Civil Unrest Safety Precautions

by | Jun 1, 2020 | Frontpage Article, Leadership, Public Safety, Wellness

Civil Unrest Safety Precautions

by

Chief Sam DiGiovanna


Photo Courtesy of Landon Jensen




Please review and share this important advice on staying safe during civil unrest (originally published here).

How to Stay Safe While Traveling

  • Keep abreast of current news and request regular updates if you are in a volatile area.
  • If you hear that a demonstration is taking place, avoid the area or stay in your accommodation until you are sure that it’s safe to go out.
  • Before you go out, establish where the demonstration has taken place, and if possible avoid the area.
  • If you come across a demonstration, don’t become inquisitive, just leave the area and find another route to your intended destination.
  • Should you need to go to an area which experiences a lot of demonstrations, try not to go alone. Where possible take someone with you and operate as a team looking out for each other. Keep close and maintain visual contact.
  • Avoid any place where police or security force action is in progress.

 

How to Survive a Protest

  • If you find yourself caught up in a protest or riot keep to the edge of the crowd where it is safest. Try not to be identified as one of the demonstrators by keeping well away from the leaders/agitators.
  • At the first opportunity break away and seek refuge in a nearby building, or find a suitable doorway or alley and stay there until the crowd passes.
  • When leaving the fringe of the demonstration just walk away – don’t run as this will draw attention to you.
  • In the event that you are arrested by the police/military, do not resist. Go along peacefully.
  • If you are caught up in the crowd, stay clear of glass shop fronts, stay on your feet and move with the flow.
  • If you are swept along in the crush, create a space for yourself by grasping your wrists and bracing your elbows away from your sides; bend over slightly – this should allow you breathing room.
  • If pushed to the ground, try to get against a wall and roll yourself into a tight ball and cover your head with your hands until the crowd passes.
  • Remember to keep calm – the crowd should sweep past in a short space of time.
  • If shooting breaks out, drop to the ground and cover your head and neck, and lie as flat as you can.

 

Accommodation Safety Tips

Here’s what to do if a protest or riot has broken out while you are at your hotel, guesthouse, apartment or home stay:

  • Do not leave the accommodation or go into the street.
  • On hearing gunfire or explosions outside, stay away from the windows. Do not be tempted to watch the activity from your window. Draw the curtains or blinds to prevent shards of broken glass entering.
  • If you are in premises which have doors or windows opening on to the road side of the property, ensure that all windows and external doors are closed and locked.
  • Sleep in an inside room which will provide greater protection from gunfire, rocks or grenades.
  • If a demonstration is taking place outside your hotel, liaise with hotel management to keep updated on the situation outside the hotel.

 

Trapped in a Car During Civil Unrest

  • Never drive through a crowd.
  • If you find yourself in the path of a crowd, turn down the nearest side road, reverse or turn around and drive away calmly.
  • If you cannot drive away, park the car, lock it and leave it, taking shelter in a side street or doorway.
  • If you don’t have time for this, stop and turn the engine off. Lock the doors and remain calm. Be sure not to show hostility or anger.

 

What to Do After Civil Unrest

  • If it is unsafe to stay where you are seek a place of safety in a less volatile area.
  • If you have suffered injury, seek medical assistance. Report any loss or damage to your property to the police.
  • Report your situation or whereabouts to family/friends/business associates.
  • Report incidents to local police and obtain a report reference. Where applicable, report and claim on insurance.

Be Safe.

-Chief Sam DiGiovanna





About Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Sam DiGiovanna is a 33-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as fire chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale, Calif.