Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    1/8

    43rd Composite Squadron, Waterbury, CT MAY

    Squadron Schedule

    5JUN12 Squadron MeetingES/Safety/Character Dev.Uniform: BDU/Polo

    8JUN12 Goshen StampedeGoshen, CTUniform: BDU

    2JUN12 Squadron Meeting

    AEUniform: BDU/Polo

    9JUN12 Squadron MeetingCPFT/Fitness ActivityUniform: PT/BDU/Polo

    3JUN12 CTWG Training ExerciseLocation TBDUniform: BDU/Polo

    3JUN12 PAWG Encampment/RCLSFort Indiantown GapAnnville, PA

    6JUN12 Squadron MeetingLeadershipUniform: Blues/Corporate

    3JUL12 Squadron MeetingES/Safety/Character Dev.Uniform: BDU/Polo

    0JUL12 Squadron MeetingAEUniform: BDU/Polo

    7JUL12 Squadron MeetingCPFT/Fitness Activity

    Uniform: PT/BDU/Polo0JUL12 NHWG/VTWG Encampment

    Norwich UniversityNorthfield, VT

    0JUL12 NYWG EncampmentStratton Air National Guard BaseScotia, NY

    2JUL12 MAWG EncampmentFort DevensDevens, MA

    4JUL12 Squadron MeetingLeadershipUniform: Blues/Corporate

    Cadets from the 143rd supported the 439thAeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS), based atWestover ARB in Chickopee, MA, during an exercisethat tested the skills of the 439th medical personnel.Cadets played the part of wounded soldiers with specificinjuries that ranged from severe burns andamputations to psychological injuries such as PostTraumatic Stress Disorder.

    The 143rd Composite Squadron

    Squadron Commander: Maj Timothy McCandlessDeputy Commander for Seniors: Lt Col Richard LevittDeputy Commander for Cadets: Maj Thomas Litwinczyk

    Cadet Commander: C/Lt Col Matthew McCandless

    Cadet First Sergeant: C/CMSgt Cameron Foster

    Regular Meetings every Tuesday 7-9pmConnecticut National Guard Armory

    64 Field Street, Waterbury, Connecticut

    www.gocivilairpatrol.com

    Cadets Participate in USAF Exercise

    Cadets take a moment to stand in front of the ag in the Base Hanger at Westover Air Reserve Base.

    The two day exercise had cadets participating inseparate exercises. The first scenario simulated acasualty event near the runway at Westover Cadets were assigned injuries that airmen the Exercise Evaluation Team applied motreatments and coached the cadets in the sympassociated with their injury. The 439th ASTinformed of the location of the exercise

    Above: Cadets simulate a mass casualty event.Left: USAF medics apply simulated wounds to cadets.

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    2/8

    uickly set up a field triage.The medics moved the mosterious patients to the Contingency Aeromedicaltaging Facility (CASF) that was set up in a nearbyanger. The medics were evaluated on their perfor-

    mance by the Exercise Evaluation Team and reviewedrocedures to effectively manage a large number ofasualties on short notice.

    he second exercise simulated both moving patientsnto an aircraft from a CASF and receiving patientsrom an aircraft to a CASF. Cadets were again assigned

    pecific injuries and the 439th Medics prepared themor air transport.

    Many of the 439th ASTS medics have deployed toAfghanistan, Iraq, Germany, Hawaii and other locationsn support of US Military Operations and hadonducted similar missions with actual patients. Thesexperienced personnel are sometimes required toct as patients for medics preparing to deploy for therst time. Because CAP was able to take on the rolef the patients, the experienced Air Force personnel

    were able to more effectively oversee the exercise andmake the most of the training day.

    Cadets were loaded on the C-130J aircraft both astretcher bound patients and as walking wounded.

    r Force Medics set up a triage and prepare to move the wounded. Cadets requiring stretchers were lined up in the CASF in preparation forbeing loaded into the C-130J.

    Stretchers are set in place in preparation for take off.

    The walking wounded are escorted to the aircraft . Cadets wait to be assigned new injuries on the C-130J during i

    Cadets enjoyed a pizza lunch on the picnic deck near the ightWestover ARB.he 439th ASTSs Psycologist set up an area to conduct a group therapyssion for cadets assigned to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder injur ies. A Chaplains Assistant conducts a eld service for C/SSgt Moran who wasmoved to the morgue area of the CASF.

