This is a reminder that, while our communities are generally safe, crime can occur anywhere, and we need to remain vigilant and situationally aware. 

Please keep in mind steps you can take to optimize your personal security at your clinical sites:

• When seeing patients – If a patient is agitated or appears angry, ask for support from your preceptor, nursing staff or security. Pay attention to signs that a patient could potentially be physically aggressive and do not see a patient alone in that situation.
• Safewalk - Each hospital provides the option of Security staff accompanying you to your car – call Security via switchboard at the hospital to arrange a safe walk to your car. The USask campus in Saskatoon also offers a Safewalk program through USSU.  Virtual Safewalk is available province-wide through the USAFE app. 
• Parking – Don’t leave valuables in your car when parked.  Parking options vary depending on your clinical site- if you are not sure what is available at your site, please contact your Administrative Coordinator. 

For more safety and security tips related to each site, please continue reading below. 

COVID-19 and Influenza immunization helps protect you, your family and friends, and your patients from illness. For many out-of-province electives, these vaccinations will be required.  You can get both shots at once at most locations.

• Respiratory Illness and COVID-19 Protocols
• Immunization and Serology Requirements for Medical Students

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) takes the safety of patients, their family members, visitors and staff very seriously.

Please be reminded of the following personal security measures to protect your own safety and the safety of others:  

• Look around before entering a space, before leaving your workplace or exiting your vehicle.
• Don’t take shortcuts.  Avoid dark locations, alleys, parks, or other places where people may hide.
• If you encounter an unsafe environment, leave immediately and get to a place of safety, then call Protective Services and/or the police as necessary.
• Always walk with your head up and scan your environment continuously.  Avoid texting or talking on your cell phone as that distracts you from your surroundings.  Walk at a steady pace with confidence.
• Never engage with anyone who makes you feel unsafe.  If you find yourself approached by a suspicious person or faced with demands, ensure you comply with the demands and do not attempt to resist in any way.  Once you move to a safe and secure location call the police immediately.  Whenever possible take note of important information such as the suspect’s description and the last known direction of travel. Please report any unusual or suspicious activity directly to Protective Services at the time it is occurring.
• Safety in numbers.  Use the “buddy” system whenever possible. 

This information applies to all learning activities in areas that may be effected by wildfires, including the MD program Community Experience and Rural FM rotations and electives.  It is also relevant for Physician rural Externship Program (PREP) placements and Global Health Certificate Placements.

1. Before you travel to your placement:
   • Review the UGME Inclement Weather Policy for general advice.
   • Review the SK Public Safety Agency website for up to date information about fires. If on a placement in an area where there may be fires, regularly check this site for updates.
   • Register with SaskAlerts to get alerts on your phone.
   • If you will be in a community that may be affected by wildfires, please provide a current cell phone # to your program administrator. UGME will mainly communicate via your USask email, but having a cell phone to reach you may be useful in some situations.

2. If you have a planned placement and the community you are going to is not affected by wildfires, please plan to proceed with your placement and:
   • Be prepared to make alternate arrangements on short notice. 
   • Check on road conditions with SK Highway Hotline before travelling to your placement.
   • Ensure you have a full tank of gas when travelling.

3. If you have a planned placement and the area or community you are going to is affected by wildfires, but not on evacuation order or alert, please plan to proceed with your placement and:
   • Check with your placement preceptor/supervisor and program administrator whether they are still able to accommodate you
   • Check on road conditions with SK Highway Hotline before travelling to your placement.
   • Ensure you have a full tank of gas when travelling.
   • If you do not feel comfortable participating in the placement, please let your program administrator know and alternatives may be explored.

4. If you have a planned placement and the area or community you are going to is affected by wildfires AND the community is on evacuation order or alert:
   • contact your placement preceptor/supervisor and program administrator to confirm the placement is cancelled
   • contact your relevant program administrator/relevant faculty leads (Community Experience Director/ Rotation Director) to explore if alternate arrangements can be made

5. If you are already on a placement and the community is put on evaluation alert:
   • have a grab and go bag packed
   • be ready to evacuate on short notice
   • communicate regularly with your local preceptor/supervisor about any changes to the situation, and follow their instructions
   • If you do not feel comfortable remaining in the community, notify your preceptor and program administrator and check the SK Highway Hotline before travelling out of the community

6. If you are already on a placement and the community is ordered to evacuate:
   • Follow all directions from officials and evacuate using the route they've identified.  Complete evacuation registration. Once safe to do so, please contact your preceptor/supervisor and program administrator as well as the UGME program (Year administrator) to update us on your location and safety.

If the air quality is poor due to wildfire smoke:

• Stay indoors and keep the air clean (windows/doors closed, no smoking, no burning fireplaces/candles/incense, no vacuuming)
• When in a vehicle, keep windows closed with air conditioning set to recirculate.
• Reduce time spent outdoors and avoid vigorous outdoor activities.
• People living with asthma or other chronic health conditions should ensure they have an adequate supply of inhalers/medication and follow their asthma action plans.
• High-quality, portable air cleaners that use HEPA filtration can effectively remove smoke particles from the indoor air. People with respiratory conditions should consider purchasing HEPA filtration units.
• Visit places with controlled air supply, such as shopping malls, swimming pools, or public libraries.
• Only call 9-1-1 during an emergency, such as if someone is having difficulties breathing or is in cardiovascular distress.

Supports:

Please note that in the event that you need to evacuate from a clinical placement, UGME will notify the Office of Student Affairs to reach out and offer you supports.  Please also feel free to contact OSA directly for supports at any time. 

Contacts:

Community Experience: 

• Bailey Edelman, Program Administrator
• Dr. Olukayode Olutunfese, CE Director

Global Health Certificate:

• Carlyn Seguin, Program Administrator

Clerkship Rotations:

• See contacts

Electives:

• Shari Smith, Electives Coordinator
• Dr. Ashley Selvig, Year 4 Chair

UGME Year Administrators:

• See contacts

The purpose of the UGME Inclement Weather Policy is to prescribe college-level standards for actions required when inclement weather or natural disasters force changes to pre-clerkship and clerkship activities. 

Regarding travel: If travel is not recommended due to inclement weather, or if the student does not feel safe travelling for any other reason, they should not travel and should advise relevant program staff as soon as possible. Those situations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

• UGME Inclement Weather Policy

If you receive any emails that you suspect is fraudulent, please do not click on any links. Make sure to forward the email to IT Support at: phishing@usask.ca.

• More Information on Cyber Security