Denim Day: Make a Fashion Statement
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Eggstravaganza:
Snakes in Sicily:
Egg-cellent family fun
What You Should Know
PAGES 8-9
N A S SIG O N E L L A
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April 21, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 15
NAS Sigonella Captain’s Cup Soccer 2017
The championship game was a battle between Security and the Hospital on March 30. Security took home the coveted first place trophy while the Hospital took home second place. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Haley) By Jennifer Haley
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Six Captain’s Cup soccer teams entered into a three-day single elimination tournament March 28-30 after six weeks of regular season games. Unfortunately the VP-45 team was unable to participate in the tournament as their deployment ended before the championship match. Game 1 on March 28 between Security and DoDs ended with Security as the victors in a 3-2 final score. Nelson Metayer and Lorenzo scored goals for Security in the first half with Matt Popp scoring in the second half. Dylan Van Wynsberghe scored in the first and second half of the game for DoDs.
Game 2 on March 28 between NATO and OPS ended with NATO as the victors in a 4-0 final score. The score was 1-0 in the first half with Marco Tebbens scoring late in the half. The remaining goals came midway through the second half by Marco Tebbens with his second goal, Robin Fonseco, and Herman Darwish. Two red cards were issued; one for each team midway through the first half, meaning each team would play the remaining of the game less one player. Game 3 on March 29 took place between AIMD and Security with Security winning 2-1. At the end of the first half the score was tied 1-1 with Lorenzo scoring for Security and Daquan Williams scoring
for AIMD. Nelson Metayer solidified the win for Security with a goal early in the second half. A red card was issued against AIMD towards the end of the first half leaving the team down a player in the second half. AIMD moved on to play for the third place trophy against the loser of Game 4, and Security moved on to play for first place in the tournament against the winner of Game 4. Game 4 on March 29 was between the Hospital and NATO with the Hospital emerging victorious 2-0. Koby Agyei scored both goals for the Hospital – one in each half. Two yellow cards were issued against the Hospital in the second half. NATO moved on to play AIMD for the third place trophy, while Hospital moved on to play Security for the championship title. The battle for third took place against AIMD and NATO March 30 and was an epic battle until the end. NATO team captain Falk Plankenhorn led his team of seven with no substitutes against the AIMD team led by captain Mike Fernandez also playing with no substitutes. By the end of the first half both teams were unable to score as NATO’s keeper Sebastian Langehnal and AIMD’s keeper Chanakya Sharma were not letting any balls past them. AIMD had a keeper change with Jonas Guevara stepping in for the second half. Twenty minutes later and the second half was over with neither team scoring. The score was tied 0-0 going into two five-minute halves. Both teams received a few minutes to rest and strategize before going back onto the field. The pressure was building for both teams as one goal could mean winning the game. No goals in the first five-minute half. No goals in the second five-minute half. A last minute keeper change for AIMD bringing in Mike Fernandez ended the over-time play at 0-0. Tournament rules state after two 20-minute halves and two five-minute over-time halves, the teams go into penalty kicks (PKs) and the keeper in at the time plays. AIMD had a strategy going into PKs with a last
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SureStart Holds Spring Field Day By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Under cloudless skies, students from Ms. Dent and Ms. Cagle’s SureStart classes held a spring field day April 12. Parent volunteers from both classes assisted in organizing and running six different activity stations which allowed the children to test their physical fitness and burn off some energy. The children were organized into six teams with students from both SureStart classes mixed together on a team. Parent volunteers helped to oversee an egg hunt, egg toss, egg on a spoon race, bunny sack hop, yarn ball toss, and egg roll. The teams rotated so every child could participate in each station. Egg baskets were made from egg cartons which the children painted and each student received a dozen plastic eggs with goodies for the egg hunt. The new early childhood playground was the perfect setting for the activities and the sunny spring weather contributed to the fun time had by all, old and young alike.
Students from Ms. Dent and Ms. Cagle’s SureStart classes pose for a photo on the early childhood playground after a fun-filled day of Easter-themed activities during a spring field day. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Ybarra)
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April 21, 2017
Direct Line
Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney II Buon giorno, Sigonella! Spring isn’t the only thing in the air these days. While the last bits of snow are melting off Mt. Etna, our community is making the most of April. Not only are there great programs to celebrate the Month of the Military Child, it is also a time to reflect on Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention. Having been a military child myself, I relate to the joys and sacrifices of their position and think how great it is the whole month of April is now dedicated to the military child. If you are a parent, please get involved with your children and engage in the many programs and events this month designed specifically for them. This morning we begin rounding out the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month activities with a 5K run on NAS 2 followed by a ‘human ribbon’ photo shoot. The first 100 runners to cross the finish line will earn a teal SAAPM shirt. If you couldn’t make the run, you can check out the informative silhouettes around the base and the t-shirts when entering NAS 1, or participate in the Quarterdeck decorating contest. I hope some of you were able to attend one of the three SAPR self-defense classes held this month—I know first hand the experience was a blast! Thanks to our volunteer Security team for making the series informative and action-packed! Look for more
opportunities throughout the year to receive this valuable training. Also, give thanks to our SAPR Victim Advocates and POCs on call for our community. April is also home to Earth Day. While we try to make every day Earth Day here at NAS Sigonella, we are taking a pause this morning from 0900 to 1100 for a base-wide cleanup and beautification. Please pitch in as much as possible to collect trash, waste and debris from your zones, remove unsightly weeds and ensure good order within and exterior to facilities. As always, please be mindful to maximize conservation efforts to eliminate needless energy and water consumption and correctly recycle by not contaminating the color-coded receptacles with inappropriate (mixed) contributions. Keep the recycling streams clean! I hope many of you were able to dig into the special meal this week. It was significant as the capstone to the Galley 5-Star accreditation inspection process, which is one of the first steps toward this year’s Ney inspection. Last year NAS Sigonella’s Ristorante Bella Etna was the runner-up finalist. We aim to top it this year with an overall win. We can’t do this without your avid support – please keep it up! Lastly, I’ll beat the drum on issues I discuss at every INDOC class: Please continue efforts with Operational Security (OPSEC – “What’s the first rule of Fight Club?”), the deliberate use of Operational
Risk Management (ORM), and keeping the “Seven-P” system in mind when working toward successful outcomes. Thank you for taking care of one another and keeping the community strong! Make hydration a priority in your day along with making a masterpiece of mission completion. Keep up the greatness that makes NAS Sigonella the best installation in the Region!
Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box The ICE/CO Suggestion Box is for our community and Commanding Officer to discuss, with an eye toward constant improvement, how we are excelling* and how we can improve**. The community is strongly encouraged to leave contact information when submitting comments. This ensures that a response will come directly to you. The Signature and NASSIG Facebook Page typically publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community. Comments/suggestions are useful when objective, constructive, and specific. ICE/CO Suggestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks. Anonymous comments will be published only if they benefit the greater community at large. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publicly recognize employees or organizations. ** The Commanding Officer will ensure a response to all signed comments/suggestions and the vast majority of anonymous ones but reserves the right to disregard those comments/suggestions disinterested in the spirit of the program! There are two ways to submit; go to: 1) Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu. – or – 2) NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on "CO Suggestion Box".
Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment regarding “Italian TV TAX”:
TV tax is being wrongfully applied because misinformation was put out before it was too late to fix. The earliest e-mail regarding the TV tax was shared locally in July 2016. Every two months I have to get my ENEL payment voucher from Housing and pay it in cash at the Post Office in Motta. I submitted all the requested information (signed declaration and copy of passport) in a timely manner to the TV tax e-mail address that Housing established yet I continued to see the TV tax applied to my ENEL bills and was told that it was just temporary and would be fixed next year. This March I received a new bill which still included the TV tax. I was told this morning that the ONLY solution is to continue to get my corrected payment vouchers from Housing. On the NSA Naples Housing Facebook page I found that they first put out information about the TV Tax in April 2016, and in their instructions they stated that the documentation needed to be submitted ANNUALLY via registered mail to the local Italian tax agency BEFORE April 20. Why would this be different in Sigonella? This could save time and money while also allow Housing staff to focus on their normal jobs. I recommend that Housing contact the local tax agency on behalf of the community and provide a way forward. Sincerely, Matt Arnold
Response:
Dear Mr. Arnold, thank you for bringing this issue to my attention. The Housing Office strives to relay information relevant to economy housing residents in a timely
manner. Not all Housing residents had the TV tax applied but the information on how to submit the form was provided to all economy housing residents. New incoming residents’ contracts are submitted as “nonresidential,” therefore no TV tax is applied. Last year the Housing Office was informed that this would be a onetime submission by the tax agency. The tax was applied to all electric bills that were primary residence that was checked off on their electric contract. The Housing Office submitted a package of 93 forms and yours was one of them. The Housing Director actually paid for the certified mail out of his own pocket to make sure the package got to the tax agency. The tax agency did receive that package. While Housing cannot control how the tax agency processes these forms, they have been in contact with the office in Turin to correct any further issues. An All Hands Message was released on April 3 in relation to the TV tax exemption. Any personnel who have been subject to TV tax should go to the Housing Office for assistance in filing the exemption form. Housing utilities counselors are available for assistance. For future Housing-related questions or concerns, please contact the Installation Housing Director Peter Faulk at 624-4070 or peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil.
Comment regarding “Scanning CAC Cards at ECP”:
I have a question concerning base procedure here at Sigonella in contrast to other overseas bases that I have visited. At other bases, ID cards are scanned upon entry into the base. This alerts security personnel of things that a quick visual
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"ICE" continued from Page 2 inspection might miss. Is there a reason that Sigonella does not do this? Thank you
Response:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer your question about the Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS). The request to obtain the biometric scanners for Sigonella is sitting at the Region level. At present, one of the major concerns is establishing a vetting process for issuing Common Access Cards (CAC) to Local Nationals. Another major concern with Local Nationals is the Personal Identifiable Information (PII) stored on the biometric scanners. These topics are being discussed at the top level through the Region Legal Service Office (RLSO), Host Nation Authorities, and Region. I thank you for your comment and if you have any additional questions/concerns regarding the DBIDS, please contact the Security Officer LCDR Cranston at 624-6392 or the Physical Security Officer, Mr. Biddlecome at 624-5474.
Comment regarding “Tax-Free Electricity Bills”:
Sigonella community members (military and civilians) pay taxes on their electricity bills. The Navy Exchange in Naples through their "Residential Services Office" provides a "Tax Free" ENEL contract. I would like to know why this service is not available at Sigonella. This would provide a cost savings to all community members at NAS Sigonella living on the economy. Sincerely, Matt Arnold
Response:
Thank You for your question. We are currently working
Name: Logistics Specialist Seaman Berenise Morales Hometown: San Bernardino, Calif. The Fleet Mail Center on NAS 1 sees around 542 boxes each day, weighing in at around 4.5 tons, or 9,000 lbs. That’s just as much as the second heaviest animal in the world, an African elephant, right behind the blue whale. It takes hard-working Sailors like Logistics Specialist Seaman Berenise Morales to keep it organized and sent to the right place. Morales is a Postal Clerk at the Fleet Mail Center and helps coordinate the pick up and send off of mail for around 50 commands. She also assists with putting every package through an x-ray machine to ensure the mail coming in and out are in guidance with policy. When she’s not at work, Morales can be found volunteering with the USO, or playing soccer. “I’m a soccer fanatic so Europe is the perfect place to be, especially since my favorite team is in Barcelona.” said Morales. “The opportunity to travel for soccer is pretty much my favorite thing about living here.” Other than watching professional soccer matches abroad, Morales enjoys playing locally as well.
on this service for our community here at Sigonella. There are many components involved in order to offer the ENEL program through the NEX Quality of Life Office versus simply accepting ENEL payments. We hope to have this service available soon. As we progress with ENEL, we will keep the community informed. For future NEX-related questions, please contact John Sisson, General Manager, NEX Sigonella at 624-4379.
Comment regarding “NEX Barber”:
There was a Marine Officer who made a comment recently regarding the professionalism of the barbers at the 7-day. He was absolutely correct. When I was there last I told him I wanted a "0" or to the skin fade, and he gave me a "1" fade and not to the skin. After he was done I told him a "0" is to the skin so he just flicked the razor around my ears to fix it, which went to the skin, but it wasn't the same length as my sideburns. These guys have an attitude like they don't want to be at work or something. I've never been to a barber shop that takes less than five minutes to cut your hair. I think the barbers in boot camp spend more time than the barbers at this place. I have heard other Sailors complain too. I am not looking for a fashionable haircut; I just want someone who actually listens to what I want and gives me what I ask for.
Response:
Thank You for your comment regarding the NAS 2 Barber Shop. We have worked, and continue to work, through our contract partner to take steps to eliminate any poor customer service or quality of work at both of our Barber Shops. Please accept my apologies for your experience. If at any time any of the Navy Exchange facilities do not meet your expectations, please contact John Sisson, General Manager, NEX Sigonella at 624-4379.
“I play with a team out in town. There is a team here in Sigonella and we play against Italian teams,” said Morales. “The team is pretty much all guys so it’s pretty cool being one of the only females on the team. This season just ended for soccer on base, but I actually played for the Security team and helped win the league.” After work and playing soccer, Morales intends to start classes toward her Bachelor’s degree in May. “I have an Associates already but I wanted more—I wanted more of a challenge,” said Morales. “Now that I’m in
the military I can do both, I can go to school and continue to work.” Morales checked aboard Sigonella in September 2016 and looks forward to continuing her job on base. “I like my job. I like the customer service aspect and being able to communicate with everybody from different commands,” said Morales. “You get to know more people rather than just the people you work with. It’s great having people get mail from back home, from their families, and bring them a little bit of home, a little bit of happiness.”
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney II Command Master Chief CMDCM Mike Kaszubowski EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Nicole Ybarra nicole.ybarra@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writer \ Photographer MC2 Christopher Gordon Christopher.Gordon@eu.navy.mil CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001 PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 Fax 081-568-7887 This civilian enterprise (CE) newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy. The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Signature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy. Tel. 081-568-7884. Fax 081-568-7887. E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it. Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy. mil, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday proceeding the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers. The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.
