Comprehensive Airman Fitness: Airmen get 'Street Smart' during Scott AFB seminar

Published Nov. 3, 2010
By Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The "Street Smart" program came to Scott Air Force Base Oct. 27 to help Airmen make good decisions and stay safe.

"I developed this program after seeing the need to stop fatalities caused by poor choices, impaired drivers, not wearing seatbelts and distracted drivers," said Vince Easevoli, Stay Alive From Education (S.A.F.E.) executive director. "I want to reach as many people as possible to give them the information to make the right choices."

"Street Smart" was developed 21 years ago to eliminate trauma related death.
While the focus age group was Airmen 26 and under, the entire base was invited to attend. The brief was presented by two firefighters from Florida.

"When we get a phone call there are three types of calls, fire, medical and trauma," said Mr. Easevoli. "Trauma, which is defined as a sudden, unexpected and violent shock to the body, is seen the most and they are mostly from motor vehicle crashes. Drugs and alcohol are somehow almost always related."

Another issue covered was seatbelts.

"I've heard every excuse that there is, and when someone has an accident while not wearing a seatbelt, a majority of the injuries or death did not have to happen," said Ronny Garcia, S.A.F.E. briefer.

A person is 25 times more likely to die if they are ejected from a car, which can be prevented by wearing seatbelts. The proper way to wear a seatbelt is across the largest bones which are the shoulders, chest and pelvis.

Speed was also covered during the program. For example, if a car is going 45 mph, that means everything inside the car, including humans, are going the same speed, and if the car is suddenly stopped in a crash, everything in the car will continue moving forward at 45 mph.

"Most accidents occur at a speed around 45 miles per hour, which isn't very fast, but it is fast enough to cause some pretty bad damage," said Vince.

During the last portion of "Street Smart," a member from the audience was invited on stage to experience what would happen during an accident. The journey began with the decisions leading up to entering the car, the crash, being rescued, going to the hospital and even after the hospital.

"It was very informative, I learned to wear my seatbelt and not leave anything loose in my car," said Airman 1st Class Kenneth Clinton, 375th Medical Support Squadron, who was the audience volunteer. "It is a good program and I hope it reaches out to people."
The briefers also reminded everyone to be a good Wingman.

The S.A.F.E. program will visit most military installations because of a grant from Anheuser Busch.