HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- While the Voluntary Protection Program might be new to some organizations at Hill, the 530th Commodities Maintenance Squadron implemented VPP more than a year ago and has seen positive changes within the group concerning the safety and well being of their employees.

The VPP program is different from other safety programs because it is employee driven. It is run off of the employee's motivation and dedication to address safety issues and keep the work environment safe. The employee driven program has brought up many safety issues that have been resolved within the 530th CMMXS, making a safer work environment for all personnel.

"The employees are constantly coming to us with safety concerns, and they keep coming back with more concerns because they know that the issues are getting addressed and the corrections are being made in a timely manner," said Adam Boren, 309th Commodities Maintenance Group VPP representative.

Mr. Boren states that management support is just as important as the employee involvement when it comes to making VPP such a successful program.
"Our management team supports VPP 100 percent," said Mr. Boren. "When we bring our concerns to them, they back us up in whatever we need to do in order to fix the safety concern as soon as possible."

Mr. Boren said other key factors in VPP success would be making everyone aware of VPP as well as making the employees feel comfortable when addressing their safety concerns.
"Some people don't feel comfortable going to higher management with their concerns so we have a VPP representative from each shop to be there for their peers," said Mr. Boren.

Mr. Boren said that he and Mike Bindrup, the 309th CMXG Union representative also do something they call 'boardwalks', where they walk through the entire building daily and write down all the safety issues that have been brought up and talk with the employees to give them a chance to let us know their concerns."

Mr. Bindrup said that VPP is a program we want instilled in our employees whether they are on or off duty.

"We think of VPP as a team effort and it only works if we all, military and civilians, come together and be eachother's wingmen to make it a safe and healthy environment every day," said Mr. Bindrup.