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FFSC Hosts Easter-Themed Arts and Crafts for CAPM children. If you have a concern about something going on, we always say just please call us. Ask to speak to a counselor. We know abuse is out there and people don’t want to report that,” said Fox. “But this is a NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Members from the fun event for us, and it’s something for the kids to get Fleet and Family Support Center kicked off the holicreative with and have fun.” day weekend with an Easter-themed arts and crafts “Nobody wants to talk about event in honor of Child Abuse Prechild abuse. It’s the same thing with vention Month (CAPM) on NAS 1. sexual assault –no one wants to talk During the event, children had about that stuff, but it happens,” the opportunity to create customsaid Fox. “Abuse happens everyized t-shirts with their painted where whether it’s in the military handprints, craft unique Easter or the civilian community. The milBunny baskets and, in the spirit of itary tries with the prevention proEaster, enjoy free candy. grams and the awareness months to “We wanted to do something get the word out there, but the big fun, we didn’t want the month to be thing is if you see something, say about the bad side of some parentsomething.” ing: child abuse,” said Emily Fox, In any instance of child abuse event organizer and licensed clinithe Fleet and Family Support Cencal social worker with the Fleet and ter has a wealth of resources and Family Support Center. “We wanted services to help—with programs to tie it in with Easter, so we had the like voluntary counseling, family idea to do arts and crafts.” advocacy treatment, safety planApril is Child Abuse Prevention ning, treatment, etc. Month, Sexual Assault Awareness “Be informed, be attentive, and Prevention Month (SAAPM), and be supportive,” said Fox. “We and Month of the Military Child, should all be keeping an eye on not and the event was crafted to highonly our own kids but also everylight those causes. The t-shirts crebody’s kids. If you feel like someated with the handprints served as thing is not right just say something a reminder that “hands are not for about it.” hitting.” For more information, resourc“It’s all just about awareness. There’s a lot of focus on sexual as- SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 13, 2017) – Matthew Jose, 12, paints a t-shirt with his handprints es, services and channels for help, sault in the military and domestic during an Easter-themed arts and crafts event in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month on you can go to the Fleet and Famviolence, but child abuse also plays a Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base that enables ily Support Center Facebook page role in that too,” said Fox. “It’s a good U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed at FFSC Sigonella, visit www.cnic. opportunity to bring that awareness to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by navy.mil/Sigonella, or call at 09556-4291. and help celebrate Easter.” Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)
By MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
According to data released by the Pentagon in 2014, the number of incidents of child abuse and neglect increased almost 10 percent to 7,676 incidents. Of the victims, 63 percent were neglected and 25 percent were physically abused. “We’re all mandated reporters when it comes to
April 21, 2017
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Denim Day 2017: Make a Statement with Your Fashion By LT Katrina Lufty Health Promotion Department
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – For the past 18 years, Denim Day has occurred on the last Wednesday in April to honor Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s Denim Day is April 26. The campaign began in 1992, when an 18-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by her 45-year-old driving instructor in a small town near Naples, Italy. The perpetrator was arrested, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to prison. The criminal appealed the sentence all the way up to the Third Division of the Italian Supreme Court in Rome. In a matter of days, the case against the driving instructor was overturned, dismissed, and the man was released from prison. In a statement by the
Chief Judge, the Supreme Court argued, “Because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” Enraged by the verdict, the women of the Italian Parliament protested the ruling by wearing jeans to work. Female lawmakers in the United States also wore jeans in solidarity with the victim. Thankfully, the Italian Supreme Court overturned this ruling in 2008, and there is no longer a “denim defense” to the charge of rape. Now, wearing jeans on this day has become an international symbol of eliminating destructive attitudes about sexual assault and of promoting sexual health and safety. This year, we ask community members to make a statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on Wednesday, April 26!
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April 21, 2017
Vizzini Ricotta and Cheese Festival April 23-25 Story by Alberto Lunetta
It’s Ricotta time again! Whether you like it on pasta, in its salty version, inside cannoli shells, or as a sweet, Ricotta is undoubtedly among the most delicious specialties of Sicilian cheeses. The Sagra della Ricotta e del Formaggio (Ricotta and Cheese Festival) returns to Vizzini from April 23 - 25. Local cheese makers will perform the Mescita (the preparation of the ricotta) in piazza Marconi in the city’s historic center throughout the entire festival. The sagra kicks off on Sunday, April 23 at 6 p.m. in piazza Marconi with booths selling tasty Ricotta and Sicilian cheeses as well as local produce and arts and crafts. Live music fills the air in piazzetta Santa Teresa. On Monday, April 24, festival highlights include a vintage car parade (noon, throughout the roads of the historic center), drums and folklore shows at 3 and 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday, April 25, which marks Liberation Day in Italy – the Italian holiday celebrating the liberation of the country from the Nazism and Fascism – ricotta making demonstrations take place in piazza Marconi at 10 a.m., 1 and 6 p.m. Other highlights include: town band performance (9:30 a.m. in the town center), Sicilian carts parade (10 a.m. in the town center), flag throwing performance (3 p.m. in the town center) and period costumes parade (5 p.m. in the town center). Complementing the festival, there will be a static display of vintage cars and motorbikes on Apr. 25 and a ceramics display at the public gardens (Villa Comunale). There will be two tourist information points in piazza Umberto and Piazza Marconi. The name “ricotta” derives from the word Recocta that in Latin means cooked twice. Ancient Romans used to serve the cheese to important guests and offered as a sacrifice at religious ceremonies. Ricotta became very popular in the Middle Ages. Bartolomeo Sacchi, a 15th century novelist, wrote a vivid description of ricotta making: “When the cheese is taken from the caldron, the whey is heated so that any remaining fat will float to the surface. The country people call it ricotta because it is cooked twice to extract the cheese from the buttermilk. Ricotta is extremely white and has a rather pleasant flavor.” Ricotta is considered more of a milk product than a cheese. The whey obtained from the curd of fresh sheep milk is poured into a pot or Quarara and placed over a gas burner set an inch or two off the floor. Ricotta forms when proteins from the whey separate, rise and coagulate. Once ready, the cheese has a granular structure and is white in color. The flavor is tasty and appealing. It must be consumed fresh otherwise it acidifies. Ricotta is eaten as fresh cheese or used in baking and as fillings for lasagna, ravioli, and other pasta dishes. If mixed with sugar, candied fruits, and chocolate drops it is a perfect filling for “cannoli” and other pastries. Fresh ricotta is also set aside to harden and is heavily salted. After a week, “ricotta salata” (salty ricotta) is ready to be shredded over pasta and other tasty specialties.
What to See in Town
Vizzini, a town placed between two hills, is located on the northwestern slopes of the Iblei Mountains about 40 miles from Catania. Its altitude ranges from 187 to 919 meters. Vizzini was first a Greek town, then it fell under the Roman rule and later Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swedes and eventually Spaniards conquered it. In 1693, Vizzini was half destroyed by a terrible earthquake. Its reconstruction took more than 100 years. The natural disaster spared the medieval part of the town. Most of the 20 churches located in the historic center were rebuilt in their original beauty. The Chiesa Madre (cathedral) and the Church of San Giovanni Battista are among the city buildings worth to be visited. The Chiesa Madre partly resisted the 1693 earthquake and was rebuilt on the old Senatorial Palace and on the remains of Benedictine monastery founded by Gregory the Great, patron of the town. On the left flank of the church a beautiful Catalan Gothic style portal decorates the entrance portal. A wooden ceiling by Natale Bonaiuto and two paintings by the Florence master Filippo Paladini embellish the interiors. San Giovanni Battista is the biggest church of the area. Stuccos from Natale Bonaiuto and splendid altars in Rococo style decorate the interiors. Your Vizzini tour must also include the Capuchin Convent. The Capuchins are among the first religious orders that settled in Vizzini. Dominican and Augustinian Convents were also built in the area. The fascinating painting Deposizione (the
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The ancient art of ricotta cheese-making is at the center of the annual Ricotta and Cheese Festival, a truly unique culinary experience running from Apr. 23 - 25 in the historic center Vizzini, one of the most beautiful towns of the Ragusa province. The event will feature arts and crafts, ricotta cheesemaking demonstrations, folklore parades, entertainment and theatrical performances celebrating Vizzini-born novelist Giovanni Verga. (Photo by Giuseppe Stimolo)
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Navy Suspends Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) on Ships, Subs, Aircraft From U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs
NORFOLK (April 11, 2017) The use, possession, storage, and charging of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and all associated ENDS components is temporarily prohibited aboard Fleet Forces and Pacific Fleet ships, submarines, aircraft, boats, craft and heavy machinery pending completion of further analysis. The temporary prohibition is effective May 14, 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gary A. Prill/Released)
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) released a joint message April 14, that suspends the use, possession, storage and charging of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) aboard ships, submarines, aircraft, boats, craft and heavy equipment. The prohibition applies to Sailors, Marines, Military Sealift Command civilians and any personnel working on or visiting those units. The Fleet commanders implemented this policy to protect the safety and welfare of Sailors and to protect the ships, submarines, aircraft and equipment. The prohibition will be effective 30 days from the release of the policy May 14, and will remain in effect until a final determination can be made following a thorough analysis. This new policy is in response to continued reports of explosions of ENDS due to the overheating of lithium-ion batteries. Multiple Sailors have suffered
serious injuries from these devices, to include first- and second-degree burns and facial disfigurement. In these cases, injuries resulted from battery explosions during ENDS use, charging, replacement or inadvertent contact with a metal object while transporting. Deployed units may request extensions on device removal until their next port visit. Supervisors should ensure that removable lithium-ion batteries are removed from the units and stored according to the ENDS manufacturer instructions, in plastic wrap, in a plastic bag or any other non-conductive storage container. Sailors on shore will still be allowed to use ENDS on base, but must do so in designated smoking areas ashore while on military installations. Sailors are encouraged to use available tobacco cessation resources and programs offered through Navy medical services and Navy Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (NADAP) programs. For more information, please see ALFLTFORCOM/ALPACFLT 141300Z APR 17.
Eisenhower Strike Group Completes First OFRP SUSTEX From USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) completed the first sustainment exercise (SUSTEX) under the Navy's Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP), April 11. Prior to OFRP, carrier strike groups disaggregated following deployment and did not reintegrate until the work up cycle for the next deployment. Under OFRP, the carrier strike group remains intact throughout the integrated and sustainment phases. The sustainment phase includes pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment timelines, ensuring forces remain ready to deploy and surge if necessary. This maximizes the Navy's forward presence with available ship capacity. Ike and its carrier strike group are underway participating in the sustainment exercise designed to maintain deployment readiness as part of the Navy's OFRP. "OFRP balances forward presence requirements with maintenance and operational tempo in a way that ensures forces are ready to deploy, or in our case surge forward, if needed, with the right capabilities," said Rear Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of Ike CSG. "By having the CSG maintained at peak material readiness while continuing to train and operate together, we remain ready." The two-week, live event driven exercise consisted of staffs, air wing and ships that deployed together, in-
cluding the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, CSG-10, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), and guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61). SUSTEX is designed to reverify, test and train the carrier strike group's ability to perform and effectively respond as an integrated team during simulated scenarios the group may encounter while deployed or during high-end warfare. CSG-10 worked in conjunction with CSG-4 to ensure the most realistic training evolutions including simulated opposing forces in anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, irregular warfare, and maritime interdiction scenarios. The lessons learned and best practices will be incorporated into future CSG SUSTEX. "Our successful SUSTEX has set the initial framework for other carrier strike groups to adopt and modify to their own post-deployment training plan," Malloy said. At the conclusion of the exercise, Malloy said, "The strike group's outstanding performance in this complex and challenging exercise speaks volumes about the skill and dedication of the officers and Sailors in our ships
and squadrons, as they rapidly integrated for the first time in three months and quickly regained fighting form, honing warfighting readiness and maintaining the edge that made our deployment so successful." Ike and its carrier strike group are underway participating in the sustainment exercise designed to maintain deployment readiness as part of the Navy's Optimized Fleet Response Plan. For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn69/.
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April 21, 2017
NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin: GATEWAY TO ITALIAN COURSES
Command, Department or Organization: CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE Date of Event: 15 MAY 2017- 07 JULY 2017 Time of Event: Varies Location of Event: NAS 1 AND NAS 2 Point of Contact Name: Patrizia Tedesco Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-4306 Point of Contact Email Address: sigonella@europe.ctcd.edu Additional Information: Ever wanted to learn Italian? Now is your chance. You can learn Italian through the Gateway to Italian program. It's available to anyone, but it's free for all eligible Navy Active Duty and DoN civilians. The Navy's Center for Language, Regional Expertise and Culture (CLREC) pays for this eight-week class, IF you request approval through your command. The class is being offered through Central Texas College (CTC), however, you do not have to be enrolled in CTC to take the class and you do not receive college Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services
credit for taking the class. Below is the schedule of courses ranging from Level I through IV. NAS 1 Bldg. 319 (FFSS) Gateway I Tue/Thurs 16.30-19.00 NAS 1 Bldg. 319 (FFSS) Gateway III Mo/Wed 16.30-19.00 NAS 2 Bldg. 618 Gateway I Mo/Wed 16.30-19.00
NEW PROCESS FOR BASE INDOC SIGNUP
Command, Department or Organization: BASE EDUCATION AND TRAINING Point of Contact Name: CHIEF YOUNG Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-4516 / Alt. 624-4510 Point of Contact Email Address: M-SI-NASSIG-TRAINING-GS@EU.NAVY. MIL Additional Information: All Sponsors assisting inbound personnel in their transition to Sigonella, there is a NEW process for signing personnel up for BASE INDOCTRINATION. Please view the web link below: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnreurafswa/installations/nas_sigonella. html *** Please forward this link to the personnel that you are sponsoring ***
Weekly Traffic Report: April 10 - April 17, 2017
Phone Numbers: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493, RP Duty: 335-786-1950. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel
NAS 1
Mondays AA Meeting: . . . . . . 1800-1900 Tuesdays Protestant Women of the Chapel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0900-1100 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 AWANA: . . . . . . . . . . 1645-1900 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . . . . . . . . . 1200-1430 Wednesdays Protestant Men of the Chapel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0600-0700 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Catholic Ladies' Guild (3rd Wednesday): .1600-1800 Thursdays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . 1200-1530 Choir Practice: . . . 1630-1800 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800-2030 Fridays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1830
Saturdays First Saturday Rosary and Mass: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Sundays Catholic Mass: . . . . 0900-1000 Catholic Religious Education (DoDDS): . . . . . . . . . 1045-1200 Protestant Service: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Latter-Day Saints Service: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1330-1600
NAS 2
Wednesdays Knights of Columbus (1st Wednesdays): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1800 Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC): . 1800-2100 Thursdays AA Meeting: . . . . . . 1800-1900 Sundays Protestant Service and Fellowship: . . . 1800-2000
Ristorante Bella Etna
As a reminder to everyone: There are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.
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American Red Cross Offering Babysitting Training Course for Military Youth By Madison Kim American Red Cross Sigonella
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – April is designated as the Month of Military Child, highlighting the significant role military children play in the armed forces community. For the past 10 years, the Sigonella American Red Cross (ARC) has been dedicated to supporting the Sigonella community by educating youth to provide safe and high-quality babysitting services. The ARC babysitting course is a two-day course training youths aged from 11 to 16 in the care of infants up to 10-years-old. It is typically held monthly and provides basic care skills of infants and children as well as CPR / First Aid skills during emergencies; the first day starts with acquiring the overall knowledge of babysitting, such as understanding the mental ages of infants, changing diapers, feeding formula and so on while the second day focuses on learning CPR and caring for injuries and sudden illnesses. Both days incorporate hands-on skills with various types of learning techniques. “I love teaching kids especially because they actively participate in class, have great demonstration skills, and their persistence creates an excellent learning environment for these crucial skills to be taught in a short amount of time,” stated Red Cross Certified Babysitter and CPR/First Aid Instructor, Abigail Helfer. “Being aware of emergency situations and giving them the confidence
and responsibility to take control of their environment is another key learning point.” As it is natural for children to freeze in unfamiliar situations, the preparedness goes a long way to increasing safety. The training incorporates scenario role-playing, and gives the youth an opportunity to increase confidence in their own skills when taking care of younger children. Most importantly, babysitting can be an effective tool for a military child to ease into a new environment. “Moving is tough for kids and such empowerment allows them a smoother transition … Not only does being a certified babysitter brings a great opportunity to network and build a new social circle, but the sense of pride and purpose also carry along with them which are equally as valuable for further child development,” said Helfer. Research by American Red Cross shows over 67% of parents would prefer a sitter to be certified in CPR. One-third of parents turn down babysitters due to safety concerns, which led to 55% staying home instead. To help meet this need, the ARC offers the Babysitter’s Training course where babysitters are exposed to child care and its environmental emergencies. ARC Babysitter’s gain a lifelong childcare certificate and a two-year nationwide CPR/First-Aid certification. ARC strives to provide emergency preparedness training throughout the Sigonella community in various ways which benefits military children and beyond.
Red Cross Certified Babysitter and CPR/First Aid Instructor Abigail Helfer leads the Babysitting Training Course at NAS Sigonella. The two-day long course trains youths aged from 11 to 16 in the care of children up to 10-years-old and teaches youths how to care for infants as well as how to administer first aid. (Photo courtesy of American Red Cross Sigonella)
April 21, 2017
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GAMEZONE
Find and circle all of the Hockey words that are hidden in the grid. The words may be hidden in any direction.
FINGERS FIST
GESTURE GRAB
KNUCKLES LEFT
NAILS PALM
RIGHT RINGS SHAKE SMALL THUMB TOUCH WASH WAVE
MEDIUM
CLAP
POINT
EASY
BIG
DIFFICULT
Hands
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Snakes in Sicily: What You Should Know From U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Sicily is home to a variety of wildlife that may be found in your backyard. The Asp Viper (Vipera aspis) is a venomous snake species that is present locally and has been sighted on base housing. The adult Asp Viper can grow up to 90 cm (35.4 inches) long, however most are smaller. The snake has a slender body with a triangleshaped head and upturned snout. It varies in color, but locally observed as light brown with a dark brown, broad, zig-zap stripe on its back. The head typically has a dark strip behind the eye and its pupil is elliptic. Newborns and juveniles are colored similar to adults. This species occurs in dry, rocky areas, open scrubland, open woodlands, closed forest, hedges, pastures and stone walls. The Asp Viper is mostly active during the day. It is generally slow moving and occasionally climbs in bushes and on rock faces. When disturbed, it may hiss loudly. This snake feeds on small mammals, birds and lizards. If you encounter this snake, leave it alone and move away! This is the BEST method to keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe. Always wear boots when walking in areas where you cannot clearly see where you are placing your feet such as in tall grass, weeds, and heavy underbrush. Always look for concealed snakes before picking up rocks, wood
or other materials lying on the ground. Baby Asp Vipers are venomous and can bite too, so leave them alone! The venom is delivered by fangs. Bites to extremities often produce dramatic swelling. Bite victims should proceed immediately to the USNH Sigonella Emergency Department for care. Animals will typically be bitten on the head/ mouth or feet. Typical signs that an owner may notice are extreme swelling and redness of the area, as well as tissue death. Envenomation is very painful, so your animal may show signs of limping or pawing at the face/area of bite. Bites can cause death in an animal if not treated properly with supportive care. If an animal is bitten by a viper, immediate transport to an emergency veterinary clinic for care is recommended. A list of emergency clinics may be found on the Sigonella Veterinary Treatment Facility Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/sigonellavet/photos/a.59748086375 1196.1073741828.412557942243490/7575124 51081369/?type=3&theater For more information, please contact: LT Brenda White, EHO and Preventive Medicine Department Head at Brenda.l.white49. mil@mail.mil For Emergencies please contact the USNH Sigonella Emergency Department at 624-1911 or 095-86-911 or MAJ Lara Brennecke, DVM at lara.a.brennecke.mil@mail.mil
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"SOCCER" cont'd from Pg. 1 minute keeper change. Five players per team, each team alternating shots until a victor emerges. The teams shot against NATO’s keeper Langehnal and AIMD’s keeper Fernandez. Up first Plankenhorn with NATO, Plankenhorn scored for a 1-0 start. First up for AIMD, Guevara and he missed, still 1-0. NATO’s Couvetle missed and AIMD’s Coulibaly missed keeping the score 1-0 in favor of NATO. The number three shooter for NATO, Loffler scored for a 2-0 lead. The number three shooter for AIMD Lopez scored, breathing hope back into his team and bringing the total to 2-1. Next up Mehl with NATO. He scored for a 3-1 lead over AIMD. AIMD’s next shooter, Sharma, needed to score in order for his team to stay alive. He missed. NATO wins 3-1 in PKs, and becomes the third place winner in the 2017 Captain’s Cup Soccer Tournament. The championship game was a battle between Security and the Hospital on March 30. Both teams arrived early to warm-up and mentally prepare for the game ahead. At the end of the first half one yellow card was issued against the Hospital and the score was 1-0 in favor of Security with Sean Kaszubowski scoring midway through the half. A still optimistic Hospital team came into the second half expecting to get in a few quick goals, but Security’s keeper Alex Lombardo was able to stop their attempts. Lorenzo with Security scored early in the second half bringing the score 2-0, until midway into the second when Sean Kazsubowski scored his second goal on Hospital’s keeper Elias Sandoval bringing the final score to 3-0. Security took home the coveted first place trophy while Hospital took home second place.
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April 21, 2017
"RICOTTA" cont'd from Pg. 6 Deposition) painted in 1607 by Filippo Paladini is preserved in the Capuchins Church. Vizzini is also famous as the setting of “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Mastro Don Gesualdo,” two famous novels by Sicilian writer Giovanni Verga (1840-1922). Verga wrote realistic novels on the life of the poor peasants and fishermen of Sicily. If you’d like to read them but you don’t speak Italian, you can still look for the English translations by David Herbert Lawrence (1885-1930). Verga spent his childhood on his property in Vizzini at his beautiful family house (Palazzo Verga) located in piazza Umberto I, the main square. During the festival, Vizzini-based film director Lorenzo Muscoso will stage theatrical
performaces, inspired by the works of Verga, in the piazzetta Santa Teresa and Trao Palace: schedule is as follows: April 23 (11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.) , April 24 (11:30) and April 25 (11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.). Last year, the NASSIG PAO, Mayor of Vizzini Marco Aurelio Sinatra and Vizzini-based film director Lorenzo Muscoso joined hands to conduct, for the second time, a COMREL cleanup/renovation project of the “Cunziria” tannery, the historic neighborhood which hosted leather craftsmen until the 19th century and inspired novelist Verga to write one of his masterpieces. Local volunteers and Marines and Sailors of SP-MAGTF Africa teamed up to beautify the site which hosted a “Cavalleria Rusticana” performance by Muscoso.
For more information and detailed festival’s schedule, check with ITT for trips to this mouthwatering festival and/ or visit the city of Vizzini web site: http://www.comune.vizzini.ct.it/
No Longer La Bella Lingua? Story by ITALY MAGAZINE
If you spend any time in Italy these days, and watch TV or read the newspapers, you’ll soon notice English words are creeping into every aspect of Italian life. There are usually perfectly useful Italian words, which serve the same purpose, but English words seem to have more status. The trouble is, that in adopting certain words, they assume that they will be understood by English speakers, whereas often a word becomes a part of Italian vocabulary while having little or no relevance to its original meaning. Take the word “spread” for instance. As far as I’m concerned, a spread is something smoothed like butter on toast, or a table extravagantly full of food. Mysteriously, though, this word appears daily on the news whenever finance is discussed. It seems to have to do with differences in rates of exchange, and has probably been adopted from the word spreadsheet. No one in Italy has yet been able to explain to me what it means: they assume I already know. A new act of parliament has recently been introduced in Italy, which they call“The Jobs Act.” We would never use a word such as ‘job’ in official English, of course, preferring to use ‘employment.’ They do have their own suitable word, naturally, but they seem to prefer our catchy little word ‘job.’ You get curious slogans in English on Italian TV adverts. ‘Life is Now’ advertises a mobile phone company, but what on earth does it mean? Another similar company has the slogan “Been Touch.” I assume
PAGE 15 this is based on a misunderstanding and should say ‘Be in Touch’. Odd bits of strange English constantly appear on tee shirts. It’s very frustrating when you want a souvenir or a gift and would prefer to buy something written in Italian. A cute small English girl who likes My Little Pony would not be happy to wear a slogan like “ Sweet Little Horse” and no one who speaks English would wear the nonsense of “If you prove imagine the rainbow you would have light passion.” I’m sure we’ve all spotted amusing notices in mangled English (“Please do not hang” is a favorite, next to railings around a source of very hot water); or menus where the chef has tried to describe a dish with curious results (“The capuntis to the jump of sea on it cremates of ceci”). But these are worthy attempts to be of help to foreign tourists. They pose no threat to the Italian language. Italy has a similar organization to the Academie Française, the Accademia della Crusca, founded in Florence in 1582, which monitors and guards the language. Interestingly, crusca means ‘bran’, using ‘sorting the wheat from the chaff ’ as a metaphor. The current president, Professor Claudio Marazzini, lists particular concerns such as new verbs (chattare instead of chiacchierare – to chat), the gradual disappearance of the subjunctive, and the sprinkling of the language with Anglicisms. “When Italians use the word ‘location’, they are effectively killing off three perfectly
good Italian equivalents: luogo, sito and posto,” he cited as an example. But so often they get it wrong anyway. Who, for instance, understands what footing is? (It means jogging.) The word mister, which means a football coach, has been in the language for a century. They seem to have adopted the word educazione to mean education instead of istruzione. We all know about the Italian invention of Slow Food these days, although they now like the word ‘slow’ so much that they use it for Slow Tourism, whatever that is. The list goes on and on…. Some Italian universities have begun moves to offer all teaching through the medium of English. (And I happen to know that many if not most of the lecturers do not have a fluent command of English.) One wonders what kind of language the graduates of the future will speak. My guess is a kind of incomprehensible Euro-English. Of course what is happening now is only the opposite of the same phenomenon in the 16th century when in England, and throughout Europe, Italian words concerning music were absorbed into other languages. Everyone knows Italian words such as crescendo, allegro, and even bravo. The difference is that there was at the time no equivalent vocabulary in other languages. Today’s situation in Italy prompts Professor Marazzini to complain, “We are heading towards a more meager Italian. If we go on like this, Italian will have vanished by the year 2300.”
Emergency Action Plan: Are You Ready? From NAS Sigonella Safety Office
Here are eight key points to consider when developing an Emergency Action Plan (EAP): 1. Do not store your action plan in electronic form only; make sure hard copies are readily available. 2. List the location of important utility shutoffs, and include digital photos of them so that they can be located quickly and easily. 3. List any equipment or machinery that must be shut down in an emergency and the name of the person(s) who has responsibility for doing so. 4. Have each department review all pertinent parts of the plan to ensure accuracy and workability. Often, if one person is charged with writing the plan, he or she will write something that looks good on paper but works poorly in real life. 5. Conduct periodic drills to ensure employees know what to do in an emergency. 6. Be sure to include provisions in your plan for visitors to your facility. 7. Since emergencies don't always happen on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., when writing your plan, be sure to take into account variations in emergency procedures that account for differences in shifts or days of the week. 8. List in the plan the locations of special equipment (for example, special protective suits to be used in the event of a chemical release) and emergency supplies (food, water, etc.) in the event employees are stranded at your facility. Feel free to contact the safety office at 624-5630 for more information.
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