The Rory Peck Trust works with a number of training course providers to ensure that freelance journalists have access to affordable safety training in the UK and around the world.
HEFAT training.
Below is a list of the trusted training providers that the Rory Peck Trust works with. Some offer freelancers referred by the Trust a reduced rate while others offer specially discounted courses at select times of the year.
AKE
Dovehills
Bishops Frome
Herefordshire
WR6 5BQ
Tel: +44 (0) 203 816 9970
Email: training@akegroup.com
AKE’s flagship four-day Hostile Environment Course is designed to assist individuals and teams to prepare for and manage risk whilst travelling to and working in complex and potentially hostile environments. The programme is divided equally between medical, safety and security and is delivered through a blend of lectures, discussion groups, workshops and practical simulation exercises to suit varied learning styles. The course is progressive and interactive in nature, culminating in a series of challenging and realistic scenario exercises.
AKE International’s training team have a breadth of knowledge and considerable operational experience in high-risk and complex environments worldwide. As well as teaching our instructors deploy regularly on a variety of tasks, combining up to date experience and specialist knowledge to enhance the delivery of the course.
On successful completion of the course delegates will receive:
- AKE Aide Memoire
- AKE Personal Aid Kit
- AKE Certification (valid for 3 years)
- Qualsafe L3 Emergency First Aid at Work Certificate (Valid for 3 years)
- Complimentary trial of AKE’s Intelligence system
ATR limited
The Barn, c/o Lower Hitch,
Whitchurch Hill,
Reading, RG8 7NU
Tel: +44 (0)118 984 2948
Email: enquiries@atr-ltd.co.uk
ATR provide specialist security and surveillance products for their clients. Ranging from covert surveillance cameras and trauma first aid kits to IP mesh network equipment and lone worker safety devices. As a primary training and service provider they deliver a variety of Situational Awareness courses including HEAT & HEFAT. ATR’s highly acclaimed course integrates personal awareness and decision-making skills that helps to develop your attention levels of people, environment and events within a short space of time.
Their recognised courses range from 1 to 5 days, depending on client requirement and where they are travelling to. It features classroom-led training as well as scenario-led practical demonstrations, that simulate real-life hostile environments. Having their own extensive on-site training site enables ATR to organise these courses on request and at short notice.
Global Journalist Security
700 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003
USA
Tel: +1 (443) 415 8919
Email: gjs@gjs-security.com
Global Journalist Security offers comprehensive, five-day HEFAT courses at their training centres in Washington, D.C. and Nairobi, Kenya. The course modules include situational awareness, personal safety, emergency first aid, risk assessment and reduction, mob violence and sexual assault, interrogation and captivity, cover versus concealment, explosives, ordnance, snipers and other combat hazards.
Each course is imparted through a mixture of classroom presentation and applied exercises, and is aimed at humanitarian and media professionals who work in high-risk zones. Their emotional self-care director provides up to two weeks of emotional self-care support after each course. GJS team members are also available to discuss matters such as options for body armour or first aid kits. They also provide course graduates with follow-up resources and readings. Upon completing a course, participants receive a certificate lasting up to three years.
Guardian – security risk management
Strandgade 36, 1
1401-DK Copenhagen K
Denmark
Tel: +45 41 100 300
For general inquiries: guardian@guardian-srm.com
For training-related inquiries: training@guardian-srm.com
Through a skill-based learning approach, Guardian training equips the participant with a number of practical tools to mitigate risks and deal with critical situations. Based on more than 15 years of training experience, they have developed a number of courses – each respectively developed for either medium- or high-risk areas.
The 3-day HEAT course gives you the full package for travels in medium, high and extreme risk areas. The course is dialogue-based and founded on real-life cases and experiences. Practical exercises and workshops in which the participants will have to use their tools in a simulated environment will constitute the main part of the course. We put emphasis on creating a safe, honest and open learning environment.
The HEAT course covers extensive First Aid training as well as risk evaluation and assessment tools, travel planning, equipment, stress management, de-escalating communication, cultural awareness, handling of critical and life-threatening situations, hotel security, terrorist attacks, hostage survival and more.
Head Set
Email: info@headset.studio
Head Set’s industry-defining Safety, Medical and Resilience Training (SMART) is created by journalists for journalists, to build skills and confidence for working in hostile environments. As a freelancer, you can take advantage of special rates and join any of our online or in-person programmes that are delivered regularly around the world.
We use VR and immersive technologies, which bring scenario based training to almost any location, blended with hands-on learning for the most memorable and impactful learning experience. We know that the frontline is not just a war zone – it can be the phone in your pocket or inside an edit suite.
