SECTION : 109.03 RULES & REGULATIONS

SAFE PLACE

PROCEDURES

Revised 2/1/09 1

PURPOSE: To provide step-by-step instructions to assist a youth in crisis. SCOPE: All personnel. PROCEDURES:

1. “Project Safe Place” provides easy access to Youth Villages Runaway Shelter services through a network of local business and organizations in Memphis & Shelby County. “Safe Place” is the Mid South's only emergency shelter specifically serving runaway and homeless teens that need help fast.

2. Children have always looked to the fire department for help. The Division of Fire Services is committed to the “Safe Place” project by providing a location and resource that protects youth in crisis. All Memphis Fire stations have been listed as safe havens for this project.

3. All stations shall display “Safe Place” signs in a location visible to the public. The procedures for contacting Youth Villages shall be placed in an area near the watch desk for immediate use.

4. A youth may not ask for help immediately, but may just stand around and wait

for you to speak first. Any youth asking the following questions may be looking for help:

Is this a safe place? Can you help me? What does that sign mean?

5. If you encounter a youth seeking assistance, contact the Alarm Office and place the company “out of service”.

6. If the situation is an emergency situation, call the POLICE. 7. Get a general idea of what is wrong. Be supportive, but do not go into detail

about the problem. Show the youth where to sit and wait for the Safe Place member.

SECTION : 109.03 RULES & REGULATIONS

SAFE PLACE

PROCEDURES

Revised 2/1/09 2

8. If you have no emergency, call the (901) 276-SAFE. Identify yourself and your location, giving the address and phone number. Give the youth’s name if you have it and a physical description. The Safe Place staff will give you the name and identification number of the person who will come and meet the youth. ETA for representatives is generally 15-20 minutes.

9. Tell the youth that someone will be there shortly and remind them to wait in

the designated area. The youth shall not be left unattended while in the fire station.

10. Check on the youth every few minutes and show support without getting into

the specifics of the situation. 11. Make sure the youth waits inside the building in the designated area. 12. When the volunteer/staff arrives, ask to see the Safe Place identification. If

there is any discrepancy or question, call the Safe Place agency back. Do not allow the youth to meet or go with anyone who has not been verified.

13. After the volunteer has escorted the youth from your “Safe Place” site, record

the volunteer’s name, your name, the time and date of incident in the Station log.