USAMMDA Wins Big in Safety
June marks National Safety Month in the Army, and gives us pause to reflect on an important, yet sometimes forgotten cause. While all Army organizations have a safety program, the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity has proven a most successful program. Marvin Saunders, safety officer at the USAMMDA has recently been awarded the U.S. Army Medical Command Individual Award for Excellence in Safety Non-Safety Professional category, for the exceptional safety program he oversees at USAMMDA.
Saunders has worked diligently to develop a successful safety program at USAMMDA and was recognized by receiving this prestigious award. Saunders was completely surprised, as he was nominated without any knowledge.
"I had no idea that I was submitted for the award," said Saunders. "But to win it is humbling."
Safety is a major focus area for organizations within the Army. All Army units have safety officers, whether a Safety & Occupational Health Safety Officer (career program 12), Collateral Duty Safety Officer (civilian) or Additional Duty Safety Officer (military), as required by Army Regulation 385-10.
"Safety is something that we must inculcate into everything that we do," said Col. William Geesey, USAMMDA commander.
Geesey noticed the impact of the safety program at USAMMDA, shortly after his arrival.
"Marvin had done a great job weaving safety into the fabric of USAMMDA," said Geesey. "Everywhere I looked, I could see the impact of his work and I'm proud to have professionals of his caliber on the team at USAMMDA."
Saunders takes his role as collateral duty safety officer very seriously, and it shows. Through various initiatives such as safety newsletters, defibrillators, building and surrounding environment repairs and informational displays, Saunders has successfully integrated safety into the core of the unit.
"I feel very thankful to the command for considering me for this award, this award is only presented to one person, once a year," said Saunders.
Being awarded the U.S. Army Medical Command Individual Award for Excellence in Safety proves that Saunders is making strides to bring safety to the forefront and solidifies the work being done to achieve safety in all areas at USAMMDA. Saunders has set the standard with the safety program at USAMMDA and developed an award winning safe working environment. Programs such as safety can easily be looked over because the threats may seem low, however; it is a testament to the safety program that possible risks and threats remain low. Sometimes the unseen dangers remain unseen because of programs such as this one, working to keep safety the priority and remove possible threats.