OSSA/OASR/OFSC Safety Wellness Update, May 2022

​OSSA/OASR/OFSC Safety Wellness Update,  May 2022
 Date:     May 1, 2022
 From:    Kerry Spurgin, President, Oregon State Shooting Association.
  
In mid-2021 OSSA  launched the “Safety-Wellness Program” (www.ossa.org/safety-wellness).  The program has 4 key areas in Basic safety, Safe storage, Childs Safety, and Suicide Prevention.   We have 3 key goals to drive.

• GOAL 1:  Develop and deploy “Firearms Safety and Wellness Info/Brochure kiosks" in 80 % of OSSA Clubs.
• GOAL 2:  Establish ongoing child safety/education classes, in 80% of OSSA Clubs, and train 2X each club's current member count (community outreach)
• GOAL 3:  Establish and deploy New Member Orientation suicide prevention training tools (presentation, video, …) in 80% of OSSA clubs.

 
Along the way we found great partners in the Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges (OASR) and the Oregon Firearms Safety Coalition (OFSC).   OASR brings a trusted relationship with our key clubs in Oregon. In addition, OASR pledged $10,000 in support of the program.   OFSC is an organization focused on bridging the gap of firearms suicide awareness and the firearms community. Through these key partnerships we hope to bring key education and connections to the firearms community to make a statewide impact on firearms safety.
 
In addition, we have a close relationship with The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and their Project 2025 Program.
 
Lastly, The National Shooting Sports Foundation has partnered and in supplying materials and brochures at no charge.
 
We have made considerable progress to our goals.
 

• GOAL 1:  Develop and deploy “Firearms Safety and Wellness Info/Brochure kiosks" in 80 % of OSSA Clubs.
  • 18 of 30 clubs have the information kiosks deployed.  Each of these were completed with a personal review of the program to club leadership.
  • Next steps are to deliver the remaining kiosks over the next 3 months.
• GOAL 2:  Establish ongoing child safety/education classes, in 80% of OSSA Clubs, and train 2X each club's current member count (community outreach)
  • Honestly, this goal has struggled in its original conception.   A number of clubs have junior programs (SB, Trap, Hunters Education, firearms safety,…  But the intent to reach younger children with programs like Eddie Eagle, Project Child Safe, and Kids Safe Foundation have not been accomplished.
  • Next steps are to leverage existing programs to capture the younger kids in age approriate education activities. 
• GOAL 3:  Establish and deploy New Member Orientation suicide prevention training tools (presentation, video, …) in 80% of OSSA clubs.
  • Through our relationship with OFSC and AFSP we have produced a video for clubs to use.    15 of our 30 clubs have had showings to leadership, members, and new members.
  • With the recent release to youtube, we expect wider and more consistent use.   

 
Share our Suicide prevention video, with club members, new members, and the community     Here are the links.   www.ossa.org/video  or     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR7JLE15wt0
 
OSSA/OASR/OFSC Monthly Safety-Wellness Sharing Sessions: 

• To accelerate progress to our goals we have started a monthly sharing session to keep the safety-Wellness goals in front of our club leaders. Increase sharing and increase the support clubs can offer each other.   The first session is May 3, 2022. 

 
Kerry Spurgin, President, Oregon State Shooting Association

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