Ground safety manager sits down with JBPHH reps

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Keith
  • 624th Regional Support Group Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  One of the biggest responsibilities of the ground safety manager for the 624th Regional Support Group is to ensure the commander is kept informed on the status of the unit's safety program.

Tech. Sgt. Randall Mamalias, a traditional reservist who works fulltime as a fire captain for the Federal Fire Department, achieves this via spot inspections, program assessments, facility inspections, and mishap reports and investigations. He said, "One of the best tools in my arsenal for managing these tasks is networking."

Mamalias did just that today when he reached out to base safety representatives to schedule an assessment of his safety program.

"If I need help with anything that we don't have the resources for, like investigative reporting, then joint base safety will support me," said Mamalias.

Mr. Roger Urbi, lead safety representative for a contractor here, said he and Mr. Marc Sibal, also a safety representative for the contractor, came out to perform an annual requirement called a "base operating service safety needs assessment."

"We look to see what you need to improve, and then we draft a letter with the services you need," said Mr. Urbi.

Mr. Urbi said that Mamalias' program was in good shape and that the request for support was minimal. He said, "He's asking us for services only in areas where he is weak, or where he doesn't have the expertise to do it. That's where we come in." Mr. Urbi gave examples such as occupational health training and additional supervisor safety training.

Mamalias' responsibilities during monthly unit training assemblies (UTAs) includes training airmen on safety precautions and enforcing safety rules to keep everyone out of harm's way.

"As the ground safety manager, Tech. Sgt. Mamalias not only promotes safety, but he has to sell it," said Col. Maynard "Max" Mendoza, commander of the 624th RSG. "Our goal is to empower our Airmen with knowledge," he said.

Mamalias' safety office oversees three squadrons here and two at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.