DAADD offers safe and anonymous free ride home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 36 people are killed and approximately 700 more are injured in alcohol-related vehicle accidents in the U.S. every day.

Volunteers for the Dover Airmen Against Drunk Driving Program prevent Airmen from becoming part of that statistic.

"This program is about saving lives," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Kynard, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter and vice president of DAADD. "It makes me happy knowing that our Airmen are safe and taken care of, and I'm dedicated to making this the best program it can be."

The DAADD program at Dover AFB was named as a 2008 Air Force Best Practice because it works with command post to provide reliable transportation for Airmen who need a ride to return safely home.

"This program helps you out when you're down to your last option to get home," said Senior Airman James Oberhaus, 436th Services Squadron and DAADD point of contact. "I encourage people to volunteer for our great program - whether they're civilians or military."

The DAADD program has been giving rides to more than 3,800 Airmen since 2003.

"I've seen the effects of drunk driving when had struck our family car," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Hellwig, 436th CES first sergeant and mentor of the DAADD program. "As a 12-year-old kid, seeing my mother hanging out the passenger side window was horrifying and I can't begin to explain that kind of experience, but I wish that no one would have to go through that type of situation."

The sergeant says that she would rather pick up an Airman than go to their funeral.

"During my 18-year-career, I have seen some people make poor choices and get behind the wheel," said Sergeant Hellwig. "If you have to think twice about calling DAADD, just think of the worst thing that could happen as an end result - killing someone and killing yourself."

Acting as a safeguard for the Dover community, DAADD volunteers to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries due to alcohol.

"It's honorable knowing we have many volunteers who are committed to saving lives because they sacrifice their time to make sure someone gets home safely," said Sergeant Hellwig. "It's heart warming to know that someone who has that type of strong character decides to volunteer - not because they're forced to do so.

"It's also a personal gratification you don't forget because you'll never know how many lives you've saved on the road from driving that one person home," she said.

DAADD unit representatives recruits volunteers because they believe in saving lives and as Airmen, they should take care of one another.

"I would rather take a couple minutes of my time to drive and pick someone up than to find out there was an accident involving drinking and driving," said Airman 1st Class Tracey Wootton, 436th Comptroller Squadron and DAADD point of contact.

Failing to plan can have long term effects on an Airmen's career.

"I've seen Airmen in the past who end up ruining their career because their plans fail or they didn't think ahead," said Staff Sgt. Scott Hautanen, 436th Security Forces Squadron and DAADD unit representative. "By having this program and making the call, it can help to prevent future alcohol-related incidents."

"The next time you think about drinking and driving, think about the lives of innocent people you would destroy out there on the road," said Sergeant Hautanen.