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The Air Force Safety Center (AFSC) is a field operating agency headquartered
at Kirtland Air Force Base,
New Mexico.
Mission
The Air Force Safety Center develops and manages Air Force mishap prevention
programs and the Nuclear Surety Program. It develops regulatory guidance,
provides technical assistance in the flight, ground and weapons and space
safety disciplines, and maintains the Air Force data base for all safety
mishaps. It oversees all major command mishap investigations and evaluates
corrective actions for applicability and implementation Air Force wide.
It also develops and directs safety education programs for all safety
disciplines.
Personnel
There are approximately 160 personnel assigned to the Air Force Safety
Center, divided almost equally between military and civilians.
 Organization
The Air Force chief of safety, who also holds the title of director,
Air Force Safety Center, heads the organization. The Air Force Safety
Center has a group commander, four mission divisions, three support divisions
and a small liaison detachment at the Pentagon.
The Aviation Safety Division manages Air Force flight mishap
prevention programs for all manned aircraft. It furnishes technical assistance,
information and analysis for flight safety issues and manages the flight
mishap investigative process. In addition, they provide comprehensive
flight engineering expertise, guidance in the human factor and life support
arenas and oversee the USAF Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program.
The Ground Safety Division develops ground safety programs and
procedures to provide a safe work environment for Air Force personnel.
They research, write and maintain Air Force Occupational Safety and Health
standards to ensure compliance with federal laws. In addition, they evaluate
final mishap reports and provide lessons learned and analyses to field
units.
The Weapons, Space and Nuclear Safety Division establishes and
executes mishap prevention programs for all weapons, reactor, space and
nuclear systems. They provide nuclear systems design certification, explosive
safety standards development, space and weapon safety consultation, as
well as system inspection, oversight, education and staff assistance
in their areas of responsibility.
The Policy, Plans and Programs Division ensures proactive and
effective mishap prevention guidance for all safety disciplines. They
manage and administer the Air Force safety education and training program
and operate the USAF Crash Laboratory. They are also responsible for
the Air Force Safety Awards Program, the development and implementation
of the Operational Risk Management Program, and administer the AFSC Quality
Program.
The Data Operations and Analysis Division provides AFSC with
communications-computer infrastructure and expertise needed for effective
productivity and mission accomplishment. They maintain the Air Force
data base of all safety mishaps and respond to customer requirements
for mishap data.
The Public and Media Affairs Division publishes three Air Force
special publications: Flying Safety, Road and Rec and Nuclear
Surety and Weapons Safety Journal. They are responsible for fielding
inquires from local and national news media for safety information and
providing coordinated responses. In addition, they are responsible for
producing video tape presentations on relevant safety issues in support
of mishap prevention programs.
The Resource Management, Manpower and Career Programs Division establishes
policy and manages Air Force safety civilian and enlisted career fields.
They are the functional managers for the Air Force safety manpower standard
and variances. They also establish policy and manage AFSC military and
civilian personnel actions. In addition, they are responsible for AFSC
manpower requirements and managing the AFSC budget.
The Issues Division, a detachment in the Pentagon, provides a
direct interface with members of the Air Staff. They facilitate responses
to questions on safety-related issues raised by the chief of staff and
members of the staff. They also represent the chief of safety at Air
Staff meetings and boards.
The Center has a staff judge advocate assigned who provides legal advice
and general counsel on all aspects of mishap prevention programs and
safety investigations. In addition, the office is responsible for maintaining
the AFSC mishap report library and responding to Freedom of Information
Act (FOIA) and non-FOIA requests for mishap investigation data.
History
After the Air Force became a separate department, the Air Force chief
of staff designated the Office of the Inspector General to oversee all
inspection and safety functions. These functions were consolidated in
an Inspector General group at Norton Air Force Base, Calif., in the 1950s.
On Dec. 31, 1971, the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center was activated,
replacing the 1002nd IG Group. The center was divided into the Air Force
Inspection Agency and the Air Force Safety Agency in August 1991. Both
agencies moved to Kirtland AFB in July 1993 due to the closure of Norton
AFB.
On Jan. 1, 1996, the Air Force Safety Center activated when the Air
Force chief of safety and staff moved from Washington, D.C., to consolidate
all safety functions at Kirtland.
POINT OF CONTACT:
Air Force Safety Center, Public and Media Affairs Division; 9700 G Avenue
SE, Suite 282A; Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 87117-5670; DSN: 246-0936 or
(505) 846-0936.
Above Information Courtesy
of United States Air Force
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