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Message from Frederick J. Nohmer, GM
Team-
As 2008 draws to a close and 2009 is beating at our door, I would like to take this opportunity to review the many great contributions the IAP Team has made here at FT Irwin. The IAP FT Irwin Support Project has accomplished much in the last year, most notably keeping our safety culture change, developing great relations with the customer, and meeting all of our contract requirements above and beyond the normal standard. As I look back at where we were in January 2008 and where we find ourselves today one can not be amazed and pleased with the progress we have made towards Mission Zero . . . Incident Free . . . Injury Free . . .Every Task . . . Every Day! As I look back at the partnering relationships we have developed with the customers here at FT Irwin, I am humbled by the dedication of our Team to the success of this installation. And as I look back at the standards we have met in executing the contact I am happy to report that we continue to improve every day and continue to make a huge difference in the lives of the soldiers and their families here at FT Irwin. Just use the last great “Snow In” we met head on here at FT Irwin, and how flexible we were in dealing with all of the issues it presented!! Everyone on this project is to be commended for their efforts towards this end.
We continue to grow the project . . . in some areas much more than ever anticipated. TSD and the MOUT activities continue to grow almost daily. As the training facilities and the required support of these facilities changes to meet the needs of the Army and training units, we can anticipate continued growth. In the next few months we may well see the heavy “force on force” rotations of old reappear in the box . . . VISMODS??? WOW!! Our customers recognize these efforts and our ability to be flexible…and it does not go unnoticed. Keep up the great work!
Over the last year we have collectively tried to improve every area we work in. It begins with a new hire program that brings in great folks and provides them with the baseline knowledge of what they need to know to get started, but is much deeper than that. The time and energy each of you puts into the new folks on the Team is what really makes them part of IAP . . . makes them feel welcome, important, and truly part of the Team. From a safety prospective there is nothing more important than someone mentoring new employees and helping them adjust to their new roles. I commend everyone that is part of this, and thank you for your efforts. Over the next year we want to move to the next level of safety on our project . . . on that is truly Mission Zero based and understood and embraced by all.
As we enter into 2009, I would ask that everyone take a few minutes to take stock in how truly fortunate we are . . . for all we have and for the great opportunities that are before us. The economy is, by all accounts, in rough shape. There are economic factors that seem to change daily, if not hourly, and understanding them is more than a full time job. We are (or should be) glad and fortunate to have our health, a good job, and the promise of hope in the New Year. I am.
I thank you all for your dedication and hard work over the last year, and look forward to meeting the opportunities and challenges of 2009 with you all. May you all have a happy and prosperous New Year! Be safe!
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December's Employee of the Month
Taumaia Chan Wong has been an IAP employee for just over one year. She is a Range Operations Specialist and provides a multitude of customer service related products to our customers. She always has a smile on her face and a kind word to offer. She is a self starter and a highly motivated employee. She is always ready to complete her assigned tasks above the standard and never has to be assigned work to do. She constantly finds tasks to execute and makes improvements to the work area. Customers from contractors to military service members look forward to her warm smile and effervescent attitude as they make their way to and from the training areas. She conducts every task from radio calls to keeping the work area clean and tidy with an enviable exuberance.
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Congratulations Taumaia!
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Safety Snippets: Watch Out For Winter's Chill
Cold weather dangers are nothing to sneeze at. Employees need to know that working outside in cold conditions can have serious hazards—principally hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia in particular is a significant health issue, for three reasons:
· It's sneaky—it can be difficult to recognize until a case becomes moderate to severe.
· It's deceptive—it can happen even if temperatures are above freezing.
· It can be deadly—unrecognized and untreated, hypothermia can actually kill.
Often the real culprit in cases of hypothermia is not cold by itself—it's moisture (that's why it's possible to get hypothermia in relatively mild conditions). So make sure your employees know that it can be far worse to be cold and wet than just to be cold.
What is hypothermia, exactly? The human body has its own "thermostat" to regulate its normal temperature of 98.6 degrees F, and it generates heat in response to cold temperatures in order to maintain this level through such mechanisms as perspiring and shivering. Hypothermia means that the body's normal temperature has dropped sufficiently to impair physical and mental functions. And it doesn't take much—body temperature that is only slightly below 98.6 degrees can produce mild hypothermia. Signs of advancing hypothermia include:
· Loss of physical coordination
· Slurred speech
· Uncontrollable shivering
· Dazed consciousness or irrational behavior
Take steps to prevent hypothermia. Employees who work in cold conditions should understand, first, that hypothermia is a real hazard, and second, that there are several common sense things they can do to protect themselves, including:
· Stay dry—if they get wet, come in and change clothes or dry out.
· Dress in layers—these provide insulation, and outer layers can be removed if the weather gets warmer.
· Wear clothing that resists moisture or "wicks" it away quickly. Synthetic fabrics are best; cotton is not recommended because it retains moisture.
· Work in pairs—if one shows signs of hypothermia, the other can provide assistance.
· Avoid caffeine and alcohol—these actually hurt, rather than help, in resisting the cold.
· If they're uncomfortably cold, come inside and warm up!
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