DLA Disposition Services hosted innovative workshop
 By Jeff Landenberger
  Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services recently wrapped up an Equipment Specialist Summit at their headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan. “The purpose of this summit was to bring all the equipment specialists in from all around the world and provide them with the next level of training to enhance their proficiency,” said Dan Bauer, material handler equipment training coordinator for DLA Disposition Services. Equipment Specialist of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services investigate and discuss a recreated situation that resulted in a mishap as part of an Equipment Specialist Summit at their headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan.




A forklift sits at the base of a ramp leading upwards. a person is sitting inside the cab of the forklift. Seven people stand off to one side and are looking at the forklift.
        Workshop
            Equipment Specialist of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services investigate and discuss a recreated situation that resulted in a mishap as part of an Equipment Specialist Summit at their headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan.

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                    Photo By: Jeff Landenberger
                    
                    VIRIN: 231031-D-YU183-0039 Each day of the summit focused on a different theme: safety, proficiently and accountability, Bauer said. Bauer said his team reached out to subject matter experts across DLA including Instillation Management and several directorates of Disposition Services, all to get the attendees the best and most up to date information on contracting, hand receipt procedures, safety, and training. A new feature of the summit was the story board workshop held at the Battle Creek Air National Guard base where DAL Disposition Services train MHE operators. The workshop consisted of four scenarios of MHE mishaps including a story board with photos and a brief write up of the accident. Adjacent to each story board, equipment was set up to recreate the situation. In some cases, the summit participants were able to operate the equipment and walk through the evolution while discussing what took place, and what should have taken place to avoid the mishap. Equipment Specialist of DLA Disposition Services pose for a group photo during the Equipment Specialist Summit at the agency’s headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan.




Photo of 34 men and women in working cloths standing on steps inside of a conference room with DLA Disposition Services' command logo on a screen behind them
        Group photo
            Equipment Specialist of DLA Disposition Services pose for a group photo during the Equipment Specialist Summit at the agency’s headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan.

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                    Photo By: Jeff Landenberger
                    
                    VIRIN: 231101-D-YU183-0053 Bauer said the feedback he received on the workshop was positive. He said it gave them the opportunity to be more hands on, discuss situations that they have faced at their sites, and it sparked conversation. Even though the summit has wrapped, it’s not over. Bauer and his team collected 52 action items from the three-day summit, 23 have had responses sent out and they are working the other ones. This was the first summit that Bauer hosted. “I took this as my training camp and rookie year all thrown into one,” Bauer said. So, coming out of it I know I'm going to be well versed for next year.”