New guidance for nannies on Incirlik

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Veronica Pierce
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  All nannies offering services to U.S. personnel on Incirlik Air Base will soon be trained and certified in CPR and first aid per new guidance that will take effect May 1, 2014.

This policy comes as a result of community input from a recent Caring for People Forum regarding the ability of nannies to provide first aid to the children in their care in the event of an emergency.

39th Air Base Wing Commander, Col. Craig Wills, said in the policy memorandum, "The safety of our community and especially our children is a paramount concern. It has come to my attention that nannies often do not have the training required to meet minimum safety standards to protect the most vulnerable members of the Incirlik community - our children."

The 39th Security Forces Squadron pass and registration office will ensure all new hire nannies present current International Red Cross/Red Crescent First Aid and CPR training with their gate pass application package, subject to approval of 10th Tanker Base Command.

Training is available at the Red Crescent office in Adana, Turkey and must be certified by the Adana Provincial Health Office. Any cost associated with the training is the responsibility of the nanny, the company by which the nanny is employed, and/or individual sponsor since nannies are not employees of the 39th ABW or U.S. government.

Nannies currently providing services without the required training will not be obligated to present their certifications until their next gate pass is due.

Proof of training must be provided to the 39th SFS pass and registration office and to the Turkish Air Force 10th Tanker Base Command pass and registration office per standard gate pass procedures.

Additionally, sponsors must provide the nanny or nanny's contract company with a copy of the Incirlik AB Child Supervision Guidelines.

Please note that when a sponsor has permanent change of station orders, gate passes for nannies must be returned to the pass and registration office prior to departure for security reasons.

"We understand this policy creates some additional work for both the nannies and their sponsors," said Col. Brent Bigger, 39th ABW vice commander. "This is ultimately about the safety of our children, and you can't put a price on that."

For more information contact the 39 SFS pass and registration office at DSN 676-6617.