NASA Employee Safety Update
NASA UPDATE
NASA
Keith’s note: the following message from Message from Charles Lombard, NASA Assistant Administrator for Protective Services was sent to all NASA employees this afternoon:
From: HQ-NASA-INC
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 13:04
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: A Message from Charles Lombard, Assistant Administrator for Protective Services
NASA Team Members
Our most valuable asset at NASA are our people. That’s why the Office of Protective Services is deeply committed to ensuring your safety and wellbeing. Our mission extends beyond providing protection and security within a NASA facility, we are here to serve and support whether you’re traveling for business, out for lunch, or are away from the office.
Agencywide, our OPS teams are focused on ensuring you have courses, resources, and programs to aid in your safety both in and out of the workplace, including counterintelligence briefings for foreign travelers, the NASA SAFE Application, and the Surviving an Armed Violent Encounter (SAVE) interactive training program, just to name a few.
I invite you to visit the agency OPS website or your center OPS website for more information on these and other resources available to you.
It is often said your body cannot go where your mind has never been – and our SAVE course can help prepare you for the unforeseen. Our interactive training program is a combination of classroom and hands-on training on how to recognize early warning signs – and how to react during a violent situation. Being prepared and calm in stressful situations can save your life and prevent injury.
The NASA SAFE Application also offers much more than center status it brings features you can use day-to-day. Features like Friend Walk, a powerful tool that allows you to temporarily share your location with a friend so that they know you made it safely to your destination or trigger an emergency call, if necessary.
I’d also like to remind you that personal safety begins with awareness. Always stay mindful of your surroundings — whether you’re walking down the street, attending a social gathering, traveling, or simply at home.
Below are a few best practices:
Trust your instincts. If it doesn’t look or feel right, it probably isn’t right.
Give the impression that you are calm, confident, and know where you are going.
Avoid the look of being alone, unaware of surroundings, confused or lost.
Avoid distractions like excessive phone and headphone use that can take away your attention.
When walking, especially at night, choose well-lit, populated areas.
If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation and seek help if necessary.
Maintaining a healthy level of caution when interacting with strangers. Whether it’s in taxis, hotels, or while exploring the city.
Avoid displaying expensive items like jewelry, cameras, or large sums of money that could make you a target for theft.
Keep belongings close and never leave them unattended, particularly in public spaces like airports, train stations, or cafes.
Keep government credentials out of sight when in public areas.
Social media posts should not include your itinerary. Refrain from Geotagging.
Be cognizant of apparel and logos that may cause unwanted attention.
When on travel schedule regular check-ins with a loved one or co-worker.
Have a basic understanding of emergency procedures.
Lastly, if you see something suspicious, please say something. Report any suspicious activity to the closest center Protective Services Office. If it occurs outside of a NASA facility, please notify state or local law enforcement. No matter how insignificant it may seem to you at the time, notifying someone can potentially minimize impact to you, your loved ones, and the entire NASA family.
Thank you for all you continue to do, and please stay safe and vigilant.
Charles Lombard
Assistant Administrator for Protective Services