AMC vice commander visits Travis, discusses VPP

Published July 20, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The vice commander of Air Mobility Command visited Travis July 18 to highlight the Air Force's Voluntary Protection Program.

During his short visit, Lt. Gen. Christopher Kelly emphasized to unit commanders and safety staff the importance of using the industry-proven principles of VPP to reduce preventable mishaps in the Air Force.

"We are in a period of Air Force history where we are facing unique challenges and doing more with less," he said. "Everyone needs to be a safety person. VPP is about empowering every individual -- civilian and military alike -- to watch out for hazards in the workplace and take action ... without waiting for the safety office to react."

Created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, VPP is a program design to help to reduce the number of preventable work-related injuries and illnesses.

The general encouraged commanders to seek a cultural change: zero acceptance of preventable mishaps.

General Kelly added that he recognized that the Air Force already has a stellar safety program and that VPP should not be considered as just another Air Force safety program.

"VPP is not revolutionary. The Air Force already had firm foundations and items that were already VPP, just not considered VPP," he said.

He then emphasized that for VPP to be a success and for every Airmen and civilian to embrace VPP, base leadership must be involved and embrace VPP first.

"Travis is leading the way for AMC in this initiative. The command is looking for the lessons learned here at Travis to shape the future for all the other bases in AMC," he said.

Team Travis was selected to be the first Air Mobility Command base to implement the VPP in November 2006.

"Since December 2006, a mere eight months, Team Travis has done a lot to not only reduce the number of mishaps, but also improve safety attitudes of every Team Travis member to help prevent mishaps," said Capt. Jim Kerley, chief of the 60th Air Mobility Wing's Commander's Action Group.

According to Captain Kerley, by using events such as Wing Safety Focus days and commander's calls, base leadership and unit safety representatives have briefed VPP topics and principles to the members of Team Travis.

Captain Kerley also stated that one of the hurdles of getting VPP into the mindset of the Travis Airmen is getting Airmen and civilians to understand the Air Force's vision for implementation.

"VPP at its core is not cosmic," he said. "It's simply about looking out for your own safety and that of your wingman. Safety is everyone's responsibility. We want it to be understood that implementing VPP principles should not create extra work for everyone. First line workers are the persons most likely to recognize and be affected by potential workplace hazards."

He added the VPP provides the opportunity for workers to be involved in the design and implementation of their health and safety program.
According to the National Safety Council, preventable injuries and illnesses cost the Department of Defense an estimated $10 to $21 billion annually.

"The purpose of VPP is to provide every member of Team Travis the understanding that they are the first step in protecting the Air Force's number one and ultimate resource -- our people," Captain Kerley said.