SAFER Awareness

SAFER Situational Awareness

SAFER is a framework for maintaining awareness during rapid response activities. Use it continuously when you’re in the field.

The SAFER Framework

S - Scan

Continuously scan your environment.

Look for:

• New vehicles arriving
• Agents moving or changing position
• Other people approaching
• Changes in activity level
• Potential exits
• Potential hazards

How to scan effectively:

• Don’t fixate on one thing
• Regularly sweep your view
• Look near AND far
• Check behind you periodically
• Notice what’s changed since last scan

A - Assess

Evaluate what you observe.

Ask yourself:

• Is this situation escalating or de-escalating?
• What are the agents doing?
• Who is at risk?
• What resources do I have?
• What is my current risk level?

Threat assessment:

• Low threat: Surveillance only, no enforcement
• Medium threat: Multiple agents, active observation
• High threat: Enforcement action in progress

Resource assessment:

• Who else is here?
• What communication do I have?
• What documentation tools do I have?
• What’s my exit strategy?

F - Find Exits

Always know your escape routes.

Identify:

• Nearest walking exit
• Direction to your vehicle (if applicable)
• Alternative routes if primary is blocked
• Safe destinations (businesses, transit, etc.)

Exit planning:

• Note exits when you arrive
• Update as situation changes
• Have a backup if primary is compromised
• Know where your team is

E - Engage (Cautiously)

Decide how to engage with the situation.

Options:

• Observe only - Watch from a distance
• Document - Record video/audio
• Report - Send information to admin
• Support - Assist community members
• Withdraw - Leave the area

Engagement factors:

• What is needed right now?
• What is safe to do?
• What is within my role?
• What helps vs. what hinders?

R - Respond

Take appropriate action.

Possible responses:

• Send a report/update
• Move to a better position
• Continue documenting
• Alert others
• Leave the area
• Assist someone

Response principles:

• Stay within your role
• Stay within legal limits
• Communicate with your team
• Prioritize safety

SAFER in Practice

Example: Arriving at a Scene

S - Scan: You arrive at reported location. You see one white van, two agents standing outside, no enforcement activity visible.

A - Assess: Appears to be surveillance. Low-medium threat. You have phone for documentation, teammate is 5 minutes away.

F - Find Exits: You’re on foot. Nearest cross street is behind you. Coffee shop on corner could provide cover if needed.

E - Engage: Decide to observe and document from across the street. Not approaching closer.

R - Respond: Send SALUTE report to admin. Begin recording video.

Example: Situation Escalating

S - Scan: Third vehicle arrives. Agents are putting on tactical vests. One agent is speaking into radio.

A - Assess: Threat level increasing. This may become active enforcement. More resources arriving for them, your backup is still 3 minutes away.

F - Find Exits: Primary exit still clear. Secondary route through alley also clear.

E - Engage: Continue documenting from current position. Alert admin of escalation.

R - Respond: Send update: “Escalating. 3rd vehicle arrived. Agents gearing up. May be about to move.”

Example: Time to Leave

S - Scan: Agents have noticed you. One is walking in your direction. Others are focused on the building.

A - Assess: Your safety may be compromised. Documentation is good enough. Time to leave.

F - Find Exits: Agent is between you and primary exit. Secondary exit through alley is clear.

E - Engage: Disengage. Leave via secondary route.

R - Respond: Stop recording, pocket phone, walk calmly toward alley exit. Message admin: “Agent approached, leaving via secondary. Safe.”

SAFER Timing

Continuous vs. Periodic

Continuous:

• Scan (always watching)
• Find exits (awareness maintained)

Periodic:

• Assess (every few minutes or when things change)
• Engage/Respond (when decisions are needed)

When to Run SAFER Explicitly

• When you first arrive somewhere
• When something changes
• When you feel uneasy
• Every 5-10 minutes minimum
• Whenever you’re uncertain

Common SAFER Mistakes

Not Scanning Enough

• Problem: Tunnel vision on one thing
• Solution: Force yourself to look around every 30 seconds

Not Reassessing

• Problem: Situation changed but you didn’t notice
• Solution: Reassess whenever ANYTHING changes

Not Knowing Exits

• Problem: Danger comes and you don’t know where to go
• Solution: Identify exits first thing, update continuously

Over-Engaging

• Problem: Getting too close, too involved
• Solution: Ask “Is this within my role? Is this safe?”

Not Responding to Assessment

• Problem: You assessed increased danger but didn’t act
• Solution: Trust your assessment, respond appropriately

SAFER with Your Team

Coordinated Awareness

• Different people can cover different angles
• Share observations in real-time
• One person can focus on documentation while another scans
• Discuss exits and meet-up points before separating

Communication

Quick SAFER updates:

“Scanning clear, same as before.” “Assessment: escalating. Two more vehicles.” “Exit check: alley blocked by van now.” “Engaging: moving to better angle.” “Responding: backing off, heading to meet point.”

Practice Exercise

Mental SAFER Drill

Practice running SAFER anywhere:

1. At a coffee shop
2. At a community event
3. Walking down the street
4. In a parking lot

Run through all five letters. It should become automatic.

Team SAFER Drill

With your team:

1. Go to a location
2. Each person runs SAFER independently
3. Compare notes
4. What did people notice that others missed?

Quick Reference

Letter	Question	Action
S	What do I see?	Look around continuously
A	What does it mean?	Evaluate threat and resources
F	How do I get out?	Know your exits
E	What should I do?	Choose appropriate engagement
R	Now do it	Take action