Last modified Thu., June 11, 2009 - 11:23 AM
Originally created Thursday, June 11, 2009

NAS Jax presented SECNAV safety award

By Kaylee LaRocque, NAS Jax Deputy PAO

Members of the NAS Jax Safety Office and NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr., front row, left, and Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Townsend Alexander, far right, proudly display the Secretary of the Navy Safety pennant. From left, front row, Scorby, Jill Heintschel, Dave Colburn, Lee McLaughlin, Ron Williams and Alexander. Back row, from left, Carl Sherk, DCC Anthony Willis, Max Bassett and Maynard Cox. Photo by Shannon Leonard

NAS Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. and members of the base safety office were presented the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Award for Achievement in Safety Ashore in the large non-industrial category by Commander, Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Townsend Alexander June 3.

This award is presented annually to recognize Navy and Marine Corps shore activities and ashore fleet operational support units for their quality occupational safety and health programs.

In an April 28 letter signed by Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Safety) Tom Rollow, he stated, "You can take great pride in your command's superior Occupational Safety and Health Program recognized by this award. The effectiveness of your safety program is proven by your outstanding safety record resulting from your committed leadership, employee engagement and innovation in operational risk management. Your command is recognized for its consistent safety excellence, and has one of the Department of the Navy's premier programs. Your continuing pursuit of safety excellence has resulted in a long-term trend of civilian and military mishap reduction, innovative safety improvement programs and plans, and proactive safety activities.

It is no surprise that your command was the first to conduct the Military Sportbike Rider Course that is now mandatory Navy-and Marine Corps-wide. Of not, is your novel approach to increasing employee safety engagement by awarding Morale, Welfare and Recreation Services 'Safety Bucks' to those who contribute to a safer installation.

Congratulations to you and all your personnel who have truly made 'mission first, safety always - all day, every day' an intrinsic part of your command's culture. I with you continued success with your Occupational Safety and Health Program."

In addition to winning this award, the station recently won the 2008 Chief of Naval Operations Occupational Health Ashore Safety Award in the large installation category proving that NAS Jacksonville is truly dedicated to safety.