PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY
Each Country Office should conduct a comprehensive security assessment and develop and implement a security strategy and general safety and security policies and procedures. However, every CARE staff member must view safety and security as an individual responsibility and not depend solely on the Country
Office’s procedures. A staff member will gain a greater sense of security and selfconfidence by preparing ahead for a potential incident.
This chapter provides general safety and security guidelines that individual
CARE staff 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 chapter requires resourcefulness and vigilance. It is hoped that by applying these measures within a framework of the Country Office security strategy, CARE staff can prevent safety and security incidents from ever occurring. When they do occur, the wellprepared staff member can take quick and decisive action to minimize the likelihood of injury or damage. This chapter provides information on:
Situational Awareness
Building Community Relations
General Security Guidelines
Criminal Activity
Walking
Public Transportation
Vehicle Safety and Security
Additional Considerations for Women
Family Members
Fire and Electrical Safety
Office and Residences
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CHAPTER 4: PERSONAL SAFETY & SECURITY
4.1
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Developing situational awareness by examining surroundings 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.
Situational awareness in its