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YOUR SAFETY MATTERS:A look at situational awareness

• Review situations that lone workers found

themselves in.

• Recognize the “Conditions of the Mind.”

• Take a look at situational awareness.

• Pre-Plan for bad things.

• Look at vehicle positioning.

• Active Shooter

Objectives

• 2004 Johnson County, KS -

Social Worker killed visiting client.

• 2011 KC Transitional Living for youth home visit, Social Worker choked.

• 2013 Father sets house on fire after Child Services Worker

arrives.• 2015 Mom looses custody of

child and kills Family Services

Worker.

Lone Worker Safety

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• Workers were dealing with family related

issues.

• Children involved.

• Attackers blamed workers.

• Did not identify the threat?

Common Theme?

DON’T BE A ROBOT

CONDITIONS OF THE MIND

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Conditions of the

Mind

• Intuition

• Verbal De-Escalation• Environmental

• Plan, Plan, Plan

Situational

Awareness

EMOTIONS

• You are dealing with human beings, always remember that any type of reaction is possible, you have no way to predict what will happen.

• The right stress, emotion and event may cause a person to act completely out of character.

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BEHAVIOR

• People’s behavior is controlled by logic and reason – to a point.

• Supercharged emotion can over-ride reason and logic resulting in erratic behavior.

• Circumstances you find routine may put someone else in a “survival” or retaliation mode.

FLIGHT OR FIGHT

NATURAL INSTINCT

• Every person has a natural instinct called “Flight or Fight”.

• Think of the last time something seriously frightened you without warning.

• You likely turned your body away from the threat source and may have actually started to physically move away without even thinking.

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DANGER RADAR

• The “danger radar” is reliable and should not be ignored.

• It is likely at some point in your career you will engage a person who is escalating towards some type of violet action.

• It is more important for you to have a basic understanding of how to read and react to potentially dangerous situations as well as how to regain control

INTUITION

• Be aware of your surroundings and the activity around you.

• Do not allow yourself to become distracted. Have a plan in mind if you need to react quickly.

• Play the “What If” game & TRUST YOUR INTUITION. Pay attention to your instincts.

• Error on the safe side. Report and document all your concerns

ENVIRONMENTAL

• Take a look at furniture look for “natural” barriers.

• Be aware of escape routes and exits.

• Look for weapons, drugs, or other dangers.

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PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

• Anticipate potential for crisis.

• Know your client’s triggers.

• Be aware and trust your instincts. Communicate with others.

• Have a plan in mind in case of the need for a quick response.

• Sometimes you just know something is

wrong

• Do you have a plan?

• Does anyone know where you are?

• Have you identified escape routes/exits?

Honoring your

instincts!

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PERSONAL SAFETY

• Do not be a victim

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times

• Be prepared to leave the area, have a plan

• If there are drugs in the house, don’t stay

• If you feel threatened in any way, don’t stay

• Providers, be proactive with safety complaints of the aides/attendants.

• If you are not getting along with your client, let the provider know.

WHEN YOU ARE WITH YOUR CLIENT

• Do not get into a shouting match with your client

• Do not argue with your client

• Nothing good will come of it.

• If you need to call the Police, call them. Your safety is important

• Let the company know of any concerns. Providers, be attentive to the concerns.

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• Have a plan

• Where did you park?

• Did you identify exits?

• Have you identified • potential hazards?

• Key/Cell phone management?

• Can you try de-escalation?

If Violence

erupts…

VERBAL DE-ESCALATION

• Do not point or shake your finger.

• Try not to smile. Do not touch.

• Keep your hands out of pockets and ready to defend. Do not argue or try to convince.

• Don’t be judgmental.

• Suggest alternatives or give choices. If techniques aren’t working, end the conversation.

DE-ESCALATION SUGGESTIONS• Do not panic, stay calm

• Talk with a slow steady voice.

• Keep your voice low. People will stop and try to hear what you are saying.

• Be aware of situations that can cause verbal or physical altercations

• Withdraw, make an excuse to leave the area

• Change topics

• Compromise

• Instead of telling someone what to do, ask them to do it first and then explain why you need them to do what you are asking them to do.

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VERBAL INTERVENTIONS

• Give a rational response

• Stick to the topic (redirect)

• Ignore the challenge (Not the person)

• Set limits if persists

• Set clear, simple, reasonable, and enforceable limits

• State directives by starting with positive comments first

• Allow person time to process request/directive

VERBAL INTERVENTIONS

• Allow them to let off steam, if possible

• Remove audience from the area

• When person begins to calm down, state directives that are non-threatening

• Use understanding approach

• Be prepared to enforce limits that were set

DE-ESCALATION

• The tactics are non-physical and used to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating.

• When a possible violent situation threatens to erupt and, there is no weapon involved verbal de-escalation techniques are appropriate

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• Drive by the location to make sure everything looks okay.

• Try to avoid driveways.

• Try not to park across from the home.

• Consider parking a few houses away.

• Avoid alleys, dark areas, busy roadways.

• Always have your keys in your hands when walking to your car.

Vehicle Positioning

WHAT TO LOOK/LISTEN FOR

• When pulling into the parking lot/neighborhood, look around to see who is hanging around and what the atmosphere seems to be. Note at least two (if possible) exits and entrances to parking

• When knocking on the door, stand to the side, not in front of it.

• When parking in a parking lot, pull through so you are facing forward and don’t have to back out

• Back your car in and don’t park directly in front of the home/ residence you are visiting.

• Listen outside the door of the home/office for disturbances such as screaming, yelling, or fighting.

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• Drive to a public location where there are other

people.

• Look for a well lit place if after dark.

• Drive to a police or fire station.

• Do not return to your office or home.

What if you are

followed?

PROFILE OF AN ACTIVE SHOOTER

• An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.

• Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly. Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims

• Because active shooter situations are often over within 10 to 15 minutes, before law enforcement arrives on the scene, individuals must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter situation.

GOOD PRACTICES FOR COPING WITH AN ACTIVE

SHOOTER SITUATION• Be aware of your environment and any possible

dangers

• Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit

• If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door

• If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door

• As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her.

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HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY

• RUN• If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the

premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind

• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

• Leave your belongings behind

• Help others escape, if possible

• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be

• Keep your hands visible

• Follow the instructions of any police officers

• Do not attempt to move wounded people

• Call 911 when you are safe

HIDE

• If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.

• Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter’s view

• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)

• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

• To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door

• Blockade the door with heavy furniture

FIGHT

• As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her

• Throwing items and improvising weapons

• Yelling

• Committing to your actions

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IF THE ACTIVE SHOOTER IS NEARBY

• Lock the door

• Silence your cell phone and/or pager

• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)

• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)

• Remain quiet

HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT

ARRIVES

• Law enforcement’s purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

WHEN OFFICERS ARRIVE

• The first officers to arrive to the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.

• Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

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WHAT TO EXPECT

• Officers usually arrive in teams of four (4)

• Officers may wear regular patrol uniforms or external bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets, and other tactical equipment

• Officers may be armed with rifles, shotguns, handguns

• Officers may use pepper spray or tear gas to control the situation

• Officers may shout commands, and may push individuals to the ground for their safety

HOW TO REACT

• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions

• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)

• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers

• Keep hands visible at all times

• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety

• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling

• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

TO SUMMERIZE

• Please be careful

• Know what to do and who to call

• Be prepared, Have that mental plan in place

• If it doesn’t feel right or look right, it probably is not

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Mike Valley, Investigator

• Missouri Medicaid Audit & Compliance

• Michael.Valley@dss.mo.gov

• 573-751-8992

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