Division Eleven Wins International ISAR ... - USCGAUX District 7

Safety on Duty
By Donald Zinner, District 7 Flight Safety Officer
Page 15
Boating Safety has been the watchword of the Auxiliary since its inception in 1939. You and I have worked to
keep our waterways safe for the boating public. We train both on the water and in the air to be ready to assist
our gold brethren anytime and almost anywhere!
Each year Auxiliarists also take on safety training. On the Surface we call it TCT (Team Coordination Training);
in the Air we call it CRM (Crew Resource Management). Both of these are similar yet different as to the environment
in which we operate. The objective is to work as a team and enhance the safety of the mission and its effectiveness
with ALL members of the team looking out for the crew and the mission.
The other major training we do is all about Risk Assessment -- Is the risk of the mission worth the gain? Over
the past several years I have seen the dedication of Auxiliarists to get the mission done, whatever it takes.
Though admirable, this can be a weakness for the safety of the crew. In Surface Operations, we start our mission
by calculating the GAR (Green Amber Red) level of risk. In Air Operations, we go through a Risk Assessment
worksheet. The objective is to look at the risk vs. the gain of the mission. Often times, this is the only time
the Coxswain or Pilot reviews risk. Remember, as conditions change, so might the level of risk. You and
your crew should be continually assessing the mission, the crew, the environment…etc. for overall safety of the
mission.
But what mishaps have happened? What caused them and how do we keep them from happening again? Commodore
Brown has been concerned that we don’t always focus enough on safety. Boat Crew, Air Personnel,
Vessel Examiners and Communication teams – all, as well as other services we provide to Team Coast Guard,
have a level of risk and mishaps have happened in the past.
The Commodore has announced the development of a “Safety Tiger Team”. Its Mission is to develop a model
for training and education for the Safety of our members while on duty. The Safety Team will review areas where
mishaps and accidents have occurred and use this information to develop specific guidance and training.
Currently, Auxiliary Aviation has a Safety program in place, and the plan is to use the Flight Safety concept as a
“starting” point. Team members will look at all aspects of Safety in order to develop a “Safety Culture” within District
7.
So, you might ask, what is a Safety Culture? A Safety Culture is about improving safety attitudes in people, but it
is also about good safety management established by the Auxiliary Leadership. Good Safety Culture implies a
continuing assessment of the safety significance
of events and issues so that the
appropriate level of attention can be given.
Establishing and developing positive attitudes
towards Safety Culture in the Auxiliary
can spill over and improve the daily
life of each Auxiliarist.
Auxiliary Beechcraft Baron– Mishaps can happen!
As they used to say on an old TV show
called Hill Street Blues, ”Be safe out
there!” Ω