Crisis Negotiation Courses for LEA and Air Traffic Controllers

Negotiation solutions for LEA and Military operations.

A peaceful resolution is usually the preferred outcome in any crisis, be it a hostage situation, barricaded stand-off, air or sea hijacking, or a suicide intervention. Any tactical resolution raises the probability that the hostages and the police or military forces might get injured or killed.

More than Crisis Negotiation Training, STRADEF Trainers are also able to integrate negotiations with tactical assaults working as one well-oiled unit. The aim of any good tactician is to resolve the crisis without injury or death to the hostages and blue forces. To that end, a successful resolution must always see the smooth integration of operators and negotiators.

Who are the first ones to discover airline hijackings?

The life of an air traffic controller is a high-pressure, meticulously organized ballet of coordination and decision-making. Their responsibilities are immense, and the potential consequences of errors are catastrophic.

An air traffic controller's day typically begins with a thorough briefing on weather conditions, airspace restrictions, and any potential disruptions. This is followed by a shift that can range from early morning to late night, depending on the airport's traffic patterns. The day is filled with a constant stream of information, decisions, and actions. It's a demanding role that requires exceptional concentration, quick thinking, and the ability to handle stress.

Thankfully, hijackings are rare, however, given the potentially catastrophic consequences of a hijacking, it's essential that air traffic controllers are prepared to handle such situations effectively. Training typically involves:

  • Emergency procedures: Controllers learn about protocols for declaring an emergency, coordinating with law enforcement, and communicating with the hijacked aircraft.

  • Communication techniques: They practice clear and concise communication under high-stress conditions, essential for relaying information to other air traffic control facilities, law enforcement, and the military, but also to the captain and potentially to the hijackers themselves.

Are you ready for the worst-case scenario? No?

STRADEF provides training in the following areas

  • Common motivations: Political, personal, criminal, or mentally unstable.

    Behaviour patterns: How hijackers might react to different situations (e.g., negotiations, law enforcement presence).

    Crisis management: The psychological impact of a hijacking on the hijacker and how it might influence their decisions.

    • Clear and concise communication: The importance of effective communication with pilots, other air traffic controllers, law enforcement, and possibly the media.

    • Coordination with ground teams: Understanding the roles of different agencies involved in a hijacking (e.g., SWAT, hostage negotiators, bomb disposal).

    • Information sharing: The critical nature of sharing accurate and timely information with all relevant parties.

    • Evacuation procedures: Understanding emergency evacuation plans for airports and aircraft.

    • Airspace restrictions: Implementing airspace restrictions and coordinating with other air traffic control facilities.

    • Emergency landing procedures: Knowledge of procedures for emergency landings in case of fuel exhaustion or other critical situations.

    • Decision-making under pressure: The importance of making quick, informed decisions in a high-stress environment.

    • Maintaining composure: Strategies for staying calm and focused during a crisis.

    • Risk assessment: Evaluating potential risks and making informed decisions based on available information.

    • Aviation regulations: Understanding relevant aviation laws and regulations.

    • Law enforcement protocols: Familiarity with law enforcement procedures and protocols.

    • International cooperation: Awareness of international treaties and agreements related to hijackings. 

*The training is both theory based and practical real-life simulations that replicate hijacking scenarios to test the controllers' abilities to respond effectively under pressure.