HGL’s 3Rs (Recognize, Retreat, Report) Explosives Safety Education Program Support Garners Prestigious AAEES Honor Prize Award

In March 2020, the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (USAESCH), with HGL as its munitions response services supporting contractor, received an Honor Award in Environmental Communications from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists® (AAEES) for USAESCH’s 3Rs (Recognize, Retreat, Report) Explosives Safety Education Program (https://3Rs.mil). AAEES’ annual competition evaluated projects based on innovation, future value, creativity and clarity, effectiveness, and integrated design approach.

The 3Rs Program is a collaborative effort between the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health (DASA-ESOH), USAESCH, HGL, and participating installations to expand safety education and awareness concerning unexploded ordnance. USAESCH provides technical expertise, engineering solutions, and innovative approaches for addressing national environmental issues through centrally managed programs, such as the 3Rs Program. HGL has been supporting USAESCH directly for 10 years on munitions-related projects and has been providing community relations support to USAESCH and other clients for over 20 years.

Outreach events have been one of the most successful methods for bringing the 3Rs message to children and families. A prize wheel with 3Rs giveaways and games entertain children at the 3Rs outreach booth, while parents are engaged with a brief survey to build awareness of the dangers of unexploded ordnance. And when Sergeant Woof, the 3Rs Program mascot, arrives at the outreach booth, everyone wants a photo.

HGL’s contract with USAESCH is focused on outreach at active Army and National Guard installations and involves working with installations to identify 3Rs Program needs, develop site-specific educational material and training, participate in outreach events, and provide installations with support to expand and maintain their 3Rs Program. Additionally, HGL has provided general 3Rs Program support by conducting website usability assessments, storyboarding new social media videos, and maintaining a 3Rs helpline.