53d Wing safety day kicks off 101 Critical Days events Published May 21, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr. 53d Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 53d Wing held its annual safety day May 20, beginning with a mass briefing at the base theater here. The safety day jump-starts the 101 Critical Days safety campaign as well as the annual 53d Wing Commander's Safety Cup Challenge. "We want to remind everyone to just take a step back, consider all the options and make sure what you're doing is worth the risk," said Lt. Col. Michael Neeman, 53d Wing safety chief. The mass briefing included safety tips on traffic, fitness, boating, hurricanes and travel. Wing and Air Force safety statistics were presented as well. Joe Bailey, 53d Wing ground safety manager said the wing has performed outstanding in previous years and to keep up the work. Mr. Bailey explained the goal once again is zero mishaps and zero fatalities. The wing continues the streak of zero fatalities and almost reached the goal on mishaps last year, only recording one, according to Mr. Bailey. The newly revamped 2008 Safety Cup Challenge, which begins May 23, has some new and returning categories. Groups and flights earn points for participating in the category activities. The challenge begins with a slogan contest to create this year's slogan for the event. Other challenge categories include squadron and flight safety briefings, commander's safety call, seat belt surveys, posters, pamphlets, articles and volunteering at or hosting a safety event. Each category and submission has varying points and all submissions must come from a safety representative. For the contest, the participating squadrons are broken down by size. The winning squadron or flight gets a four-day weekend pass, while second place gets a three-day weekend pass. Before breaking out into individual units for the rest of safety day, Col. Steve DePalmer, 53d Wing commander closed the briefing. "Everyone be safe over this weekend and throughout the summer and most importantly take time and have a plan in whatever you do," he said.