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AADD gaining strength, impact

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connie L. Bias
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Airmen at Fairchild are dressing up Airmen Against Drunk Driving. The program has new officers, a new logo and a growing host of volunteers, thanks to a recent push by base first sergeants and Senior Airman Cindy Phillips, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief executive assistant and career-long AADD volunteer. She said that while the program has always been in existence at Fairchild, membership had dwindled for a while, and she thought something needed to be done about it.

"I deployed, and when I returned there was just me and one other person at the AADD meeting in December," said Airman Phillips. "I started networking with the first sergeants, and they really helped me to let supervisors know we need volunteers."

That networking paid off. The March AADD meeting rounded up 32 participants, and the volunteer list is still growing.

"We've already done some really great things," said Airman Phillips. "We've started a ride-along program with the Washington State Police for AADD volunteers as an incentive. Also, the command chief's office is securing GPS (Global Positioning System) trackers for AADD volunteers to check out during their volunteer weekends."

In fact, 92nd ARW command chief Chief Master Sgt. Judith Ruiz, one of AADD's staunch supporters, introduced the GPS idea after a recent trip to San Diego, Calif.

"I was riding with a fellow command chief who had brought his own GPS system with him," said Chief Ruiz. "Having the GPS really helped, and once I started thinking about who else could use this great resource, AADD came to mind."

The chief said once the final financial aspects are in order, AADD volunteers will be able to use the systems to get around town quickly and safely.

"I'm really excited about the current cadre of volunteers," said Chief Ruiz. "Their hearts are in the right place and they're passionate about what they're doing. Not only is AADD an important mission, for our Airmen to help other Airmen, it's also a prime opportunity for Airmen to appreciate the other side of the coin. It's important to grasp the impact of people who make the unwise choice of drinking and driving ... The program really helps to uphold our culture of making responsible choices."

The chief added that though volunteer rates for AADD are rising, the program can always use more people. The group specifically needs drivers who live in the Spokane area, since most of the incoming calls come from Spokane.

"One of the concerns for AADD is the call response time," said Chief Ruiz. "Many callers will get impatient - the bar closes, they're in the parking lot, they call AADD, and then don't want to wait for 20 minutes for their ride. More volunteers in the Spokane area who could respond faster would help."

When a person does volunteer for AADD, they receive a short briefing from Senior Airman Phillips explaining volunteer responsibilities, such as answering the phone and keeping a dispatch log.

"There are three ways to volunteer," said Airman Phillips. "There are dispatchers and vehicle operators, and then a person can be an advertisement volunteer. That would entail things like making slides for events and raising awareness when AADD has an upcoming event."

To volunteer, e-mail Master Sgt. Marc Maschhoff, AADD president, at marc. maschhoff@fairchild.af.mil, or call him at 247-5653.