Presented by Crisis Ready Media

Global Hostile Environment and First Aid Training

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Location

Frederick, Maryland
United States
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Date & Time

Monday, 10/06/2025 - Friday, 10/10/2025
Add to Calendar 10/06/2025 08:00:00 AM 10/10/2025 06:00:00 PM America/New_York Global Hostile Environment and First Aid Training Presented proudly in partnership with The Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) course is an intensive, five day program designed to prepare journalists and media professionals for assignments the high-risk and hazardous environments we face everyday, in the United States and around the world. Combining classroom instruction with immersive, scenario-based field exercises, the course covers core topics including situational awareness, conflict zone navigation, trauma first aid, detention survival, digital security, and psychological resilience. Participants learn to recognize threats, respond to emergencies, and operate safely in volatile settings, all while maintaining journalistic integrity and mission focus. The curriculum is guided by international safety standards and tailored to the unique challenges faced by journalists working globally. Topics Covered in the Global HEFAT Curriculum: Situational awareness and risk assessment Operating in conflict zones and non-permissive environments Tactical movement and cover techniques Kidnap avoidance and detention survival Trauma first aid and emergency casualty care (including Stop the Bleed) Managing injuries: fractures, burns, blast trauma, and concussions Mental wellness and stress management in high-risk settings Digital security and communications in hostile environments Navigation and field movement without GPS Dealing with checkpoints, border crossings, and hostile actors Working in the aftermath of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods) Vehicle safety and ambush survival Crowd dynamics and civil unrest response Gender-specific risks and field safety for women journalists Ethical and legal considerations in conflict reporting Resilience, debriefing, and peer support after trauma This course is essential for journalists working both domestically and abroad because it provides the critical skills needed to navigate today’s increasingly unpredictable and high-risk reporting environments. Whether covering conflict zones, natural disasters, civil unrest, or public health crises, journalists face real physical, psychological, and digital threats. The Global HEFAT course equips them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to stay safe, make informed decisions under pressure, and continue reporting with integrity and resilience. Your $1,700 tax deductible contribution covers all expenses associated with the HEFAT course, ensuring a fully inclusive and immersive training experience. This fee includes comprehensive instruction led by expert trainers, hands-on field exercises, comfortable lodging for the duration of the course, and all meals provided on-site. Participants can focus entirely on building critical safety and survival skills without the worry of additional costs or logistics. During the course of this training, participants should be aware that pyrotechnics and other realistic simulators may be used to enhance the authenticity and effectiveness of the learning experience. These elements are carefully controlled and designed to replicate the stress and confusion of hostile environments in a safe, instructional setting. The training will be rigorous, both mentally and physically, and participants are strongly encouraged to engage fully within their personal comfort levels and physical abilities. Our instructors are committed to supporting each individual’s learning while ensuring safety and respect throughout the training. The training will be held in Frederick, Maryland. A shuttle bus will be provided from Dullas Airport the evening prior to the start of training. 

Price

$1,700

About This Event

Presented proudly in partnership with

The Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) course is an intensive, five day program designed to prepare journalists and media professionals for assignments the high-risk and hazardous environments we face everyday, in the United States and around the world. Combining classroom instruction with immersive, scenario-based field exercises, the course covers core topics including situational awareness, conflict zone navigation, trauma first aid, detention survival, digital security, and psychological resilience. Participants learn to recognize threats, respond to emergencies, and operate safely in volatile settings, all while maintaining journalistic integrity and mission focus. The curriculum is guided by international safety standards and tailored to the unique challenges faced by journalists working globally.

Topics Covered in the Global HEFAT Curriculum:

  • Situational awareness and risk assessment

  • Operating in conflict zones and non-permissive environments

  • Tactical movement and cover techniques

  • Kidnap avoidance and detention survival

  • Trauma first aid and emergency casualty care (including Stop the Bleed)

  • Managing injuries: fractures, burns, blast trauma, and concussions

  • Mental wellness and stress management in high-risk settings

  • Digital security and communications in hostile environments

  • Navigation and field movement without GPS

  • Dealing with checkpoints, border crossings, and hostile actors

  • Working in the aftermath of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods)

  • Vehicle safety and ambush survival

  • Crowd dynamics and civil unrest response

  • Gender-specific risks and field safety for women journalists

  • Ethical and legal considerations in conflict reporting

  • Resilience, debriefing, and peer support after trauma

This course is essential for journalists working both domestically and abroad because it provides the critical skills needed to navigate today’s increasingly unpredictable and high-risk reporting environments. Whether covering conflict zones, natural disasters, civil unrest, or public health crises, journalists face real physical, psychological, and digital threats. The Global HEFAT course equips them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to stay safe, make informed decisions under pressure, and continue reporting with integrity and resilience.

Your $1,700 tax deductible contribution covers all expenses associated with the HEFAT course, ensuring a fully inclusive and immersive training experience. This fee includes comprehensive instruction led by expert trainers, hands-on field exercises, comfortable lodging for the duration of the course, and all meals provided on-site. Participants can focus entirely on building critical safety and survival skills without the worry of additional costs or logistics.

During the course of this training, participants should be aware that pyrotechnics and other realistic simulators may be used to enhance the authenticity and effectiveness of the learning experience. These elements are carefully controlled and designed to replicate the stress and confusion of hostile environments in a safe, instructional setting. The training will be rigorous, both mentally and physically, and participants are strongly encouraged to engage fully within their personal comfort levels and physical abilities. Our instructors are committed to supporting each individual’s learning while ensuring safety and respect throughout the training.

The training will be held in Frederick, Maryland. A shuttle bus will be provided from Dullas Airport the evening prior to the start of training. 