    Cadets (l. to r.) C/SMSgt Devin Moore, C/2nd Lt Thaddaeus

    C/SMSgt Alec Beliveau and C/SSgt Sarah Eriksson took a turn the ight deck during ight and meet the pilots from the 143rdWing (Rhode Island Air National Guard).

    BS Channel 3 Springeld speaks with C/Maj Maggie Palys.

    2nd Lt Kelley Foster experiences her rst Military Airlift ight wson, C/CMSgt Cameron Foster.

    Once the aircraft was loaded it lifted off and flew foralmost an hour. This gave the Exercise Evaluation Teamenough time to assign new injuries to each cadet,apply moulage as necessary and brief the cadets. Therewas also enough time for all the cadets to spend sometime on the flight deck and talk to the pilots.

    Once the aircraft landed the 439th medics off-loadedthe cadets into the CASF, re-evaluated their injuriesand performed immediate actions as necessary. Theexercise was set up to allow training for the entire

    squadron including psychological injuries and evenmorgue and Chaplain Assistant functions.

    In addition to the exercises that involved the cadetsthe 439th ASTS conducted a medical evacuationexercise using a Blackhawk helicopter. The helicopterevacuation included practicing administering an IV tothe patients, so the cadets did not participate in thattraining.

    The members of the 143rd Composite Squadron werevery proud to help make this training exercise a suc-cess. While CAP often makes requests for supportfrom the Air Force it is a special privilege when weare able to return the favor.

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    3/8

    May Promotions

    The following members of the 143rd Comp

    Squadron were promoted in May:

    Lisa Abassi has been promot2nd Lt. This promotion reqcompletion of Level I of the SMember program and six mtime in grade as a Senior Membe

    Kelly Foster has been promot

    2nd Lt. This promotion reqcompletion of Level I of the SMember program and six mtime in grade as a Senior Membe

    Matthew McCandless

    completed the Eaker Award an

    been promoted to C/Lt Col.

    Drew Grosof has complete

    Billy Mitchell Achievement an

    been promoted to C/2nd Lt.

    Alec Beliveau has complete

    Gen Jimmy Doolittle Achieve

    and has been promoted to C/SM

    Devin Moore has complete

    Gen Jimmy Doolittle Achieve

    and has been promoted to C/SM

    Carlos Aponte has compthe Capt Eddie RickenbAchievement and has

    promoted to C/TSgt.Matthew McCarthy-Calabhas completed the Capt Rickenbacker Achievement has been promoted to C/TSgt.

    Sarah Eriksson has compthe Wright Brothers Achieveand has been promoted to C/SS

    Christain Tynan has compthe Wright Brothers Achieveand has been promoted to C/SS

    Celine Abassi has completeMary Feik Achievement and haspromoted to C/SrA.

    Nicole Crowe has complete

    Gen J F Curry Achievement an

    been promoted to C/Amn.

    Kristina Delp has complete

    Gen J F Curry Achievement an

    been promoted to C/Amn.

    Matthew DiBlanda has comp

    the Gen J F Curry Achievemen

    has been promoted to C/Amn.

    /Lt Col Matthew McCandless with his parents.

    /2nd Lt Drew Grosof with his parents. C/SMSgt Devin Moore and his grandmother (left) and C/SMSgt AlecBeliveau and his father (right).

    adet Carlos Aponte is promoted to C/TSgt by Maj McCandless. Maj Litwinczyk (l.) and Maj McCandless (r.) promote Cadet MatthewMcCarthy-Calabrese to C/TSgt.

    adet Sarah Eriksson is promoted to C/SSgt by Maj McCandless. Cadet Christain Tynan is promoted to C/SSgt by his uncle, USMC LanceCorporal Tynan.

    adet Celine Abassi is promoted to C/SrA by her mother, 2nd Lt Lisabassi.

    Cadets Nicole Crowe (center left) and Kristina Delp (center right) arepromoted to C/Amn by Maj McCandless (l.) and C/Capt Testman (r.)

