keesler force protectors urge heightened awareness Published May 25, 2011 By Zastrow Perkins 81st Security Forces Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- For the 81st Security Forces Squadron, the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign is an opportunity to promote safety and reduce the number of accidents and mishaps during the summer vacation season. "The major focus areas for this year's campaign are private motor vehicle accidents, including alcohol use and driving under the influence, along with sports and recreation accidents," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffery Thatcher, 81st SFS Delta Flight chief. "These two areas usually lead the way in fatalities during the summer months." Delta Flight, one of the teams that patrols the base in the evenings, is often involved in apprehending drunk or impaired drivers. Sergeant Thatcher emphasized that drinking alcohol and driving definitely causes a dangerous situation, and that includes cars, motorcycles, boats, aircraft and bicycles. "Automobile-related accidents and fatalities might be prevented through educating personnel to be alert to dangerous situations," Sergeant Thatcher said. "Utilizing operational risk management and personal risk management will reduce your chances of having a summer mishap." He noted three key areas of ORM -- not accepting unnecessary risk, making risk decisions at the appropriate level and accepting risk when benefits outweigh the costs. Sergeant Thatcher stressed that it's important to be aware of surroundings and dangers associated with summer activities such as jogging, camping, cooking outdoors and fireworks. He advised people involved in outdoor events to take precautions in the extreme summer heat. "Safety is everyone's responsibility," he said.