PCM/ERW Online course

Teaching Media, NGO, and High-Risk Security Personnel to Understand and Mitigate Explosive Threats and Associated Terrorist Tactics

The Media & NGO IED Awareness online course is designed to enable journalists, close protection operators, NGO staff and other private and public sector employees to identify and recognize the common components of IEDs, landmines and Explosive Remnants of War (“ERW”); to aid their understanding of the IED, ERW and landmine threat; and to provide guidance and advice on how to address those threats when operating in hostile environments. There are no pre-qualification requirements to take this course.

Who Should Attend?

• International news network high-risk deployment cells
• Foreign correspondents for international news networks
• Independent warzone correspondents
• Providers of hostile environment awareness training (HEAT) courses
• Staff and Managers from NGOs deploying to conflict areas
• Close Protection/PSD Operators working in high-risk areas
• IED/EOD/ERW/Demining industry equipment providers
• Military and law enforcement force-protection specialists
• Pre-Requisites: None

Course Objectives

• Learn about the current threat posed by IEDs and Mines and understand how these threats might be significantly mitigated
• Gain an insight into how terrorist networks function
• Learn about new methods of threat prediction and prevention
• Understand the information requirements for first responders and the implications of a response to an explosive incident
• Access leading pre-deployment training and preparedness in order to develop attendees professional knowledge and career development
• React to the challenges that will affect your current and future operations
• Benefit from networking with others from the high-risk deployment community during fully interactive group training and scenarios

Course Format

• Total Duration: 16 Hours
• Session Duration: 45–60 minutes per session
• Online Platform: Zoom

Included in the syllabus

1. Course Introduction
2. Defining Terrorism
3. Goals of Terrorism
4. Terrorist attack methodology
5. The Terrorist Attack Planning Cycle
6. Introduction to Explosives and Components used in IEDs
7. Types of IED
8. IED Methods of Delivery & IED Component Recognition
9. Case Studies of VIP Assassination Attempts Using IEDs
10. Effects of blast on People and Structures
11. Venue and Vehicle Search Considerations
12. Dealing with unattended and suspicious articles & vehicles
13. Dealing with postal devices
14. Dealing with Telephone Bomb Threats
15. Introduction to Anti-Personnel Mines
16. Introduction to Anti-Tank Mines
17. Safety and emergency procedures when encountering Minefields
18. Guidelines on how to assist a victim of a mine strike
19. Guidance on how to acquire maps and current data relating to Landmine and ERW locations
20. Planning road moves and maximizing safety whilst in an area of possible Landmine / ERW activity:
21. Interactive group scenario briefing focusing on (NGOs and Journalists) working in an urban environment suspected to contain IEDs
22. Interactive group scenario briefing focusing on (NGOs and Journalists) working in a rural environment suspected to contain mines and IEDs

Course Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, participants will be able to identify & recognize the common components of IEDs, Landmines & Explosive Remnants of War.  Students will be fully cognizant of the most up-to-date tactics, techniques and procedures employed by terrorist worldwide. They will have a better understanding of the IED, ERW & Mine threat and risks in current and post-conflict areas and be able to provide guidance and advice on how to address those threats when operating in hostile environments.