Volunteer Opportunity to Give Airmen a Safe Ride Home

  • Published
  • By Sandy Simison
  • 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base --  The committee for Airmen Against Drunk Driving is looking for responsible airmen willing to make a commitment to keep their fellow airmen safe.  The organization's goal is to reduce drunk driving on and off the base by providing rides to active duty and retired military personnel as well as civilian employees who have had too much to drink and are unable to drive.

"We are always looking for new airmen due to deployments, reassignments, and permanent changes of station," said Tech. Sgt. Melissa Ward, AADD committee chair.  "There are four new officers and most on the committee are young airmen."

The committee is looking for a better-rounded populace.  Volunteers can be of any career field and any rank to dispatch and help with briefings and advertisements around the base.  
    
"We're here on the base to support the airmen and can't do it without our volunteers and dispatchers," said Ward. 
     
The six-month commitment includes working two weekends, which entails a Friday and Saturday night shift from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. To better suit individual schedules, shifts may be split up to comprise of four Friday nights or four Saturday nights. The shift duties include answering the phone, taking all information and sending volunteers to pick up those who need a safe ride home.  Volunteers also brief incoming airmen at the First Term Airman Center.

"We're here on the base to support the airmen and can't do it without our volunteers and dispatchers," said Ward. 

Volunteer units receive $20 for pizza and those who respond to 5 separate calls for safe rides home receive a $10 gas card.   

For those who need a safe ride home:

Anyone with a base identification card can use AADD--whether they are active duty, civilian, dependent, reservist or National Guard. The number to call for a free ride is (937) 257-AADD (2233).
    
"AADD's mission is to educate our Airmen on the importance of making the right decision when they have consumed alcohol and it provides a safe alternative to driving under the influence," said Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Arnold, 88th Air Base Wing command chief.

Personnel who use this service do not have to notify their chain of command so this program removes those fears of repercussions. 
 
In conjunction with AADD, Arnold began a new initiative called Leaders at the Gate in which the gate guards hand out AADD informational cards.

"Integrating Leaders at the Gate with our Airmen against Drunk Driving program promotes the ability to provide helpful information to Team Wright-Patt members who may find themselves in need of a safe ride home," said Arnold.