Photo by Adam Skoczylas Pfc. Brent Friedrich, 289th Military Police Company, takes his turn in the Seatbelt Convincer, where he flies into an air bag, during The Old Guard's Safety Day April 30, while Soldiers watch and wait for their turn.

Lt. Col. Brandon Robbins, deputy commander for The Old Guard, took the podium to give introductory remarks with emphasis on safety being a primary concern for Soldiers on and off duty.

‘‘Knowledge is power and it is up to every one of us to take away something [from today’s event],” Robbins said.

‘‘In the last nine years we’ve had 4,200 [killed in action] in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines on the global war on terror and an additional 1,100 non battle deaths,” Robbins said.

‘‘In the last two years there have been 70 killed in [personally owned vehicle] accidents, 17 killed in motorcycle accidents and 66 in other accidents: negligence when using hunting weapons, swimming, boating, walking — you name it,” Robbins said.

‘‘The bottom line is, these techniques from today we have got to start applying every day,” he said.

‘‘Every day that we have is a gift, and that is why they call it the ‘present’ day. So don’t compromise yourself, or put yourself in a position to compromise your teammates. Between now and September, there is normally a 40 percent increase in accidental serious injuries and death.

‘‘These trends are clear,” Robbins said.

‘‘As the seasons change the environment changes, and the trend we have to change is that 40 percent increase in accidental injuries and death, and not be a statistic. The bottom line is, make a plan, rehearse your plan, don’t deviate from it and stick to it regardless,” he said.

‘‘All of you, whatever position that you may be in, are too valuable to us to not have in the ranks. The Army needs you, The Old Guard needs you and your teammates need you.”

For safety measures taken by a few of the warfighters of the regiment, Robbins presented medals and achievements awards.

Staff Sgt. John E. Ahern Jr., 529th Regimental Support Company, was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his exceptional performance and expertise as the ammunition’s sergeant.

Pfc. Jonathan Dionne, also from the 529th, Staff Sgts. Michael J. Delaune and Joshua P. Salazar, Fife and Drum Corps, received certificates of achievement for their efforts in ensuring safety is always a top priority.

Dionne drove more than 7,000 miles in 2009 and 4,000 in 2010 accident free while operating passenger vehicles during unit missions.

Delaune and Salazar’s selfless service, volunteering to be safety NCOs for the Fife and Drum Corps, also didn’t go unrecognized by the command.

After the awards were presented, Soldiers split up into groups and were required to visit different stations set up throughout Summerall Field. They were briefed on safety regulations and given suggestions that could prove beneficial.

‘‘So far I’ve have been given information about how put out fires, the proper way to put on seatbelts and use first aid,” said Spc. Jesse Williamson, Honor Guard Company. ‘‘I’ve also received tips on how to screw in light bulbs, properly implement motorcycle and car seat safety measures.”

‘‘All of this information, training and guidance will always keep me mission ready,” Williamson said.

Some Old Guard Soldiers provided instructions on using impaired vision goggles, safety for sporting events such as basketball and football and soccer. Personally owned vehicle safety inspection training was provided by The Old Guard. They also covered home repair and tool safety.

JBM-HH’s Cody Child Development Center provided training for children’s safety at home.

Gun, cell phone, driving and car seat safety was covered by JBM-HH’s Directorate of Emergency Services. JBM-HH’s Fire Department showed Soldiers the proper way to extinguish fires.

Motorcycle Safety was conducted for Soldiers by Fort Belvoir’s Motorcycle Safety Foundation while the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary covered water safety.

Fairfax County’s Police Department supplied a Seatbelt Convincer, a car simulator where Soldiers were caused to fly into an air bag as it deploys safely while officers supplied tips for safe and sober driving.

‘‘A lot of time and effort has been spent to enhance on-duty safety,” said Kerry Lolhof, an occupational health and safety specialist for the 529th and responsible for organizing the safety day training. ‘‘We focused our Safety Day on off duty activities. The message to the Soldiers is that it is just as important to do a risk assessment off duty as it is for any other mission they conduct while on duty. They need to be the supervisor and the buddy to their Family and friends. I think the Soldiers walked away from today’s training with several tools for their kit bag to take home and share.”