Hostile Environment Awareness Training

Issued on 28 Jun 2026 by

Norwegian Refugee Council

Expires: 27 Aug 2029

Hostile Environment Awareness training (HEAT) is a form of high-fidelity stress exposure training that combines theory with high-stress and highly realistic simulation training. This is a well-researched concept in the field of psychology that is commonly used to train people working in high stress environments. The training is gradual: starting with theory, it then moves to guided exercises to make participants comfortable with each concept. The intensity levels increase each day so that participants can practice their new skills under more realistic conditions. Duration: 6 days (approximately 72 hrs of participatory training and simulation exercises)

Issuer

Norwegian Refugee Council

nrc@nrc.no

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. We protect displaced people and support them as they build a new future.

Criteria

NRC’s HEAT course provides participants with the required know-how and skillset to deal with real time threats. The six-day course offers a mix of advanced theoretical and practical sessions of simulated exercises.

List of modules: The list of the modules are continuously reviewed with emerging threats faced by NRC staff. Times are approximate.

Ballistics and Blast Dynamics (1 hrs)
Mental Preparedness and Resilience (2hrs)
Psychological first Aid (1 hrs)
Humanitarian Access Negotiation (3hrs)
First Aid (14hrs)
Small Arms Safety & familiarization (45min)
Explosive Hazards (UXO, Mines, IED's, Drones) (2hrs)
Personal Security & Runbag (2hrs)
Evacuation/Relocation (1hr and 45min)
Fire Safety (45 min)
Mission Planning and Risk Assessment (4hrs)
Checkpoint (2hr)
Kidnap, detention and Captivity (6 hrs)
Response to Active Threats (4 hrs)
Sexual Assault Survival
Sexual Harassment and Abuse prevention
Duty of care (1hrs)
Drones (1hrs)
Stop the bleed cert. (1hrs)
Basic Communication (2hrs)
Ongoing simulation and saturation exercises
De-escalation (3hrs)

To pass this course, participants must participate and successfully complete all modules.

The participant will be evaluated throughout the course and will only receive this badge if the learning objectives are met. When a participant is evaluated, the trainer will look at the participants ability to work in a hostile environment. The participant might fail this course if there is absence, lack of participation or the trainer see that they are a risk to themselves and others in the field.