AADD saves lives at Lakenheath

  • Published
  • By Verla D. Davis
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
In 2005, Airmen Against Drunk Driving is credited with helping to save 590 lives in the East Anglian community. Its success is credited to the volunteers.

“If we didn’t have volunteers, we couldn’t run the program,” said Staff Sgt. Veronica Rowlett, 48th Medical Group and AADD vice president.

Volunteering with AADD does not mean signing up to be a designated driver. There are three positions to choose from: dispatcher, speaker or driver.

The dispatcher carries the cell phone, answers calls and records information about the caller; such as name, location, identifiable clothing or other helpful knowledge that will get the driver to the caller in an expedient and simple manner.

AADD volunteer Staff Sgt. Christine Hawkins, 48th Medical Group, said because she has two small children, being a dispatcher is easier for her.

“I don’t have to disturb them during their normal sleep time,” she said.

The driver receives the information from the dispatcher and then retrieves the caller. Sergeant Rowlett said drivers are not given a certain area to make pickups, but are given the freedom to choose locations.

“We are happy to accommodate,” she said.

Driver and dispatcher hours are 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The speaker, a recently added position, can be called on at anytime.

The speaker is available to speak about the AADD program and volunteer opportunities at commander’s calls, Combat Intro briefings or the First Term Airmen Center.

“FTAC, right now, is the only scheduled speaking event. We do it about four times a month. Other engagements are based solely on invitation only,” Sergeant Rowlett said.

Volunteers can sign up individually, or for those units looking to give back to the community, there are unit-sponsored nights.

A room in the 48th Fighter Wing Safety office is home to the AADD Volunteer Center. It is equipped with the comforts of home -- a refrigerator, television and DVD player. There are also telephones and internet access to help with dispatching and mapping directions.

Armed with snacks, games and DVDs, the 488th Intelligence Squadron from RAF Mildenhall, England, sponsored six duty shifts over two nights with 39 volunteers during the three-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend -- Jan. 13 through 16.

“This is our second time volunteering,” said Senior Airman Angela Doublin, coordinator for the night. “It’s something we can do to make sure all our members make it home safely.”

“It’s also a good experience,” said 1st Lt. Jay Guadalupe, 48th Services Squadron and honor guard member. “We built camaraderie, and got to know the folks we work with day in and out. Saving lives together, it’s a good feeling.”

AADD is not a plan, but an alternative if your plan fails. Calls are 100 percent anonymous. All you have to do is request the service, said Sergeant Hawkins.