PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE YEAR.

PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY

AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE YEAR.

A Lecture Provided By:

Joint Professionals Training & Support (JPTS) International

Presented At:

The Nasarawa State NYSC Orientation Camp.

Presented by:

Eburuche, o. c. banito

On :

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

AIM:

TO  MAKE CORPS MEMBERS ACT AND THINK SAFETY,THEREBY HELPING THEM TO IDENTIFY, REDUCE AND POSSIBLY ELIMINATE ALL FORMS OF POTENTIAL THREATS/DANGERS DURING AND AFTER THEIR SERVICE YEAR.

INTRODUCTION

Personal Safety refers to the freedom from physical harm and threat of physical harm, and freedom from hostility, aggression, harassment, and devaluation. Safety includes worry about being victimized as well as actual incidents.

Everyone's right of access to performance, excellence, and career achievement are seriously compromised when physical and psychological safety are in question.

A positive, open and supportive climate can enhance learning, performance, high degree of accomplishments and academic excellence. Interactions with instructors, colleagues, co-workers, and peers which are cooperative, friendly, helpful, focused, and trusting are important contributors to achievement and job performance.

A substandard environment is bereft if mutual respect and compassion; it may be characterized by differential treatment and devaluation of certain groups, usually women and minorities. Such an environment can have a negative impact on the self-esteem, academic achievement, career development, and income of targeted groups.

Personal safety refers not only to physical safety (freedom from physical harm) but also to psychological safety, which involves freedom from worry about physical safety as well as being victimized by hostility, aggression, and harassment. Valuing physical and psychological safety means emphasizing not only bright lights, but also a welcoming, respectful environment. In summary, Personal safety is about risk reduction, using good common sense and trusting your instincts.

Even with the structure by NYSC on  comprehensive security assessment, development and implementation and general safety and security policies and procedures for Corps Members, it is important that every corps members  view safety and security as an individual responsibility and not  to depend solely on the NYSC procedures.  A corps member will gain a greater sense of security and self- confidence by preparing ahead for a potential incident. This awareness programme will provide general safety and security guidelines that individual Corps members can use. Most of them are common sense measures that are frequently forgotten when in an unfamiliar environment or during crisis.

Successfully employing the safety and security measures in this awareness requires resourcefulness and vigilance. It is hoped that by applying these measures within a framework of the NYSC security strategy, Corps members can prevent safety and security incidents from ever occurring. When they do occur, the well-prepared Corps members can take quick and decisive action to minimize the likelihood of injury or damage. This programme provides information on:

ž  Situation Awareness

ž  Building Community Relations

ž  General Security Guideline

ž  Criminal Activity

ž  Traveling

ž  Walking

ž  Public Transportation

ž  Vehicle Safety and Security

ž  Additional Considerations for Women

ž  Fire and Electrical Safety

ž  Office and Residences

Situational Awareness

ž  Developing situational awareness by examining surrounding and potential threats is the first step in reducing the likelihood of a safety or security incident. Because each region poses its own unique threats, it is important to look at each region and culture with openness and discernment.

ž  Situation awareness in its simplest form means paying attention to your surroundings and being sensitive to changes in them. It begins with an understanding of the culture and history of the area and is reinforced by frequent interaction with the local people. A residing corps member can help incoming corps members develop situational awareness by compiling cultural guidelines into a single document for use during corps members orientation. It should include information on the  region, and the specific communities in the operational area , as well as the following:

ž  The identity of the various groups within the population and possible hostile or vulnerable groups.

ž  The sensitivities, policies and capabilities of the host government.

ž  The relationship between local authorities and various interest groups and the effectiveness of the local government and civil infrastructure, such as police, fire and emergency response.

ž  Area of criminal activity or instability

ž  Situations that may lead to tension and confrontations among different factions

Building Community Relations

ž  Experienced field workers understand the value of protection provided through building positive rapport and good relations with the local population. Such positive acceptance can help reduce vulnerability, creating a buffer of neighbors committed to the safety of staff in the event of a crisis. Steps to building positive community relations include:

ž  Do not be aloof or isolated. Interact often with neighbors and other staff.

ž  Consider frequenting the local social gathering places, cafes and parks

ž  Arrange an introduction to the local appropriate and build rapport with them

ž  Become involved in community activities apart from work.