    C/Capt Midhat Mullai is presented his Earhart Award Certicate byMaj McCandless.

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    4/8

    May Awards

    The following members of the 143rd Comp

    Squadron were earned awards in May:

    Alan Hinkson has been aw

    the Red Service Ribbon for two

    of service to CAP.

    Matthew McCandless has

    awarded the Community SeRibbon for sixty hours of comm

    service.

    Christain Tynan has been aw

    the Cadet Recruiting Ribbon

    recruiting four new members.

    Alec Beliveau has been aw

    the Cadet Recruiting Ribbon

    recruiting two new members.

    Megan Major has been aw

    the Cadet Recruiting Ribbon

    recruiting two new members.

    The Search & Rescue Find Award is given by thewing commander to any CAP member of the wingmaking a find (distress or non-distress) on a search

    nd rescue mission.

    The 143rd Composite Squadron located a non-dis-ress ELT signal at the Waterbury-Oxford Airportn April. The team included seven members whowere awarded their first non-distress Find Awardnd therefore are now autorized to wear Search &

    Rescue Find Ribbon. Those members are:

    Alec Beliveau Paul BeliveauDrew Grosof Alan HinksonJames Keaney Devin Moore

    Midhat Mullai

    Ground TeamMembers EarnFind Award

    Maj McCandless presents C/SMSgt Devon Moore (center) and2nd Lt James Keaney with Commander Commendation Awards.

    Cadets (l. to r.) C/SMSgt Alec Beliveau, C/CMSgt Megan MajorSSgt Christain Tynan report to Maj McCandless to be presented thRecruiter Ribbon.

    Ground Team Members (left to right) C/SMSgt Devon Moore, C/SMSgt Alec Beliveau, C/Capt Midhat Mullai, C/2nd Lt Drew Grosof, 2nd Keaney and 2nd Lt Paul Beliveau are awarded the Search & Rescue Find Award.

    During a routine ferry flight in March,members of the 143rd spotted aorest fire in Prospect, CT. They quicklyeported the fire and circled the area toeport the rate at which the fire waspreading.

    ecause they were not flying as part of anuthorized Search & Rescue Mission, they are

    ot eligible for a Search & Rescue Find Award.he Connecticut Wing Commander, Colassandra Huchko, agreed that their actionso deserve special recognition. For their ac-ons the three members of the aircrew, Capt

    Daniel Hanle, 2nd Lt James Keaney and/SMSgt Devin Moore are awarded theommanders Commendation Award.

    Aircrew Awarded Commanders Commendation

    This award marks completion of Phase IV of the

    Cadet Program, The Executive Phase. This phasenvolves five achievements: leadership officer, aero-pace education officer, operations officer, logisticsfficer, and cadet commander.

    The General Ira C. Eaker Award denotes successfulompletion of all sixteen achievements and fourhases of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program. Whilehis award recognizes cadet completion of the aca-emic, leadership, moral leadership and physical fit-ess curriculum in existence since 1964, this award

    was established by the National Board in 1995.This award honors the late Air Force General Ira C.

    aker, aviation pioneer, career military officer and

    ne of the chief architects and visionaries of theUS Air Force.

    General Ira C. Eaker Award

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    5/8

    143rd Open House

    C/CMSgt Major and C/TSgt Calabrese present a DDR Display.

    our members of the 143rd Composite Squadronttended the New York Wing Conference at the Fort

    William Henry Conference Center in Lake George,NY. Senior members Lt Col Levitt, Maj Litwinczyknd Maj Palys attended seminars and presentationsy NYWG staff members on a wide range of CAPelated topics. There were also many opportunitieso meet CAP members from accross NYWG.

    C/Maj Maggie Palys participated in the cadetctivities collectively known as the Cadet Fest.

    143rd Members Attend NYWG Conference

    (l. to r.) Maj Joe Palys, Col Jack Ozer (NYWG Commander), Maj TomLitwinczyk and Lt Col Rich Levitt.

    Cadets are assigned roommates (3 or 4 to a room)for the weekend and participate in workshops,competitions and social activities.

    The conference concluded with an awardsbanquet that included special award presentations, apresentation by the NYWG Cadet Honor Guard, alarge dance floor with DJ music and an extravagantbuffet dinner. After the banquet cadets gathered inthe indoor pool area for party.

