Month: May 2024

Source: United States Navy

Prepare for a summer filled with adventure, but acknowledge the potential for misadventure as well. A memorable experience can be overshadowed by a trip to the hospital – or worse. Understand and manage the risks associated with summer activities to minimize the chance of a good time turning bad.

The 101 Critical Days of Summer is the period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend when off-duty accidents tend to increase across the Navy and Marine Corps. As Sailors and Marines engage in outdoor pursuits and leisure activities, it remains imperative to manage risks proactively. This strategy involves identifying potential hazards, implementing strategies to mitigate harm and making informed decisions.

Complacency often underlies off-duty mishaps during the summer months. Maintain situational awareness with these safety tips in mind:

Self-assess and self-correct – Recreational mishaps are preventable. Regularly evaluate how you spend your time during off-duty hours this summer. Assess risks, adhere to established procedures, comply with relevant laws and know your limits.

Educate others – Ensure everyone participating in the activity is familiar with the day’s plan, proper equipment operation and emergency procedures. Sharing best practices with others helps reinforce proper procedures in your memory and ensures all participants can effectively address emergency situations.

The best prevention is preparation – Prioritize hydration, ensure communication devices are fully charged, carry spare gear, apply sunscreen, dress appropriately and engage in proper warm-up routines. Anticipating potential challenges and being adequately prepared can mitigate risks.

Motorcycle safety is deadly serious – About 1 in 10 Sailors and Marines own a motorcycle. Riders suffer higher rates of serious injuries and fatalities than other motorists. Complete recommended safety courses, wear appropriate protective gear, and adhere to safety regulations to minimize the likelihood of severe injury or fatality.

Simply drive – Operating a vehicle requires your full attention. Drive defensively, minimize distractions, maintain safe distances, and adhere to traffic laws. Prioritize arriving safely over arriving quickly, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or while fatigued.

Suspect and inspect – As you unpack your summertime gear, conduct a thorough inspection to identify potential hazards before use. Stored items such as your grill, motorcycle, or sports equipment may have sustained damage. Check the fit of all wearable gear and replace or repair any damaged items to safeguard against potential risks.

Refresh your safety mindset – Has anything changed since last summer? Stay abreast of any changes in laws, regulations, or resources pertinent to your summer activities. Review your regular route, reread the owner’s manuals, or take a refresher course to remain informed and prepared.

The sobering statistics from previous summers underscore the importance of these precautions. By prioritizing safety, Sailors and Marines can mitigate personal harm and safeguard their well-being and

that of their loved ones. Take a moment to reflect on these considerations throughout the summer — your vigilance could save lives.

Source: United States Navy

Spokane Navy Week brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to emphasize the importance of the Navy to Spokane, the state of Washington, and the nation.

More than 50 Sailors will participate in education and community outreach events throughout the city.

Participating Navy organizations include Navy Band Northwest, USS Constitution, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, United States Ceremonial Guard and Color Guard, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Spokane, Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Squadron One, Naval Special Warfare Assessments Team, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team One, Navy Leap Frogs, United States of America Vietnam Commemoration, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Office of Small Business Programs and the United States Naval Academy.

The Navy’s senior executive is Rear Adm. Jeffrey Kilian, Deputy Chief of Staff, Reserve Component, N093, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Kilian is a native of Spokane, Washington. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He also holds a Master of Science in Engineering (Construction Engineering and Project Management) from the University of Texas at Austin and he completed the Advanced Management Program at Duke University. Prior to joining the Navy, Kilian served four years as a Marine assigned to 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force. During Spokane Navy Week, he is participating in community engagements, meeting with students, and speaking with local business, civic, and government leaders.

Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Spokane.

“We are thrilled to bring the Navy to Spokane,” said NAVCO’s director, Cmdr. Anthony Falvo. “Though our Navy is deployed around-the-world and around-the-clock, the Navy Week program allows us to showcase our Navy in places that don’t enjoy an everyday naval presence. Most importantly it affords us the opportunity to highlight our most important asset – the highly skilled men and women of the United States Navy who ensure our warfighting advantage to preserve our American way of life.”

Throughout the week, Sailors are participating in various community events across the area, including engaging with students across multiple schools and at the Boys & Girls Club of Spokane, volunteering through Second Harvest and Habitat for Humanity Store, and publicly visible at the Lilac Festival Parade and downtown Spokane. Residents will also enjoy free live music by Navy Band Northwest at venues throughout the week.

Spokane Navy Week is one of 15 Navy Weeks in 2024, which brings a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 130 million people — about half the U.S. population.

Media organizations wishing to cover Spokane Navy Week events should contact Ensign Taylor Worley at (901) 232-4449 or taylor.a.worley.mil@us.navy.mil

Source: United States Navy

Understanding the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Climate Impact Assessment. This is an overview of Navy actions and projections for the impact of climate change at the former shipyard. The Navy recognizes that climate change poses challenges and risks that could potentially impact cleanup efforts and remedies, the community, and ecosystems. At Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (HPNS), the Navy is cleaning up historical releases as a result of past shipyard activities. Click this link to download the complete document.