Ellsworth Continues to Promote Responsible Choices

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Wright
  • 28 Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  When a planned ride home falls through after a night involving drinking, a servicemember can call a cab or walk. 

Ellsworth company grade officers are providing another option to keep servicemembers from behind the wheel. 

November 1 through Nov. 4 marked SafeRide's inaugural weekend. The program offers servicemembers a responsible option for travel when they cannot drive. 

"SafeRide was instituted to provide servicemembers with an alternative to driving under the influence of alcohol," said 1st Lt. Rick Fry, SafeRide project officer. "It is not intended to be a servicemember's primary plan to get home after they have been drinking, but it will always be available when someone needs a ride." 

While, CGOs have the lead, every squadron on base has a supporting role. A CGO point of contact in each squadron compiles a list of individuals that have volunteered to be drivers. About once a quarter each squadron will have the opportunity to sponsor the SafeRide program by providing volunteer drivers.
 
"The squadrons on base are behind this effort and together we'll help this program provide a safe option for our servicemembers," said 1st Lt. Raphael Carranza, Ellsworth's Company Grade Officer Council president and SafeRide project officer. 

When an Airman calls the SafeRide number, 385-7433 (RIDE), they will be asked their location and destination. A CGO will take the call and dispatch a driver from the list of volunteers for that weekend. Within 45 minutes, a volunteer driver will arrive and provide the individual a safe ride home. 

There are some rules to ensure the program respects the volunteer's time and service. For instance, the servicemember's destination must be their place of residence and not another party or bar. 

"The CGOC felt that implementing a program of this type could be very beneficial to the base," 1st Lt. Rick Fry said. "We also felt that as young officers, we should be the organization leading the charge." 

"The idea is to promote a culture of responsible choices where servicemembers take care of one another and ask for help, rather than drive under the influence," said Col. Scott Vander Hamm, 28th Bomb Wing commander.