    /Maj Maggie Palys (3rd from right) enjoys the banquet with her newiends from NYWG. C/Maj Palys was made an honorary member ofYWGs Finger Lakes Group for the weekend.

    143rd MembersPromote CAP aOakville SchooMembers of the 143rd recently set up a CAP dat St. Mary Magdallen School (SMMS) in OakCT. SMMS is a Catholic School with a program

    includes pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Smembers of the squadron are students at SMMwere invited to set up a CAP Display at the schannual Carnival & Fund Raiser event.

    Cadets created three large poster sized disone each describing Aerospace Education, Programs and Emergency Services. A laptop pvideos taken from the capchannel page of Cnational website. Photos of recent squadron eand CAP promotional items were also on displa

    Six cadets and two senior members spent the noon talking to students and parents at the sabout the opportunities available to CAP cadets

    2nd Lt Lisa Abassi and her daughter C/SrA Celine Abassi greet in front of the display.

    Cadets (l. to r.) C/CMSgt Matthew Belval, C/SMSgt Alec BelivSMSgt Devin Moore and C/2nd Lt Drew Grosof attended the eve

    C/Capt Midhat Mullai explains CAP to visitors.

    On May 28th the squadron held an Open Housevent and invited friends and family of squadron

    members as well as the public to learn morebout CAP. Cadet staff planned the event whichncluded displays and presentations for guests and aromotions and awards formation.

    Displays included Aerospace Education, Cadetrograms, Emergency Services, Drug Demand

    Reduction, and Color Guard. Cadets demonstratedDrill & Ceremonies and senior members conducted

    questions and answers session with parents.

    This was the largest open house in the five yearistory of the squadron. The guests were veryngaged by the displays and presentations. Theromotion formation was a busy one with twelveadets earning a promotion this month (a new one

    month record) and the many awards that wereresented. The next squadron open house wille planned for September after the new schoolear begins. Guests interact with the displays.

    C/CMSgt Belval set up a CAP ight simulator./SMSgt Lange invited her fr iend Bethany, who is a US Navy Sea Scout,learn more about CAP.

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    6/8

    enowned for its ruggedness, firepower and speed,he massive Republic P-47 was one of the most famousnd important USAAF fighters during World War II.roduced in larger numbers than any other U.S. fighter, thehunderbolt -- affectionately nicknamed the Jug --

    erved as a bomber escort and as a very effective groundttack fighter.

    he USAAF and several Allied nations used the P-47 inearly every combat theater. Through 1943 in Europe, the-47C and P-47D equipped the majority of 8th Air Forceghter groups in England (and one in the 15th Air Force in

    aly) as a long-range escort fighter. But since they couldntscort USAAF heavy bombers all the way to some targets,onger-ranged P-51 Mustangs gradually replaced them inhe escort role (with the sole exception of the 56th Fighter

    Group). The rugged and heavily-armed P-47D provedo be ideal for ground attack, though, and it became theackbone of the fighter-bomber force in the 9th Air Forcen western Europe and the 12th Air Force in southernurope.

    n the Pacific, several 5th Air Force fighter groups flewhe P-47D against Japanese air and ground forces in New

    Guinea and the Philippines in 1943-1944. Later, fiveroups in the 7th Air Force (and, in the closing weeks of

    he war, the 20th Air Force) flew the much longer-ranged

    SpaceX Launches Falcon 9/Dragon on Historic Mission

    SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket thundered into space and deliv-red a Dragon cargo capsule into orbit on May 22, 2012.he launch began an ambitious mission to show that theompany is ready to deliver cargo to the International Spacetation.

    Were now back on the brink of a new future, a futurehat embraces the innovation the private sector brings tohe table, said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. Thegnificance of this day cannot be overstated. While there is a

    ot of work ahead to successfully complete this mission, were off to a good start.

    Working with an instantaneous launch window, SpaceX,hort for Space Exploration Technologies of Hawthorne,alif., proceeded through a flawless countdown. Liftoffom Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Airorce Station in Florida came at 3:44 a.m. EDT, just as theation was crossing 249 miles above the North Atlantic.

