Training Notice: Crisis Hostage Negotiation Course

(Ithaca, NY – November 7, 2019) – Care Compass Network (CCN) is sponsoring a Crisis Hostage Negotiation Training for Tompkins County’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) the week of November 11, 2019 in Ithaca, New York. The training is offered in partnership with Tompkins County Mental Health (TCMH), Ithaca Police Department (IPD), Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department, Cornell Police Department, and Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County (ADC). Administered by Crisis Systems Management LLC, the 40-hour course addresses the fundamental tasks of a successful crisis negotiator, and will help to further prepare the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) to work as part of a coordinated negotiation team – including the mediation of a variety of crisis situations including hostage takers, barricaded subjects, and potential suicide victims. The Crisis Hostage Negotiation training will teach participants effective communication techniques, and will provide them with a fundamental understanding of how to recognize suicidal indicators, assess immediacy of suicidal intent, and how to apply certain techniques to best mitigate a crisis situation. Throughout the 5-day training, participants will be exposed to a variety of learning exercises, including classroom-led technical skills and scenario-driven skill development.  For the latter, trainees will participate in instructor-facilitated scenario-driven exercises and debriefs, which will serve to reinforce skills learned in the classroom.  In order to create realistic and practical scenarios for practice, participants will be engaged in role play, which may include loud noises.  Community members should be aware that no direct or indirect hazards exist within the parameters of this training.  The Crisis Hostage Negotiation Training is being funded under CCN’s Project 3.a.ii – Crisis Stabilization.  The course aligns with existing project initiatives, which provide community law enforcement professionals and first responders with evidence-based mental health training, including: Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety, Mental Health First Aid for Fire & EMS, and Crisis Intervention Training (CIT).  The objective of the Crisis Hostage Negotiation Training is to assist Tompkins County’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) to grow their professional skills as crisis negotiators, and to ultimately help the community achieve better health outcomes for individuals in crisis. The training will be held at: Alcohol & Drug Council of Tompkins County, 2353 North Triphammer Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850. Any questions should be directed to Lauren Greco at 607-240-2560.