Air Force Chief of Ground Safety to hold Town Hall meeting Published Dec. 12, 2013 By Natalie Eslinger Air Force Safety Center KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- An unintended consequence of the fiscal constraints facing the Air Force is an impediment to communication. With funding cuts for travel, safety professionals in the field have lost the ability to raise questions or concerns to the next level; whether it's unit to wing, wing to MAJCOM or MAJCOM to headquarters, a disconnect has occurred. For safety professionals, this can have dire results. As an alternative to the face-to-face interactions, Bill Parsons, Air Force Chief of Ground Safety, announced the first in a series of Town Hall meetings. The initial meeting will be held Jan. 29, 2014. This is open to all ground safety professionals and can be accessed through Defense Connect online (DCO) or the Meet-Me-Line. Parsons will update the field on key issues before opening up the discussion to participants. "This is an opportunity for ground safety professionals at any location to communicate their questions or concerns directly to me and my staff," Parsons said. As many questions as possible will be answered during the open session. However, according to Parsons, any question that cannot be answered during the meeting, can be addressed if the participant provides their email address and/or duty phone number. The Town Hall will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. (MST). For the DCO website information, please contact your local safety office, and the Meet-Me-Line is Comm: (505) 853-8304 DSN: 263-8304. For more information, please contact Ms. Natalie Eslinger, natalie.eslinger.1.ctr@us.af.mil or Comm: (505) 846-0468/DSN: 246-0468.