When we go out doing street outreach, we try to stay tuned in to the concept of ‘situational awareness.’ It is is the ability to perceive what’s happening around you, understanding what it means, and anticipating what could happen so we can remain safe and free from danger.
There are times when doing outreach when we might have as many as four volunteers with us or as few as one. Oftentimes, it might end up being the later depending on the availability of our volunteers when we go out, which is usually in the early morning on weekdays because that’s when our services are needed the most.
In such instances when we are understaffed, we try to work with people we’re experienced with and understand the safety risks. If it is too risky we avoid the situation.
The key to effective situational awareness is staying alert, making smart decisions, and avoiding danger.
Our outreach has safety protocols in place and we try to ensure that they are followed. Our safety guidelines include a guide on how to recognize certain drugs and their affects on the people that we seek to help.