About This Event

Presented proudly in partnership with

The Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) course is an intensive, five day program designed to prepare journalists and media professionals for assignments the high-risk and hazardous environments we face everyday, in the United States and around the world. Combining classroom instruction with immersive, scenario-based field exercises, the course covers core topics including situational awareness, conflict zone navigation, trauma first aid, detention survival, digital security, and psychological resilience. Participants learn to recognize threats, respond to emergencies, and operate safely in volatile settings, all while maintaining journalistic integrity and mission focus. The curriculum is guided by international safety standards and tailored to the unique challenges faced by journalists working globally.

Topics Covered in the Global HEFAT Curriculum:

  • Situational awareness and risk assessment

  • Operating in conflict zones and non-permissive environments

  • Tactical movement and cover techniques

  • Kidnap avoidance and detention survival

  • Trauma first aid and emergency casualty care (including Stop the Bleed)

  • Managing injuries: fractures, burns, blast trauma, and concussions

  • Mental wellness and stress management in high-risk settings

  • Digital security and communications in hostile environments

  • Navigation and field movement without GPS

  • Dealing with checkpoints, border crossings, and hostile actors

  • Working in the aftermath of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods)

  • Vehicle safety and ambush survival

  • Crowd dynamics and civil unrest response

  • Gender-specific risks and field safety for women journalists

  • Ethical and legal considerations in conflict reporting

  • Resilience, debriefing, and peer support after trauma

This course is essential for journalists working both domestically and abroad because it provides the critical skills needed to navigate today’s increasingly unpredictable and high-risk reporting environments. Whether covering conflict zones, natural disasters, civil unrest, or public health crises, journalists face real physical, psychological, and digital threats. The Global HEFAT course equips them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to stay safe, make informed decisions under pressure, and continue reporting with integrity and resilience.

Your $1,700 tax deductible contribution covers all expenses associated with the HEFAT course, ensuring a fully inclusive and immersive training experience. This fee includes comprehensive instruction led by expert trainers, hands-on field exercises, comfortable lodging for the duration of the course, and all meals provided on-site. Participants can focus entirely on building critical safety and survival skills without the worry of additional costs or logistics.

During the course of this training, participants should be aware that pyrotechnics and other realistic simulators may be used to enhance the authenticity and effectiveness of the learning experience. These elements are carefully controlled and designed to replicate the stress and confusion of hostile environments in a safe, instructional setting. The training will be rigorous, both mentally and physically, and participants are strongly encouraged to engage fully within their personal comfort levels and physical abilities. Our instructors are committed to supporting each individual’s learning while ensuring safety and respect throughout the training.

The training will be held in Frederick, Maryland. A shuttle bus will be provided from Dullas Airport the evening prior to the start of training. 

Getting There

Frederick, Maryland
United States

Get Directions

Location

Frederick, Maryland
United States
Get Directions

Date & Time

Monday, 10/06/2025 - Friday, 10/10/2025
Add to Calendar 10/06/2025 08:00:00 AM 10/10/2025 06:00:00 PM America/New_York Global Hostile Environment and First Aid Training Presented proudly in partnership with The Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) course is an intensive, five day program designed to prepare journalists and media professionals for assignments the high-risk and hazardous environments we face everyday, in the United States and around the world. Combining classroom instruction with immersive, scenario-based field exercises, the course covers core topics including situational awareness, conflict zone navigation, trauma first aid, detention survival, digital security, and psychological resilience. Participants learn to recognize threats, respond to emergencies, and operate safely in volatile settings, all while maintaining journalistic integrity and mission focus. The curriculum is guided by international safety standards and tailored to the unique challenges faced by journalists working globally. Topics Covered in the Global HEFAT Curriculum: Situational awareness and risk assessment Operating in conflict zones and non-permissive environments Tactical movement and cover techniques Kidnap avoidance and detention survival Trauma first aid and emergency casualty care (including Stop the Bleed) Managing injuries: fractures, burns, blast trauma, and concussions Mental wellness and stress management in high-risk settings Digital security and communications in hostile environments Navigation and field movement without GPS Dealing with checkpoints, border crossings, and hostile actors Working in the aftermath of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, floods) Vehicle safety and ambush survival Crowd dynamics and civil unrest response Gender-specific risks and field safety for women journalists Ethical and legal considerations in conflict reporting Resilience, debriefing, and peer support after trauma This course is essential for journalists working both domestically and abroad because it provides the critical skills needed to navigate today’s increasingly unpredictable and high-risk reporting environments. Whether covering conflict zones, natural disasters, civil unrest, or public health crises, journalists face real physical, psychological, and digital threats. The Global HEFAT course equips them with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to stay safe, make informed decisions under pressure, and continue reporting with integrity and resilience. Your $1,700 tax deductible contribution covers all expenses associated with the HEFAT course, ensuring a fully inclusive and immersive training experience. This fee includes comprehensive instruction led by expert trainers, hands-on field exercises, comfortable lodging for the duration of the course, and all meals provided on-site. Participants can focus entirely on building critical safety and survival skills without the worry of additional costs or logistics. During the course of this training, participants should be aware that pyrotechnics and other realistic simulators may be used to enhance the authenticity and effectiveness of the learning experience. These elements are carefully controlled and designed to replicate the stress and confusion of hostile environments in a safe, instructional setting. The training will be rigorous, both mentally and physically, and participants are strongly encouraged to engage fully within their personal comfort levels and physical abilities. Our instructors are committed to supporting each individual’s learning while ensuring safety and respect throughout the training. The training will be held in Frederick, Maryland. A shuttle bus will be provided from Dullas Airport the evening prior to the start of training. 

Price

$1,700