Voluntary Protection Program growing steadily in AFMC

  • Published
  • By Ron Scharven
  • AFMC Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Voluntary Protection Program is alive and well in the Air Force Material Command.
 
That was the thought of the members of the AFMC VPP Steering Committee who met in September, but as many members voiced, "there is still much to be done."
 
The steering committee, meeting for the first time, is composed of each two-letter director in the headquarters. The committee is co-chaired by Mrs. Barbara Westgate, AFMC executive director, and Mr. Scott Blanch, American Federation of Government Employees Council 214 president. 

One briefing given during the first meeting by Ms. Leslie Cole, Mr. Danny Haas and the VPP team from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard  told the story of their journey from being called "the worst shipyard" in the Navy to VPP Star site status. As was pointed out during the briefing, VPP is not an oversight program, but it is people at all levels taking responsibility for themselves and their fellow workers. 

All AFMC bases are enrolled in the VPP program except for Arnold AFB, Tenn. Arnold's assessment will be done by members of the HQ AFMC Safety staff. The FY06 bases are making good progress in the VPP program. 

The steering committee is but one of two committees at the headquarters for VPP. The second is the working group, which works issues and implements the steering committee's decisions. Additionally, a command VPP Concept of Operations is being worked. 

Those interested in helping to publicize VPP in their work areas may download a series of Uncle Sam VPP posters, which can be found on the AFMC Safety CoP under "FY08 Initiatives."