    Every bit of adrenaline in my body released at thatmoment, said Elon Musk about the moment the rocketlifted off the pad. Musk is the founder, CEO and chiefdesigner of SpaceX. People were really giving it their all.For us, it was like winning the Super Bowl.

    The launch came three days after the rocket aborted aprevious launch attempt. William Gerstenmaier, NASAsassociate administrator for Human Exploration andOperations Mission Directorate, lauded the company forgetting the craft ready for the successful launch.

    They stayed focused and kept moving forward, Gersten-maier said. Things are moving in the right direction.

    Dragon is carrying about 1,200 pounds of supplies for thecrew of the station and experiments designed by students.The spacecraft can hold 7,300 pounds of material for deliv-ery to the station, but since this is a test flight, the manifestwas limited to important but not critical materials. Food andclothing make up the bulk of the supplies.

    The launch put the Dragon on a course to rendezvous withthe space station in three days. A detailed series of navigationand other systems tests will be performed in space beforethe capsule is allowed to move close enough to the stationfor astronauts to grab it with the robot arm and connect it tothe Earth-facing port of the Harmony module.

    The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-40 atCape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., to begin a demonstration ight.Photo credit: NASA TV

    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

    Republic P-47N-5 three ship formation (S/N 44-88576, 88589,88577). (U.S. Air Force photo)

    P-47N as an escort fighter for B-29s against the Japanesehomeland.

    Many Allied countries also flew the P-47D in combat inWWII, including Brazil, Free France, Great Britain, Mexi-co and the Soviet Union.

    Range continued to be a problem for the Thunderboltuntil the introduction of the P-47N, which breathed newlife into the P-47 design. The P-47N had a more power-ful engine and introduced a new wing which, unlike theP-47Ds, carried two 96-gallon internal fuel tanks. The P-47N was 40 mph faster and could fly over 800 miles far-ther than the P-47D.

    P-47Ds and P-47Ns continued to serve in the USAAF(after 1947, the U.S. Air Force) as initial equipment for

    SAC, TAC and ADC squadrons. In 1948 the Thundwas redesignated the F-47. As more jet fighters camthe inventory, the USAF phased out the F-47 in 194the Air National Guard continued to use it into the1950s. Many countries in Latin America, along witItaly, Nationalist China, Turkey and Yugoslavia continoperate the Thunderbolt, some into the 1960s.

    Of the grand total of 15,683 P-47s built, approximtwo-thirds reached operational commands overse5,222 were lost in action, including 1,722 non-closses. In 1.35 million combat hours flown, the closs was less than 0.7 percent, an exceptionally lowattesting to the strength of the aircraft.

    -Taken from www.nationalmuseum

    The tests include a careful approach to the station thfor the spacecraft to pause several times. The space crew also will show that they can communicate directlthe uncrewed Dragon capsule. If all the testing goethey will go ahead with the rendezvous and berthing.

    Theres still a thousand things that have to go right, bare looking forward to this exciting mission, said Alademoyer, manager of NASAs Commercial Crew andProgram.

    The Dragon will remain connected to the station for

    three weeks, allowing astronauts to empty it beforeing used scientific equipment inside for the return toReversing the process of connecting the spacecraft station, astronauts will use the robotic arm to remoDragon capsule. The Dragon will then de-orbit and to Earth under parachutes, splashing down in the Ocean off the California coast.

    Steven SNASAs John F. Kennedy Space

    -Taken from na

    Republic P-47D cockpit at the National Museum of the United SForce. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    The SpaceX Dragon capsule is lifted to be placed atop its carinside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station inImage credit: NASA/Kim ShiettNov. 16, 2011

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    7/8

    MDMA is man-madeit doesnt come from a plantke marijuana does. Other chemicals or substanc-

    ssuch as caffeine, dextromethorphan (found inome cough syrups), amphetamines, PCP, or co-aineare sometimes added to, or substituted for,

    MDMA in Ecstasy tablets. Makers of MDMA candd anything they want to the drug, so its purity islways in question.

    What Are the Common Street Names?

    There are a lot of slang words for MDMA. Ecstasyone of the most common. You might also hear E,

    XTC, X, Adam, hug, beans, clarity, loverspeed, and love drug.

