Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)

Our HEAT course is a fully bespoke online course developed for us by Safer Edge. When you deploy with UK-Med, you’re likely to find yourself in challenging locations. This course will prepare you for the variety of different safety and security risks you may face. There is also a live simulation exercise, described separately, which will allow you to explore your behaviour in a high-stress environment and reflect on your reactions.

This course will help you to prepare for working in a challenging context, and give you the skills, knowledge, behaviour, attitude and confidence to navigate potential risks safely and securely. You’ll develop an understanding of your role and responsibilities in keeping yourself and your colleagues safe during responses.

By undertaking this course:

• You’ll become more aware of security threats in conflict-affected areas
• You’ll understand how to apply appropriate risk-reduction measures
• You’ll be able to perform your functions safely, effectively and efficiently in an emergency response.

This course has two components:

• Fifteen online modules for you to complete at your own pace
• Three live online calls in a virtual classroom
• There is also a separate HEAT simulation exercise.

This course is for all UK-Med Register members, of all backgrounds and experience, to ensure that we can provide a unified response to emergencies. It’s offered to you once you’ve completed the Core Training Pathway.

The key topics you’ll learn about in the HEAT course include:

• Risk assessment, security strategies, trip planning and first aid
• Checkpoints, vehicle maintenance, and carjacking
• Weapons and complex attacks
• Self-awareness, interpersonal skills and self-care
• Detention, arrest, kidnap and sexual violence
• Incident management and reporting.