H.E.A.T. Training

Practical and theoretical programmes in Hostile Environments Awareness Training (H.E.A.T.) for Journalists & Aid Workers.

H.E.A.T. awareness training

Managing security is not an end in itself. The primary concern is to be able to deliver humanitarian assistance or high-class journalism in an impartial manner, which may require establishing and maintaining a presence in highly insecure areas. High insecurity jeopardises or impedes the achievement of that goal. 


Security management is a means to an operational end. Security management is about protecting and preserving the lives and wellbeing of staff and partners – and protecting the organisation’s assets, as well as its programmes and reputation. This point holds true from two perspectives:

  • Pragmatically speaking, the temporary or permanent loss of assets or injury of a staff member reduces operational capacity and may lead the organisation to suspend it's operations.
  • Organisations have a duty of care towards their employees and colleagues. While journalism and aid work implies a certain level of risk, organisations need to be sure that all reasonable measures are taken to mitigate this risk.

The legal duty of care of the employer is becoming increasingly important. Many countries have labour laws that impose obligations on employer's to ensure safety in the workplace. Although such obligations have rarely been considered in the context of international aid work, aid and media organisations are open to growing legal challenges if they fail to properly inform their staff about the risks associated with a particular assignment, or fail to take all necessary measures to reduce those risks. Effectively managing security risks is therefore essential from an operational, moral and legal point of view.

Alistair Cole Consulting provides tailor made modular courses for client companies and organisations. This is not designed for the individual client. In order to be ‘security aware’ you must understand the seeds of conflict, how they grow, how they may affect you, and how to respond to threats to your personal safety. If you need to live and work in unfamiliar or unstable environments, security awareness is a vital attribute. By attending our H.E.A.T. Skills Training for Remote Area Personnel - S.T.R.A.P ™ training course the individual’s awareness is heightened and so allows them to make informed assessments of the potential dangers faced, thus minimising risks.


This course has been designed in conjunction with security, exploration and media professionals and is scenario based. All scenarios have been based on the experiences of the training team and our Subject Matter Expert Consultants and offer real time opportunities to learn the latest techniques in a safe environment. There are no prerequisites for this course.


"The course was a great success and was really appreciated by the participants. The content was interesting, comprehensive and relevant; the trainers were passionate and informed about their respective subjects, good-humoured and happy to answer questions. The facilities, training aids and equipment were all appropriate to the course" 

 

Department for International Development


S.T.R.A.P. course content



  • DAY ONE:
    Course Introduction
  • Duty of Care, Corporate Manslaughter and globally, Bribery Act laws
  • Before you go: Planning, information sources, local fixers, and insurance
  • Medico legal: an international context including taking medications overseas and duty to treat (or not) and consent
  • Medical Equipment
  • First Aid Basics
  • Primary Assessment & Airway Management
  • Secondary Assessment
  • Resuscitation
  • Choking
  • Wound Management including catastrophic bleeding, tourniquets, haemostatic agents


DAY TWO:

  • Burn Management
  • Fracture Management
  • Spinal Injuries
  • Shock
  • Common disorders
  • Field Hygiene





DAY THREE:

  • Environmental Injuries (heat and cold)
  • MEDEVAC Protocols
  • Civil Disorder
  • Vehicles - types, safety checklists, equipping vehicles
  • Vehicle Check Points
  • Rapid Vehicle Extrication Scenarios


DAY FOUR:

  • Ballistic Injuries and ballistic awareness, distance, direction, penetrating etc.
  • Risk Assessment
  • Travel safety: transport, personal safety, accommodation safety, fire awareness,
  • Conflict management: body language, diffusing difficult situations.
  • Detention (kidnap awareness and conduct after capture):
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and psychological First Aid Scenarios


DAY FIVE:

  • Communications - equipment and protocols
  • Lost persons protocol/Lost Communications /Failure to return or check in
  • Search and Rescue theory Survival Training 
  • Course Summary & Dispersal
  • 
S.T.R.A.P. Course Content

Modular programmes

All the subjects listed below in italics are available for clients to build their own course contents. Although each subject is listed under a major heading, some are applicable to other areas e.g. Vehicle Security can also be instructed under Vehicle Training as well as Security. The number in parenthesis indicates the number of hours normally required to cover this subject to an acceptable level, although a shorter introductory or longer detailed sessions are both possible.

PLANNING & ANALYSIS

Threat Identification & Risk Assessment (1)

Operational Planning (1)

Country Briefs (1)

Crisis & Incident Management (2)

Logistics Management (3)


ARREST & DETENTION

Hostage Negotiation (3)

Hostage Awareness Training (3)

Conduct After Capture (3)


VEHICLE TRAINING

4x4 Vehicle Training (6)

Vehicle Maintenance (3)

Improvised Vehicle Recovery (3)


HEAT Training Video
HEAT Training Brochure Download

SECURITY

Movement & Vehicle Security (3)

Civil Disturbance (2)

Personal & Group Security (including Gender Issues) (3)

Building Security (2)

Mines & Mine Awareness (2)

Aviation Safety (1)

Urban Disturbances (2)


MEDICAL & FIRST AID

Battlefield First Aid (16)

Environmental Injuries (1)

Basic First Aid & Life Support (6)

Ballistic Wounding Awareness (2)

Stress Psychology (1)

CBRN (WMD) First Aid (16)


ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING

Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Training (16)

Jungle Training (16)

Desert Training (16)

Arctic Training (16)

Working with Helicopters (1)

Navigation (16)

Remote Area Survival (16)

Community Relations & Working with Security Forces (2)


"The Hostile Environments Course is a great week of practical scenarios to get your team ready for the field. From being held hostage to catastrophic bleeding scenarios, the very experienced instructors will make you better prepared for the field! "


Hostile Environment Course for scientists working in Central America