From our most comprehensive 3 day SMART through to our 1 day SMART Focus or SMART Refresh, our programmes are designed for all journalists. At the end of our programmes you will be certified with a Head Set Certificate of Attendance, including a description of the relevant medical and safety skills you have gained from certified instructors
Hostile Environment Training Ltd
The Studio
Apsley Barns
Apsley Lane
Hurtsbourne Priors
Hampshire
SP11 6NA
Tel: +44 (0)1256 89 66 77
Email: info@hostile-environment.co.uk
Their Hostile Environment Training Courses combine both theoretical and practical elements which are delivered by current and competent professionals. Whether working, travelling to or even living abroad, employers have a duty of care to ensure that their staff have the knowledge and tools to deal with the unique challenges and risks they may face.
North Star Safety Group
Salomons Estate
Broomhill Road
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN3 0TG
Tel: +44 (0) 20 4599 4888
Email (General Enquiries): info@northstarsafety.group
Formerly part of First Option Safety Group, North Star provides training, risk management consultancy, and specialist safety, medical and logistics support to the media, TV and film sectors.
North Star delivers Hostile Environment Training (HET), which prepares journalists and other programme makers who are deploying to hostile environments or undertaking challenging productions at home, by providing a mix of classroom, practical and immersive scenarios activities focussing on improving safety, security and medical skills when under pressure. We run monthly HET courses for a range of media clients, including BBC, ITN, NBC, CBS, CNN, production companies and freelancers. Our four-day course combines classroom-based learning with practical training and is run at our training centre in Tunbridge Wells, UK. Topics covered during the course include: first aid, vehicle and remote environment training, travel and personal safety, and conflict and post-conflict training. Each participant will receive a certificate that is valid for three years.
Our HET course is fully residential, with accommodation and meals included within the overall course cost. For any questions about course content, scheduling, and discounted rates for Rory Peck bursars, please email North Star Training Services at training@northstarsafety.group.
Pilgrims Risk Management Group
Pilgrims House
PO Box 769
Woking, Surrey, GU21 5EU
Tel: +44 (0)1483 228 778
Email: info@pilgrims-rmg.com
Pilgrims Group offers a Hostile Environment Course that consists of an eight-hour e-learning package followed by an intense two-day practical training course. This allows participants to conduct the first stage of training at their own convenience, which may be useful for freelancers who are acting on a tight timeframe.
The two-day practical training course is roughly split 60/40 between outdoor/practical content and indoor classes. Medical training forms an important part of both the practical and classroom-based theory, and all delegates are trained in the application of both trauma bandage and Combat Applied Tourniquet (CAT).
Aside from medical training, the course covers seven other key modules, including pre-deployment planning, personal safety, vehicle safety and conflict management. The practical training course is run in Surrey, UK. Successful delegates receive a certificate and a qualification that lasts for a period of up to three years. Each course is tailored to meeting the risks faced in a particular country/region.
RPS Partnership
Tel: +44 (0)1225 290210
Email: info@rpspartnership.com
RPS Partnership has been working with the media for over 20 years, evolving and adapting their training as the world has changed. Recently they have moved away from the traditional 3- and 4-day Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT/HET) course, and their current speciality is running tailored courses focused on what you need. They ensure you can work safely in environments where there may be ongoing conflict or war or where investigative journalists may face a clear threat from the State or criminal syndicates. Their courses recognise that as a freelancer you need to attend courses which suit you, covering topics such as: how to reduce your exposure to risk, how to respond appropriately when confronted with a dangerous situation and how to manage incidents and maximise control over developing situations.
RPS Partnership tailors their courses to how much time you have and whether you are working in high-risk locations or mostly working in medium-intensity environments such as post-conflict zones, natural disaster situations or where there is a moderate threat of terrorism, high crime rates or civil unrest.
SEPAR International
SEPAR International Ltd.
The Priebe Building
Red Barn Drive
Hereford HR4 9QL
Tel: +44 (0) 7568 312825
Email: info@separinternational.com
SEPAR International provides contextualised Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) globally, delivering physical safety and protection, digital security, stress management and trauma medical training. Trainings are conducted under the methodology of ‘do no harm’. Other topics offered include: risk assessments, situational awareness, protection in a high-risk working environment, counter-surveillance and task planning.
SEPAR’s qualified trainers have significant and recent media experience in hostile environments that helps to validate course content and advice. Each course participant will receive various digital and hard-copy supplements and a certificate that is valid for three years.