Training week a success at Barnes

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Benedetti, 104th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • 104th Fighter Wing
104th Fighter Wing, Westfield, Mass. --  Airmen of the 104th Fighter Wing recently completed a comprehensive week of mandatory training from August 19 -23, 2013. The "Super Training Week" allowed unit members to focus on completing core training requirements in a collaborative environment with an emphasis on the wingman concept.

Courses included, Self-Aid and Buddy Care, DEOSH training, Supervisor Safety Training, Financial Management, Flight line Driving , Sexual Assault Response as well as Active Shooter Response Training among other classes.

Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Dumais, 104th Fighter Wing Ground Safety Manager, conducted the Supervisor Safety Training course.

"We want to ensure that the NCOs recognize that they are no longer just airmen but supervisors and responsible for creating a safe work environment. We present students with scenarios designed to test the lessons learned in the class," said Dumais, who has 13 years' experience in the safety career field.

"During the course, we give the supervisors the knowledge to recognize hazards in the workplace and develop systems to mitigate those hazards. Often the cause is the same but the consequence can be different," said Dumais.

"The bottom line is you need to provide your subordinates with proper safety training, a safe work place, and the other items to keep them and our operations safe. Remember, the premise is mission first and safety is part of the mission. Your role is to be a teacher and mentor to those who work for you," he said.

Tech. Sgt. Patrick Renna, 104th Logistics and Readiness Squadron attended and taught several courses during the training period. "We held classes relative to a number of topics and they were heavily attended. This required training reinforces what Airmen already know and is extremely valuable, said Renna.

The 104th Fighter Wing conducts training throughout the year. The "Super Training Week" provides an opportunity for traditional Guardsmen to learn from their colleagues and to integrate those lessons in their work place.