ž  If not from the area, learn the local language and practice it often. At a minimum, be aware of words or phrases that could offensive.

ž  Avoid being drawn into relationships that might carry personal obligations or expectations.

ž  Understand local religious and cultural beliefs and practices and the various issues that may arise from them.

Hard Targets

ž  Aid workers are accustomed to feeling accepted and may have difficulty acknowledging that they are under threat. They may be reluctant to adopt or adhere to necessary security procedure, leaving them vulnerable to security incidents. The intent of an effective safety and security program is to make workers and assets less attractive targets- hard targets-forcing the criminal or potential attacker to look elsewhere. Aid workers do not have to hide inside fenced compound to be considered hard targets.  Often adopting simple security measures can deter a potential perpetrator. Some characteristics of hard target include:

ž  Inaccessible. Corps members are difficult to get to. Corps members should rarely travel alone.

ž  Unpredictable Corps Members should vary their routine, using different routes and times for daily activities without any apparent pattern.

ž  Aware. Alert to surroundings, each Corps members constantly maintains situational awareness and adhere to recommended security procedures.

ž  Safe habits. Every corps members in their place of primary assignment should supports and maintain all safety and security policies and procedures.

ž  Take time to plan activities. Try to know the exact route before travelling.

ž  Dress and behave appropriately, giving consideration to local customs.

ž  Learn few words or phrases in the local language to deter an offender or call for help, such as “police” or “fire”.

ž  At a new assignment, find out about local customs and behavior and potential threats or area to avoid.

ž  Know the local security arrangements, such as the nearest police station, emergency contact procedures, and potential safe areas.

Protect Yourself at Home in your Residence Hall

• Lock your door, even when you intend to return home shortly or even if you are just going down the hall. It takes a thief ten seconds or less to enter an open room and steal your property.
• Lock or secure doors and windows when you are alone or asleep.
• Keep emergency numbers by your phone.
• Do not leave messages on your door indicating that you are away and when you will return.
• Do not let strangers enter a residence hall or its premises.
• Do not prop open outer doors. If someone asks to use your phone for an emergency call, offer to telephone for them instead of allowing them access.
• Do not put your address on your key ring.
• Know your neighbors.
• Do not leave keys in hiding places. Thieves will find them. Carry your keys or make sure that anyone who truly needs them has their own copy.
• Call emergency security numbers to report suspicious persons or activities in or around your neighborhood.
• Open a savings or checking account instead of keeping money in your room.
• Keep automatic teller machine cards in a safe place, and keep your PIN number secret. When possible, only use ATM machines during the day.
• Instead of carrying large sums of cash, use a charge card. Some charge cards insure property purchased with those cards against loss, theft or damage.
• If you find yourself in immediate danger, call emergency security number; try to stay calm and get away at the first opportunity.

Protect Yourself When Walking

• Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary.
• Call emergency security numbers to report suspicious persons or activity in or around your neighborhood.
• Avoid shortcuts and dark, isolated areas.
• Walk purposefully, know where you are going, and project a no-nonsense image.
• Avoid potentially dangerous situations.
• If you feel threatened, cross the street, locate an emergency phone, or enter a store or place of business even if you have just left it.
• Have your door keys ready; carry them in your pockets, not buried in a purse.
• If you carry pepper spray, be familiar with how it works and have it available in case you need it.

Protect Yourself When Using Public Transportation

• Have your fare or pass ready in hand when boarding the bus.
• If you want to board a taxi, on noticing that everyone there are male, do not bother to seat in-between them.
• During off hours, ride as near to the driver as possible.
• If someone on the bus bothers you, change seats and tell the driver.
• Look around when getting off the bus or trolley, and be aware of those around you.
• If you are going to be out late, be sure you have cab fare.
• At night, avoid dark and isolated intersections or stops.

Fire Safety

·         Do not use water to extinguish electric fire.

·         Do not be absent-minded while using heating/electrical equipment.

·         Keep extinguisher at reach.

·         Make sure you have good ventilation and an exit/mustard point.

·         Discard your lighters carefully.

·         Do not store flammables around you.

·         Reduce conversation while cooking, boiling, baking or sterilizing food.

Additional Information For Women.

·         To do not dress to attract harassment.

·         Be careful of your words and who you send them to.

·         Do not walk or stay alone especially in the night.

·         Keep emergency numbers at your reach.

Thanks for reading and we wish you a successful service year.