Shift set up description

Step 1: Early Staff Clocking In

Early operations staff arrive at the SafeRide office no later than 8:00pm but clock in no earlier than 7:55pm.

Step 2: Gather Equipment / Equipment Check

Check that the orange backpacks have the following equipment: 

Front pocket- battery pack, tire pressure gauge, FM tuner, Aux cord, and dongle.

Main pocket- radio, navigation iPad, safer sex items.

Check that the following items are bought along for the shift: keys

Step 3: Waldo Walk

Go out as a group to the transport vehicle parked at the Waldo spot.

Step 4: Oldfield Drive

Take the transport vehicle to the other vehicles parked at the Oldfield Lot.

Step 5: Check Out

Each person will set up a vehicle with its safer sex stations and perform the Check Out form. During the Check Out form, ensure to walk around the vehicle ensuring there are no damages.

Step 6: SEC Drive

Early operations staff drive back to the Student Experience Center (SEC) before 8:30pm. 

Step 7: Late Staff Clocking In

Late operations staff arrive at the SafeRide office no later than 8:25pm but clock in no earlier than 8:20pm. 

Step 8: Communicate

Communicate with the Nightly Ops Leader (NOL), letting them know you are at the SEC. The late shift staffer will come outside with the topper and meet you in the vehicle. Decide who is driving and navigating–inform the NOL via radio.

Step 9: Start Service

At 8:30pm our service starts.

Shift breakdown description:

Step 1: Return to the SEC & Drop Off

After each vehicle's last call, the vehicle will return to the SEC. Once they arrive at the SEC the vehicle team will clean the vehicle and check for any items left behind. The early shift will head into the SEC with the topper, portable charger, safer sex station items, and the backpack once cleaning is complete.

Step 2: Early Shift – Equipment Check / Clock Out

Driver 1/Early Driver will enter the SEC. Staff are expected to properly handle equipment when putting it away. The topper will be hung on the magnetic charging station and plugged into a charger and backpacks with condoms will be hung on the wall. You will know the topper is charging when a red light comes on. The Early Driver may now communicate with the NOL ensuring that everything is put away correctly. The NOL will excuse early staff to go home one at a time. 

Step 2: Oldfield Drive / Check In

Late shift will go to the Oldfield lot with the navigation iPad and radio. The late shift will then check the vehicle back in for the night. During the Check In form, ensure to walk around the vehicle ensuring there are no damages.

Step 3: Transport Back

The transport vehicle will bring the late shift staff to Waldo parking spot after all rides have been completed. Staff commute to SEC together by foot, ensuring communication with the NOL to open the SEC door.

Step 4: Secure Equipment 

Give vehicle keys to the NOL before entering into the SafeRide office. Staff are expected to properly handle equipment when putting it away. iPads will be plugged into the respective charger (labeled) THEN turned off. Radios will be placed in the charging station. 

Step 5: Clock Out

Once all of your supplies are put away and the NOL makes sure everything is in its place, you may clock out and go home.

We use a variety of equipment during our service. Check out the list and descriptions below:

Accident Report Packets– Bright orange packet in each vehicle. Should you get into an accident, these forms will need to be filled out. If you use a packet, please replace it with a new packet. 

Blue Bins– There are two blue bins in each vehicle. One by the Driver/Navigator and another in the back of the vehicle.  

Charging Cart– We use a Griffin charging cart to power up our iPads and battery packs.  It is very important to make sure everything is properly plugged in at the end of the shift. If any of the cords or ports stop working please submit an IR so it can be fixed. 

Dispatch Computer– There is one computer station in the office that is designated for dispatch. They will use the computer to input ride requests that are called in over the phone into Via.  

iPads– Navigators will utilize an iPad to track their ride itinerary. Navigators manage rides and help to direct the Driver where to go. There is also an iPad for our advertising program. Ad iPads are placed in a holder strapped onto the back of the Navigator seat. 

Keys- Each vehicle has a set of keys. The keys will have a key chain that denotes which vehicle it belongs to, in addition to contact information for the leadership team. 

Magnets– Each vehicle has magnets on the outside of the doors. They are placed on by a Facilitator. The magnets do not need to be taken off between shifts. 

Radio– To keep up good communication between vehicles and the office, we utilize radios. There are three stations, SafeRide 1, SafeRide 2 and SafeRide All. Generally, folks will be on SafeRide 1. 

Leadership Computer– There is also a computer for the Leaders to track operations for the night.

Vehicle Topper– Light up magnetic car topper to help indicate to our riders of our vehicles. There are enough toppers for each vehicle. MOBO does not use a topper.  

Direct Calls

If you need to have a private conversation with someone, meaning you don’t want to tempt someone to swap over to channel 2 and overhear, then you can make a direct call. See the screenshots below to get a sense of how to make a direct call. You can call the Nightly Operations Leader via Direct call by dialing 0 or 9.

Messaging on Radios

All of the radios have a messaging function that allows you to send messages to other radios. There is no circumstance when messaging other vehicles are necessary, so the use of this function is prohibited. If you need to reach someone privately you can use SafeRide 2, direct calling, or send them a Slack message.

The Navigator is responsible for the radio and iPad to efficiently organize incoming calls. Through experience, drivers and navigators will become familiar with the streets of Corvallis. 

In the vehicle, please maintain professional communication with the riders. Make sure to greet the riders, have light conversation, and then leave them with a departing message. The small talk conversations goes a long way towards maintaining good customer service with our riders! If a rider does not want to talk to you, you do not have to force it. A brief hello, how are you, will suffice. Please do not ignore or leave out a rider who does want to engage in conversation! Here are some examples of phrases and conversation topics. 

Vehicle Greetings

• • "Hello! Can you please confirm your name for me?" 

  • "Great, and there are (number) of you?" Or "great, thank you" for single person rides.

  • If it is not your rider, radio to the Leader to see how far away their vehicle is. 

  • If you know you were late, thank them for their patience.

  • "Can everyone put on their seat belt?" OR "Thank you for wearing your seat belt." (DO NOT leave until you have confirmed everyone has put on a seat belt).

Mid-Ride

• • "How is your night going?"

  • "How was your day?"

  • "Any plans for the weekend?"

  • "Are you feeling alright?" (if you see that someone might not feel well)

  • "How are midterms / finals going?" 

Vehicle Closing

• • "Go Beavs!"

  • "Thank you for using SafeRide!"

  • "Have a good night!"

  • "Hope you do well on your test/project/paper!"

  • "Good luck on midterms/finals!"

Topics to avoid

• • Politics

  • Religion

  • Money

  • Sex or Dating

  • Others Appearances

  • Mental Health

  • Sexual Assault

  • Other staff or riders

We avoid these topics because it is hard to know each rider’s life experiences. Talking about some of these things can have negative impacts and make a rider not want to use our service in the future. If a rider tries to engage with you around a topic you feel is not appropriate, simply state that it is a conversation best had at another time but you can talk about something else!