Centre for European Perspective (CEP) has conducted its first pilot HEAT training within the ENTRi framework in the week between 19 and 23 of November at the Police Training Centre Gotenica. It was organized with immense support by the Ministry of the Interior of Republic of Slovenia, Slovenian Police and Slovenian Armed Forces. Junior implementing partner of the training was Crisis Management Centre (CMC) Finland, while the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) from Sweden and Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) provided valuable observers, mentors and a trainer.
Europe's New Training Initiative for Civilian Crisis Management (ENTRi) is a unique capacity-building programme that was initiated in early 2011. It is funded by the European Commission (80%) and co-funded by its 13 implementing partners, each being from a different Member State of the European Union. ENTRi was created by the European Union's Instrument for Stability and is guided by The Foreign Policy Instruments Service. HEAT pilot course was implemented on the basis of the course concept that was developed by the European External Action Service and Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (SSSUP) Italy, while CEP further developed the course for the purpose of the implementation in Slovenia.
The course was an intensive five day training that aimed at raising up the security awareness of civilian crisis management mission members living and working in the hostile environment. 21 participants with various professional backgrounds (police, legal affairs, customs, security, political advising and project management) and from different CCM missions (EULEX, EUMM, EUPOL Afghanistan) took part in the course.
Methodologically the training was practically organised, with theory mixing practical exercise, as its main purpose was for participants to become aware of the possible threat situations and gain knowledge and skills about best possible reactions. Participants have tested their orientation abilities with map reading, compass, GPS and radio communication. Later on they tried the off road driving, changed the tyre on their car and tried how the winch works. Effects of various weapons and mines were extensively demonstrated in a safe environment, while phases of hostage scenes were introduced as well. Some time was dedicated to the threats of mass demonstrations that can develop in riots. One day was dedicated to the medical training and first aid help, especially in traumatic emergencies (car accidents, weapon's wounds, etc.).
All these skills were very tested on the last day when trainees participated in an intensive full day field exercise, where teams needed to accomplish various tasks and faced challenging situations in the meantime.
CEP wishes to thank the CCM missions for sending their staff to the training and the trainers who contributed to the successful implementation of the training and the simulation:
- Slovenian Police (Matej Brajnik, Matevž Gladek, Jernej Gosenar, Aleš Grudnik, Klemen Pogačar, Marko Rode)
- Ministry of the Interior (Miha Ristič, Boštjan Robič,)
- Slovenian Armed Forces, 17th Military Police Battalion and its commander, Captain Tomaž Kurdija
- Uroš Svete, PhD, Chair of Defence Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences and students of defence studies
- Vladimir Prebilič, PhD, Mayor of Kočevje
- Derbyshire Stronge International
- Dr Boris Rijavec.
We especially thank the friendly and supportive staff of Gotenica Training Centre.
More information: Nina Čepon, Project Manager
