Recognizing and Thanking Postal Inspectors, Postal Police Officers

On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, let's recognize and thank U.S. Postal Inspectors and Postal Police Officers who have a proud and successful history of fighting criminals who attack the nation’s postal system and misuse it to defraud, endanger, or threaten the American public. Pictured above, from left, are Postal Inspectors Ivan Ramirez, Blanca Alvarez, and Bladismir Rojo of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division. In addition to their exceptional crime-fighting skills, this trio has outstanding credentials as Public Information Officers.

All You Need is Love Stamp

The Postal Service will dedicate Hearts Blossom, this year’s Love stamp, in Puerto Rico today. Here are some facts about the island.

1. Puerto Rico has a rich history. Christopher Columbus claimed the Caribbean island on Spain’s behalf in 1493. At the time, the island was inhabited by Taíno Indians. Spanish explorers originally called the island San Juan Bautista in honor of St. John the Baptist. Puerto Rico (“rich port”) was an important city on the island. Over time, Puerto Rico became the island’s name and the city became known as San Juan.

2. The island’s residents are U.S. citizens. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson signed a law that established Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory and granted Puerto Ricans U.S. statutory citizenship. The island became a self-governing commonwealth in 1952.

3. Puerto Rico has close connections to the U.S. mainland. The largest migration of Puerto Ricans to the U.S. mainland occurred in 1953, when more than 69,000 islanders relocated mostly to New York, New Jersey and Florida.

4. Puerto Rico is home to a rainforest. El Yunque National Forest, located in northeastern Puerto Rico, is the only tropical rainforest managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The 28,000-acre, biodiverse ecosystem encompasses 240 species of trees, 23 of which are unique to the rainforest. Tiny frogs called coqui are the island’s “unofficial” national symbol.

5. Several major industries are represented on the island. These include pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, processed foods, clothing, finance and tourism.

6. Puerto Rico has several claims to fame. Famous Puerto Ricans include actors Benicio del Toro and Rita Moreno, baseball great Roberto Clemente and singer Ricky Martin.

Source: LINK

'What Safety Means to Me!'

'Buckle Up for Safety, Buckle Up!'

Buckle up for safety, buckle up!
Buckle up for safety, always buckle up!
Pull your seat belt snug, give an extra tug,
Buckle up for safety, buckle up!

Buckle up for safety, buckle up!
Buckle up for safety, always buckle up!
Show the world you care by the belt you wear,
Buckle up for safety, when you're driving buckle up!

Buckle up for safety, buckle up!
Buckle up for safety, always buckle up!
Put your mind at ease, tell your riders, please
Get your seat belts buckled, everybody buckle up!

Buckle up for safety, everybody buckle up!

--- National Safety Council Public Service Announcement (1964)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSqGHo32BGI

                                   

On Monday, January 7, 2019, a privately-owned vehicle ran a red light and broadsided a Long-Life Vehicle (LLV) in South Florida. The Letter Carrier was not injured, but had he not been wearing his seatbelt, the results could have been tragic.  

The South Florida Leadership Team wants you to return home safely and without injury each day.  Wearing your seat belt can ensure that our most valued delivery is delivered each day. That’s YOU! 

Wearing a seat belt is the simplest and most effective way to stay safe, yet too many drivers do not take the time to buckle up.

Crash-related injuries attributed not to wearing a seat belt can effect a driver’s livelihood and can have a tremendous emotional and financial impact on the driver and his or her family. Not to mention the fact that forgetting the simple act of putting on your seatbelt can cost you your life!

Buckling up is the most important safety measure you can take to protect yourself in a crash as it helps keep you safe and secure inside your delivery vehicle. Seat belts also are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.

Some Rules of the Road

·   Be attentive and keep your eyes on the road at all times. Distractions are easy to come by, but it is your personal decision to maintain focus.

·   Be sure that all vehicle doors are closed when you are traveling to and from your route, moving between park and relay points, and entering or crossing intersecting roadways.
·   When you are operating a vehicle on curb line delivery routes and traveling in intervals of 500 feet (1/10 mile) or less at speeds no greater than 15 miles per hour between delivery stops, you may leave the door open on the driver's side. You must still close the door when traveling through intersections.
·   Postal drivers must wear seat belts when their vehicles are in motion. When driving an LLV, wear your lap belt and shoulder belt when your vehicle is in motion. Exception: When shoulder belts prevent drivers from reaching to deliver to or collect from curbside mailboxes, they may unfasten the shoulder belt, but never the lap belt.

Please buckle up! Your life depends on it!

Celebrating a Career Milestone

 

On December 17, 2018, Supervisor, Statistical Programs Ernesto Brooks (top, left) presented Data Collection Technician Carmen Ortiz (top, right) with her 25-year Service Award and pin. The recognition took place during Quarter 1 training for the Statistical Programs Team.

 

Ortiz began her career as a Multi-Position Letter Sorting Machine (MPLSM) Operator at the Fort Lauderdale Processing and Distribution Center. During her career, she also was a Flat Sorting Machine (FSM) Clerk, Parcel Post Clerk, and Sales and Services Associate. On February 14, 2009, Ortiz was selected for her current position.

 

Photo: Dawnie Turner

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Why It Pays to Save Your Sick Leave

The Postal Service is made up of teams that work together to collect, transport, process, and deliver the mail. All team members must count on each other to get the job done. When an employee is out on sick leave, the rest of the team works a little harder to make sure our service standards are met.   

Sick leave is an important benefit to be used if you are incapacitated for duty. The Postal Service sick leave benefit accumulates every pay period, which allows an employee to build up a bank of hours that is available when needed for illness or injury, or for long term leave due to an extended illness, accident or medical condition.  

Your sick leave benefit pays your salary when you can’t work. That is how the sick leave benefit protects your future. It is like money in the bank – to be saved, and used when needed.  And few investments grow at the rate of saved sick leave – if you use an hour of sick leave tomorrow that you earned fifteen years ago, that hour is paid at your current wage – not your wage when that sick leave time was earned. 

Because you can’t predict the future – when you will get sick, or injured, or need extended time for a long recuperation period – it is prudent to bank your sick leave hours. This will offer you a safety net for those times when you are physically unable to work.   

Injury or illness can strike anyone, at any age, at any time. Protect your future and bank your sick leave.