    How Is It Used?

    Most people who abuse MDMA take a pill, tablet,or capsule. These pills can be different colors, andsometimes have cartoon-like images on them. Somepeople take more than one pill at a time, calledbumping.

    How Many Teens Use It?According to a 2011 NIDA-funded study, over the

    past 10 years smart young teens have turned theirbacks on MDMA. Since 2001, the percentage of8th graders who have ever tried MDMA droppedfrom 5.2 percent in 2001 to 2.6 percent in 2011.The drop among 10th graders and 12th graders issimilar. Between 2010 and 2011, further declineswere seen in the abuse of MDMA by 8th graders.Past-year use decreased from 2.4 percent in 2010 to1.7 percent in 2011.

    Is MDMA Addictive?Like other drugs, MDMA can be addictive for somepeople. That is, people continue to take the drugdespite experiencing unpleasant physical side ef-fects and other social, behavioral, and health con-sequences.

    No one knows how many times a person can use adrug before becoming addicted or whos most vul-nerable to addiction. As with other drugs of abuse,a persons genes, living environment, and other fac-tors play a role in whether they are likely to becomeaddicted to MDMA.

    What Are the Common Effects?

    For most people, a hit of MDMA lasts for 3 to6 hours. Once the pill is swallowed, it takes onlyabout 15 minutes for MDMA to enter the blood-stream and reach the brain. About 45 minutes later,the person experiences MDMAs high. Thats whenthe drug is at its peak level. People who use MDMAmight feel very alert, or hyper, at first. At clubs,they can keep on dancing for hours at a time. Somelose a sense of time and experience other changesin perception, such as an enhanced sense of touch.Others experience negative effects right away. Theymay become anxious and agitated. Sweating or chillsmay occur, and people may feel faint or dizzy.

    ECSTASYKnow The Facts

    What Is It?Ecstasy is a slang term for MDMA, short for,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a namehats nearly as long as the all-night parties where

    MDMA is often used. Thats why MDMA has beenalled a club drug. It has effects similar to those ofther stimulants, and it often makes the person feelke everyone is his or her friend, even when thatsot the case.

    MDMA can also cause muscle tension, nablurred vision, and increased heart rate and bpressure. Forceful clenching of the teeth can oand individuals at clubs have been known to on pacifiers to relieve some of the tension.

    But it doesnt stop there. Even if a person takeone pill, the side effects of MDMAincludingings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and medifficultiescan last for several days to a weelonger in people who use MDMA regularly).

    DangersPeople who use MDMA can become dehydthrough vigorous activity in a hot environmIt may not seem like a big deal, but when Minterferes with the bodys ability to regulatemperature, it can cause dangerous overhecalled hyperthermia. This, in turn, can lead toous heart and kidney problemsor, rarely, dMDMA can be extremely dangerous in high or when multiple small doses are taken witshort time period to maintain the high. High of the drug in the blood stream can increase thof seizures and affect the hearts ability to maits normal rhythms.Risks to the Brain

    Messages travel through our brains through cells, or neurons. Researchers that study the think that MDMA may affect neurons that usetonin to communicate with other neurons. Throtonin system plays a direct role in controllinmood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and tivity to pain. Another bit of bad newsreseers have seen memory loss among regular usMDMA.

    Long-Term EffectsWe still dont know whether MDMA causes term brain damage in humans, or whether t

    fects are reversible when someone stops usindrug. A study of animals showed that exposuhigh doses of MDMA for 4 days produced damage that could still be seen 6 to 7 years lategood news is that the researchers found that sothe nerve fibers grew back in the same places wthe toxic reactions had occurred. But, we still know if these new neurons work like the old Its like cutting off a branch of a fruit tree: This still alive and can sprout a new limb near thof the cut, but it may not bear as much fruit aold one.

    -Taken from teens.drugabu

  • 7/31/2019 Waterbury Squadron - May 2012

    8/8

    Safe Work forYoung WorkersSafe work is rewarding work. Your employer has the resbility to provide a safe workplace. Employers must folOSHA safety and health standards to prevent you frominjured or becoming ill on the job. If you are under athere may be limits on the hours you work, the jobs yand the equipment you use. Learn about the federal an

    wage and hour child labor laws that apply to you.

    s distracted driving really a problem?

