Kicking off Critical Days of Summer Published May 13, 2009 56 FW/PA LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The critical days of summer safety campaign at Luke Air Force Base starts Memorial Day, May 22 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7. The critical days of summer is a special campaign designed to reinforce threats and common hazards associated with the perceived good weather time of the year. According to Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing Safety, this does not mean more emphasis is put on safety during the summer months. Air Force history shows about 45 percent of the yearly fatalities occur during this time frame. This year the Air Force will join the other branches for a Joint services summer campaign, "Live to Play, Play to live." Bruce said the safety office will work to support commanders and supervisors to promote the summer campaign through publicity, education and awareness programs. "Our efforts will begin the morning of May 22 with a 56th FW "Safety Day" to kick off the critical days of summer campaign on base," Bruce said. "Brigadier General Kurt Neubauer, 56th FW commander will share his vision for the critical days of summer and squadron personnel will work through a discussion guide that will highlight risk management techniques and share real life events lessons learned." Throughout the summer the safety office will highlight safety concerns each week. These include motorcycle and vehicle safety, summer heat and travel safety. Other concerns like water safety, bicycling, and barbeque safety will also be addressed. Everyone must take an active role in preventing mishaps especially in the off duty arena, Mr. Bruce noted. "Make no mistake about it, the goal is 'zero' fatal mishaps," he said. "We understand the potential is always there for more mishaps during the summer due to increased outdoor and leisure activities. However, we cannot become complacent from a safety perspective; it can be dangerous when assuming too much risk or when poor decisions are made - remember it boils down to personal responsibility."