Fort Hood Media CenterFort Hood Media Center

U.S. Army Fort Hood Media Center

Official Government Media Center for Fort Hood, TX

Ask a Question
Subscribe for Updates
Home | Fort Cavazos News | National Safety Month event encourages Fort Cavazos community to ‘Think Safety First’

National Safety Month event encourages Fort Cavazos community to ‘Think Safety First’

Patrons check out the Fort Cavazos Fire Department’s fire truck as Caitlyn Argeris, firefighter with the Fort Cavazos Fire Department, describes the truck’s features at the National Safety Month event June 14 at the West Fort Cavazos Express at Fort Cavazos. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)

By Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — Army and Air Force Exchange Service celebrated National Safety Month with the “Think Safety First” event June 14 at the West Fort Cavazos Express.

The event was a collaboration with the Fort Cavazos Fire Department and the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division to underscore the importance of safety as the Army celebrated 250 years of ensuring the safety of the nation.

“It started off small, with just the fire department teaching the kids,” said Dawn Beirne, West Fort Cavazos Express manager. “This year, we collaborated with CID because they also have a lot of important information to give out to the families around here.”

Ethan Dodson, special agent, Central Texas Field Office Army CID, helped man a table in front of the shop entrance that offered freebies, informational flyers and interactive props, like handcuffs and a protective vest, to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community, he explained.

“Community outreach is one of our big things right now, getting out into the community and working with the people. It’s one of the things that when it doesn’t happen, you notice it,” he said. “We see people, and they see us. It doesn’t work with people just seeing us for the first time on their worst day. We work for this community, so we want to be out there and have people know who we are.”

Sgt. Anthony Garcia, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, who attended with his wife Taylor and their daughter Nova, 4, echoed the same sentiments.

“Whenever something bad does happen, these are the guys that come to help us when we can’t sustain safety ourselves. It’s really important for the community to see these guys,” he said. “They’re not just hiding away in a station; they’re regular people too.

“Getting to see them,” Garcia continued, “it’s like understanding and letting the kids know that these are the people that are here to help you and not to get nervous when you see them outside of something like this.”

Attendees browse an informational table and meet Central Texas Field Office Army Criminal Investigation Division officers at the National Safety Month event June 14 at the West Fort Cavazos Express at Fort Cavazos. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)
Teagan Haines, 3, poses in the driver’s seat of the Fort Cavazos Fire Department’s fire truck during the National Safety Month event June 14 at the West Fort Cavazos Express at Fort Cavazos. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs)