MAYPORT, Fla. –
For the second consecutive year Southeast Regional Maintenance Center’s (SERMC) Environmental, Safety and Health (ESH) Department was recognized with the Navy’s top safety honor, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Shore Safety Award for fiscal year 2024. The prestigious award was presented by Rear Adm. Daniel Lannamann, commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC), during a ceremony held here June 3.
The annual CNO Shore Safety Awards recognizes commands that exemplify outstanding commitment to safety through proactive programs, rigorous standards, and a culture of continuous improvement. For SERMC, earning this recognition two years in a row is more than an accomplishment, it’s a testament to the command’s entrenched safety culture.
“Congratulations and thank you all for your continued hard work to win the CNO Safety Award again,” Lannamann told the assembled Sailors and Civilians. “None of you came to work today with the intention of getting hurt, you came to do a job with the expectation you’ll go home in the same or better condition than when you arrived. By continuing to report unsafe conditions and maintaining a culture of safety, you’ll continue to take care of yourselves so you can take care of each other and take care of these ships.”
The ESH Department's approach to overall command safety involves daily engagement with the workforce, rigorous hazard assessments, and the integration of safety principles into every aspect of operations. According to Lannamann, it’s the team’s commitment that elevate SERMC’s safety performance to an award-winning level.
“The high standards that foster a proactive safety environment include strong communications and excellent teamwork, which are the same standards necessary to return ships from maintenance availabilities on time and without incident,” Lannamann added.
SERMC’s safety strategy is embedded in the day-to-day work of every team member. The command actively works to identify, assess, and control workplace hazards to ensure both operational capability and personnel well-being.
“The people that work at SERMC are our most valuable resource,” said Capt. Kiah Rahming, SERMC’s commanding officer. “This award isn’t just for the ESH Department, it’s a reflection of the collective effort by All Hands. At SERMC we’re committed to evolving and improving our command through empowerment, communication, and trust. That’s how we stay safe, productive and ready.”
Julie Dolson, director of the ESH Department, underscored the systems-based foundation behind the success. “SERMC Sailors and Civilians are trained to report any unsafe conditions and are empowered to halt operations if necessary. The ESH Department investigates all reports, collaborates on corrective actions, and ensures the reporting employee is informed of the outcome in the end.
With back-to-back wins, SERMC not only sets the standard for Navy maintenance, it shows that a positive safety culture is connected to overall mission success.
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