before an event or season it reminds us not to be complacent, and therefore, we can avoid future mishaps.”
He stressed it is important to conduct the all-day event to, “immerse ourselves in the winter safety issues, and taking the whole day emphasizes the importance of our Marines and their safety.”
James said Marines and civilian-Marines will conduct their training separately.
Marines will begin their training today at 8 a.m. inside the Base Theater. They will be divided into groups where Marines will conduct training at various locations throughout the base, giving noncommissioned officers and staff noncommissioned officers an opportunity to display small unit leadership.
At one location, Marines will learn how to properly inspect their automobiles or motorcycles before getting on the road, he said.
“We are coming into the fall and winter season, and we have quite a few holidays that are coming up where military service members and civilian-Marines travel greater distances to be with family and friends,” James said.
Other topics will include suicide awareness and prevention, alcohol and substance abuse, automobile vehicle and motorcycle safety, off-duty recreation with an emphasis on hunting safety and fire prevention.
James said fire safety is very important especially this time of year because, “we are getting into the colder season where people will start using their heating systems such as fire places and portable heaters.”
He also said this is the time to refocus from summertime activities to fall and winter activities, such as paying attention to hunters in the woods.
Civilian-Marines are responsible for completing their training individually, according to James.
“Supervisors have the flexibility on how to conduct the training,” he said. “The training for civilian-Marines is focused more on workforce safety issues including hearing conservation, hazardous materials and Voluntary Protection Programs readiness assessment.”
“Overall, we want every Marine and civilian-Marine to have an enjoyable holiday season and to make it back and be productive in the workforce,” James said.