    Distracted driving kills. The friends, family, andeighbors of the thousands of people killed each yearn distracted driving crashes will tell you it is a veryerious safety problem. The nearly half a million peoplenjured each year will agree.

    What is distracted driving?Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off

    he road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind offour primary task: driving safely. Any non-driving ac-vity you engage in is a potential distraction and in-reases your risk of crashing.

    m a pretty good driver. Cant some people

    ext or talk on the phone and drive safely?No, they cant. Research indicates that the burden ofalking on a cell phone - even if its hands-free - saps therain of 39% of the energy it would ordinarily devoteo safe driving. Using a cell phone while driving delaysour reaction time as much as having a blood alcoholoncentration of .08, the legal limit for drunk driving.

    Drivers who use a hand-held device are 4 times morekely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury.exting drivers are 23 times more likely to get involved

    n a crash.

    You have the right to: Workinasafeplace. Receive safety and health training in a languag

    you understand. Ask questionsifyou dontunderstandinstruction

    something seems unsafe. Useandbetrainedonrequiredsafetygear,sucha

    hats, goggles and ear plugs. Exerciseyourworkplacesafetyrightswithoutreta

    or discrimination.

    File aconfidentialcomplaintwithOSHA ifyoubthere is a serious hazard or that your employer following OSHA standards.

    Your employer must: Provideaworkplacefreefromseriousrecognizedh

    and follow all OSHA safety and health standards. Provide training aboutworkplace hazards and re

    safety gear. Employers must pay for most safety gea Tell youwhereto get answersto yoursafety or

    questions. Tellyouwhattodoifyougethurtonthejob.

    To help protect yourself, you can: Report unsafe conditions to a shift/team lead

    supervisor. Wearanysafetygearrequiredtodoyourjob. Followthesafetyrules. Askquestions. Askforhelpifneeded.

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Ois the agency of the Department of Labor (DOL) that pworkers from dangers on the job that can cause injuillnesses. OSHA is here to help you. Call us on our tonumber: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) to get answers toquestions, or to ask OSHA to inspect your workplacethink there is a serious hazard. You can also submit a quonline.

    -Taken from www.osha.gov/youngwo

    DISTRACTEDDRIVING

    Frequently Asked Questions

    If its so dangerous, why do people do it?Some people still dont know how dangerous

    distracted driving is. Others know about the risks oftexting and talking while driving, but still choose todo so anyway. They make the mistake of thinking the statistics dont apply to them, that they can defy theodds. Still others simply lead busy, stressful lives anduse cell phones and smartphones to stay connected withtheir families, friends, and workplaces. They forget orchoose not to shut these devices off when they getbehind the wheel.

    Who are the most serious offenders?Our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are

    most at risk, with 16% of all distracted driving crashesinvolving drivers under 20. But they are not alone. Atany given moment during daylight hours, over 800,000vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-heldcell phone.

    Sending or reading one text is pretty quick,unlike a phone conversation - wouldntthat be okay?

    Texting is the most alarming distraction because itinvolves manual, visual, and cognitive distractionsimultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your

    eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, thats likedriving the length of an entire football field, blindfold-ed. Its extraordinarily dangerous.

    Is it safe to use a hands-free device to talkon a cell phone while driving?

    So far, the research indicates that the cognitive dis-traction of having a hands-free phone conversationcauses drivers to miss the important visual and audiocues that would ordinarily help you avoid a crash.

    Why doesnt the U.S. Dept. ofTransportationmake distracted driving illegal?

    Passenger car driving behavior falls under the

    jurisdiction of the individual states, so the U.S. DOTcant ban it. Congress has considered a number of goodlaws to prevent distracted driving, but unfortunatelynothing has passed yet. However, many states havestepped up to pass tough laws against texting, talkingon a cell phone, and other distractions. You can visit ourState Laws page to learn about the laws in your state.

    What else can DOT do to preventdistracted driving?

    Even though we cant make texting or talking on acell phone while driving illegal, we have been prettybusy. Please visit www.distraction.gov to learn more.

    -Taken from www.distraction.gov