Get home safe

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  There are many methods an Airman could use to have a good time and get home safely afterwards.  Having a good wingman is a method often used, as well as the rule of 0-0-1-3, which is zero drinks underage, zero drinks while driving, one drink per hour and maximum of three drinks a night. Another method that Airmen can use when they don't have a designated driver or if they are in an uncomfortable situation is Operation SafeRide, which is an anonymous program for enlisted members and officers.

Operation SafeRide from Airmen Against Drunk Driving at Minot to let members know that it's not just a designated driver service but a rescue ride in situations that may get out of hand, to prevent things such as sexual assault.

Tech. Sgt. Sherry Walkup, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron station chief, has been the vice president of Minot's Operation SafeRide since 2013 and was here when the program was AADD.

"Our main focus is to remove keys and remove drunk drivers," said Walkup. "It also helps with morale. In the dorms, there are a lot of Airmen that feel isolated in Minot. Airmen can call OSR on Fridays and Saturdays and we take them downtown to an establishment that doesn't have to be a bar."

Senior Airman Erika Santos, 5th Bomb Wing Command Post controller, works as the secretary for OSR, and explained how it can be used to get out of sticky situations.

"It helps protect against safety-related situations such as sexual assault," Santos said. "Operation SafeRide isn't only for drunken driving prevention, it's also for if you need a ride to get to a safer place."

Minot's Operation SafeRide is changing their original hours to a new schedule.

The current hours are Thursday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., and they plan on changing it to 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the entire weekend, Santos said.

Santos added changing the hours could help with how many people volunteer for the program and how many people get a safe ride home.

"Depending on which weekend it is, we don't usually get enough volunteers," Santos said. "Maybe changing the times would help get more volunteers."

Operation SafeRide's numbers have also improved their number of volunteers and how many people they take home safely.

In 2012 there were only 790 volunteers and 825 safe deliveries, according to Santos. In 2014 there were 908 volunteers and 1,352 safe deliveries. Santos hopes that 2015 follows suit and volunteers and safe deliveries are increased.

Santos believes OSR is important because it helps her fellow Airmen.

"Airmen don't have to waste money on gas or a taxi," Santos said. "It's a free ride to get home safe. I think it's an advantage for all wingmen to use."