NAS Jax hosts safety rodeo

The rodeo was an opportunity to showcase the latest safety information related to motorcycling, ATVs, dirt bikes, boating, personal watercraft, scuba, bicycling and other recreational venues.

The morning kicked off with a motorcycle ride led by the base Security Department and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Drill Team from the Target parking lot, down Highway 17 to the main gate and around the base.

Event organizer Connie Policastro of the NAS Jax Safety Office, thought promoting motorcycle safety with a special ride would raise some awareness.

Members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Drill Team demonstrate some maneuvers for the crowd.

"May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and that is exactly what we are doing out here. We are bringing awareness to the community by showing how many motorcycles are ridden by members of the military community or Department of Defense. And by the looks of today's motorcycle ride, I think that picture is pretty clear," she said, standing among more than 100 riders from NAS Jax, NSB Kings Bay, Ga., and NS Mayport.

"We really appreciate being invited out here to do this again. We've been at the past couple of rodeos and really enjoy it," said Jacksonville Patrolman David Sciandra. "We are out here to inform people about motorcycle safety."

NAS Jax Firefighters tear apart a vehicle to get to a crash victims during a simulated Jaws of Life demonstration.

After the ride, NAS Jacksonville Executive Officer Capt. Steve Holmes opened the rodeo by talking to the crowd about the need for recreational safety awareness.

"I want to thank everyone for coming out. This is certainly an important topic. We're getting ready for the summer season and we want to make sure we stay safe," he said.

"A couple quick numbers to mention on private motor vehicle fatalities updates. How many days has it been since a military member has died in a car accident? Nine days. How about motorcycles? It's been five days since we lost someone in the Navy or Marines. How many fatalities so far this year? We've had 60 deaths. Last year's total was 51. That's why this rodeo is focused on motor vehicle safety."

Some of the events of the rodeo included a motorcycle ride, riding demonstrations from the award-winning Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Drill Team, response to a simulated motorcycle accident by the NAS Jax Fire Department and a Jaws of Life extraction.

Victims are treated by NAS Jax Firefighters during a simulated motorcycle accident.

The Florida Department of Transportation also showcased their No-Zone Truck which made guests more aware of the visibility restrictions truckers experience when driving their rigs.

"We came down here today to gain information to see how we can better educate our young Marines, especially those who ride sport bikes. This is a great event. We need to teach our Marines what they can and can't do and what their limitations are when riding a motorcycle. The key is to get the proper training," stated Eddie Smith, a certified occupational safety and

health official with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

NAS Jax Mulberry Cove Manager Phil Collins gives MA3 Johannes Hemmes of NSB Kings Bay, Ga. some information about the marina during the rodeo.

NAS Jax Safety Officer and Navy Region Southeast Safety Manager Ron Williamson agrees. "We are losing way too many of our people due to recreational accidents. So, we are out here again to promote recreational motorcycle and traffic safety for the folks at NAS Jax and other local bases. It's a great event. It lets people get out and see actual demonstrations and talk to experts instead of having a safety stand down. This is much more interactive."

Many recreational safety companies and equipment vendors attended the rodeo to introduce Sailors to the latest in motorcycle safety gear.

"I came out here today so I can get better educated so I can educate my fellow Sailors. It's been fantastic. The JSO police officers did a wonderful job. They are very educated on what they do and I plan to talk with them and take some information back to the command," said RP3 Todd Schindler, motorcycle safety advocate for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven.

Lt. Cmdrl David Levy of VP-62 talks with William Sargent, a safe boating instructor with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about fishing regulations.

Representatives were also available from the State of Florida Division of Drivers License, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Fish and Game, Florida Driver Training Program and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol.

NAS Jacksonville's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department would like to thank the following Recreational Safety Rodeo sponsors: Purcell's Motorcycle and Marine World, Cycle Gear, Honda of Jacksonville, A& M Motorcycle Safety Course, Orange Park Power Sports, Jax Biker Gear, Home Depot of Orange Park, Jennings Motorcycle Race Track, St. Johns Power Sports and Atlantic Moto Sports.