Overview

Increasingly, humanitarian workers are exposed to insecure environments due to lawlessness, political instability and armed conflict, so there is a compelling need for them to be adequately prepared for any dangers they may encounter.  All field workers should be proficient in establishing and maintaining telecommunications, whether working in a safe or hostile situation. Conscious of the varying needs within the sector, RedR endeavours to address the concerns of a range of organizations.  These include relief, development and advocacy organizations, operational agencies and agencies that are not directly operational but provide support to community based organisations and national NGOs.

The course introduces what is a standard and recognised approach to managing security within the sector.  It is important for everyone to have grounding in the concepts and principles underlying this approach as agencies develop their security policies and practices.  The course provides an overview of individual and team risk management. This covers different contexts, adopting appropriate strategies, the development of security plans and procedures, and responding to incidents when they occur.  An important element of the course is the operation and use of communications equipment, risk assessment of dangerous operating environment and personal safety coping mechanism.

Aims & objectives

The course aim is to enhance the ability of participants to perform their role safely and effectively in the field.  Particular emphasis is made of the importance recognising the different mandates of organisations and the particular roles that individuals play as it relates to personal and team security.

Key objectives are that by the end of the course participants should be able to:

·        Explain the importance of understanding individual roles and the security environment.

·        Describe measures to reduce personal and team vulnerability to a range of threats.

·        Operate information and communications equipment in an effective and safe manner.  

 Audience

The Personal Security & Communications course is designed for people from all professional backgrounds and disciplines, and is open to all RedR Canada Register members, individuals and aid agency staff wanting to learn about personal security issues and the team implications.  More experienced individuals and aid agency staff, and staff based in a head office who carry out monitoring visits to the field seeking to consolidate and build on existing skills and knowledge will also benefit from this training, as the course provides a unique opportunity to enhance their skills, gain fresh insights and share practical experience with others.

Course outline

·        International Context

·        Image & Acceptance

·        Road Blocks & Vehicle Security

·        Weapons Awareness

·        Communications Equipment

·        Communications Procedures

·        Navigation Equipment and procedures

·        Search & Interrogation

·        Team and Personnel Security

·        Evacuation

·        Passive Security

·        Hostage & Arrest

·        Culture & Personal Responsibility

·        Security Management

* It should be noted that this course can be extremely confronting to participants and is physically demanding. Participants are given due warning of this and are expected to recognise this warning on application to the course.

Selection criteria

As places are limited priority is also given to those applicants who:

·        are RedR Canada Register members or applicants

·        currently work for an operational NGO

·        intend to be deployed within 6 months of completing the course.

The course is in English and a reasonable proficiency is required for by participants.

Given the physical nature of the course physical fitness is should also be considered as self selection criteria.