Internal Communications Approach

1
Internal Communications Approach

• Objectives
• Build Department-wide support for the Secretarys
  Mishap Reduction Initiative by communicating to
  senior leaders
• Inform and educate all audiences about safety
• Create message consistency across the Department
  and Services
• Sample Tactics
• Enhance general awareness of safety issues using
  internal communication and new media platforms.
• Leverage DoD senior leadership to amplify the
  Mishap Reduction Initiatives messages throughout
  their organizations and encourage compliance with
  the SECDEFs goal.
• Key Messages
• Our goal is zero preventable mishaps.
• Safety is a part of everyones mission.
• Building safety into our equipment and weapon
  systems saves lives and money.
• Most mishaps are preventable and we are pursuing
  a culture change that will no longer tolerate
  preventable losses.

2
Internal Communications Efforts (examples)

• Task Force Support
• Private Motor Vehicle Task Force Communication
  Plan
• Article for the American Journal of Preventive
  Medicine
• Auto-Ground Collision Avoidance System
• Media Placement
• Voluntary Safety Programs Result in Real Gains
  DefenseLink (April 23, 2008)
• Military conference in Norfolk targets reduction
  in accidents Virginian Pilot (April 23, 2008)
• Website Helps Pilots Eliminate Midair
  Collisions - DefenseLink (May 20, 2008)
• Commanders, leaders implement new tracking tool
  Fort Jackson Leader (March 12, 2009)
• Navy Bases Safety Record Goes From Worst to
  First DefenseLink (June 13, 2008)
• Pennsylvania AASF achieves VPP Star Status
  National Guard Bureau (January 22, 2009)
• SECDEF Safety Messages
• 101 Days of Summer
• Winter Holidays

3
Efficacy of Breath Alcohol Indicators /Detectors
as an Effective Leadership Tool for the
Reinforcement of Good Order Discipline in
Military Units - OSD (FY2006) POC Mr. Ryan
Leirvik (Ryan.Leirvik_at_osd.mil)

• Objectives
• To establish whether portable, Food Drug
  Administration (FDA) approved, disposable breath
  alcohol indicators can be used as a leadership
  tool for Commanders to enhance Good Order and
  Discipline in Military Units.
• Justification
• Medical care and lost time at work, alcohol abuse
  costs DoD more than 600M each year.
• DoD spends another 132M a year to care for
  babies with fetal alcohol syndrome.
• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
  Alcoholism (NIAAA) reported that 31 of all
  occupational injuries in the US are
  alcohol-related.

• Anticipated ROI
• Navy Region Europe indicated that nearly 2/3 of
  their study participants reported that the device
  test results influenced their decision not to
  drive after drinking.
• One USSOCOM unit reported that no Alcohol Related
  Incidents were reported by the 100 junior
  enlisted members issued breathalyzers at a
  command sponsored social function.
• Next Steps
• Complete Data Analysis
• Review Findings with Government Stakeholders
• Submit Final Report and recommendations

• Approach
• 416,666 breathalyzers were shipped to over 50
  Locations
• Fort Campbells Alcohol and Safety Action Program
  (ASAP) Office recommended considering these
  devices as a part of their redeployment program.
• Results
• Majority of participants reported that they felt
  the breathalyzers are valuable.
• Preliminary results indicate that breathalyzers
  could be used as an additional leadership tool
  for commanders.
• US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Safety
  Representatives reported that 68 of their study
  participants would recommend this program and
  that no DUI's have occurred since the devices
  were disseminated.
• Almost half of all respondents reported using the
  breathalyzers to test someone else.