CAMP ZAMA, Japan (Oct. 28, 2015) -- The U.S. Army Japan and I Corps (Forward) and U.S. Army Garrison Japan's Safety Offices hosted the annual fall/winter safety and health fair Oct. 23 at the Camp Zama Community Activity Center.
Several organizations and tenant units from the installation, including the Directorate of Emergency Services, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Japan, Camp Zama's Army Substance Abuse Program, and the Camp Zama Army Wellness Center set up booths to provide safety tips, instructions and demonstrations for the fall and winter seasons.
Sagamihara City's Fire Bureau and the Sagamihara Disaster Prevention Association also participated in the fair.
"The main purpose of this event is to invite various organizations to bring their information for the community members and employees, said Kenji Inujima, safety inspector for the U.S. Army Garrison Japan Safety Office.
"We like to educate people and raise awareness of safety issues," Inujima said.
Attendees were shown how to properly use a fire extinguisher by Camp Zama DES employees and Sagamihara City's Fire Bureau provided CPR lessons using a mannequin.
Participants also had the chance to taste a cup of freshly-made green smoothies courtesy of MEDDAC-J.
Several motorcyclists came out for bike safety inspections held outside of the CAC by USARJ Motorcycle Safety Inspection, but the SDPA drew a large crowd with its earthquake simulator.
"There is not much difference on how Japanese or Americans react when it comes to a big earthquake," said Masayuki Sakaguchi, chief of SDPA."With an earthquake at an intensity of seven, a lot of people say they are not able to do anything- they literally stay frozen."
Pfc. Sherrard Thomas, a military food inspector, assigned to U.S. Army Medical Command, Public Health Command Region-Pacific, said the fair was very educational because people tend to take safety for granted.
"How you are supposed to keep your families safe, your comrades safe or anybody around you if you do not know basic safety procedures?" said Thomas.