Commander's Blog

I hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with their loved ones, and I really hope that no one went overboard on the wonderful treats that are typically brought out this time of year. If you did, don't worry – you may just have to visit the gym a few extra times this month, and you'll probably see me there right beside you! Nevertheless, I think we can all agree that indulging our sweet tooth a little during the holidays is usually worth the guilt.

Well, the official start of winter is just a few weeks away, and we've already had some bone-chilling temperatures come through our region, so it won't be long before Mr. Snow Miser rolls up his sleeves to begin his favorite work once again. But before the flakes start to fall, we should review some important winter safety tips provided by USAMMDA's Safety Officer, Marvin Saunders.

During the winter months, remember to safeguard your home against fire caused by fireplaces, space heaters, and faulty extension cords and electrical appliances. It is important to make sure that your extension cords and other appliances are UL rated. A friend of mine purchased an extension cord from a large national retail chain a couple of years ago and assumed it was UL rated, although it was not; this was the cause of a fire in which he lost his home and everything in it. You should also conduct a sweep of your house to check that everything is in proper working order, and quickly replace any items that are suspect. Also, it is extremely important to check appliances that run on natural gas, such as heating systems, water heaters, fireplaces and stoves, as problems with these items could lead to carbon monoxide build-up throughout your home. Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at local retail stores, and these are certainly worth the investment when it comes to protecting your home and your loved ones throughout the year.

While many of us enjoy outdoor activities during the winter, perhaps skiing, sledding and snowboarding – or even a good snowball fight every now and then – we all must remember to take care to prevent injuries, remain aware at all times, and bundle up! If it's cold enough to snow, then it's cold enough for frostbite on exposed skin and extremities. And although many may enjoy playing in the snow, I'm not sure how many of us truly enjoy shoveling it, especially when we're talking about feet rather than inches. Regardless of the amount, overexertion and dehydration while outdoors during the winter months can lead to tragedies, and we certainly don't want to see any of our family, friends or neighbors placed in dangerous situations. Help out whenever you can, but just make sure both you and others are "working smarter and not harder" when moving snow around. It's suggested that you stretch out before you start, and remember to take it slowly and take a break when you feel tired. And for those who may own that precious snow blower, try to help out neighbors who may be spending too much time shoveling their own driveways and sidewalks. Believe me, I've seen many good friendships formed after a blizzard!

Finally, while we all should stay off of the roads during a snowfall, sometimes it's just impossible; so take great care when traveling on snow-covered streets and highways. It's always important to "watch out for the other guy" who is on the road with you – the one who is usually driving too fast for the conditions – because that's when accidents typically happen. Be sure to check the forecast for where you're headed as well. It's not uncommon for it to be 45 degrees and clear in our area, while just an hour or two north of us it may be well below freezing with falling precipitation. I'm sure this has happened to many of us over the years. And if you are staying home, make sure to remove the snow and ice from your driveways and sidewalks, as these typically create "slip and fall" situations that lead to bad sprains or broken bones.

When it comes to weather-related conditions affecting our work schedule, the Office of Personnel Management provides guidance on these matters, and it displays pop-up work alerts through our network. You can also receive notification calls to multiple phones by clicking the AtHoc icon (the purple globe) located on your laptop, and entering your contact numbers on the "My Profile" page. On snowy or icy mornings, you should call the Fort Detrick Weather Line at (301) 619-7611, or check the Homepage at http://www.detrick.army.mil for post delays and closings. Decisions are typically made by 0400; however, decisions are sometimes re-evaluated due to changing conditions, so continue to check throughout the early morning on questionable days. Keep in mind that the safety of our Fort Detrick family comes first, so a liberal leave policy is always in effect in the event of severe weather.

Well, many of you know this time of the year brings with it our annual Chili Cook-Off contest, and it was quite a barnburner this time. Up until the final vote, there was a four-way tie for second place, but the first runner-up honors finally went to Chris Benson with her Sweet Southern Kick'n Chili recipe. Honorable mention goes out to the other three runners-up, Carolyn Etzler, Michael Marx, and Carey Phillips, for their popular chili dishes. And after the smoke finally cleared, John Boxell took home the coveted Can O' Beans trophy for his Johnny B's Chili con Carne. When you see John in the building, please congratulate him on his victory, as I know this year's win is certainly significant considering his fantastic second place finish last year!

And as we're approaching the year's end, we should take this opportunity to reflect over the past year and review any personal or professional goals we may have set for ourselves. Hopefully, we have accomplished many, if not all, of our goals this year. But although it's important for us to hit as many targets as possible, it's just as important that we try our very best to meet these challenges. If we always continue to reach for the top, we'll certainly stay far ahead of those who aren't reaching at all.

Finally, just a reminder that our annual holiday party is scheduled for December 8 at the CAC, Building 1529, and it will include our quarterly Town Hall meeting. This should be a great time for our USAMMDA family to relax and have some fun before the final rush of Christmas – and don't forget to wear your favorite pajamas if you'd like! We really hope to see everyone there!

I hope everyone has a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!

Hooah!

COL William Geesey