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MODULE C: Fundamentals of crisis engagement
MODULE C: Fundamentals of crisis engagement
Welcome to the Field Tools & Tactics module. In this course, you’ll become familiar with the essential gear that keeps you mission-ready on the streets and learn how to employ it swiftly and safely under pressure. We’ll cover simple tactics for staying effective in dynamic environments: how to move and position yourself, maintain clear communication on the radios, and leverage the strength of a small team with high trust.
Finally, you’ll gain insight into crowd behavior, understanding group dynamics, anticipate surges or shifts, and adapt your tactics to keep both yourself and those you’re aiding out of harm’s way.
By the end of this module, you should be more confident in the tactics and tools we'll be using to maintain safety and provide care.
PLEASE NOTE: THE OPINIONS, STATEMENTS, AND ORGANIZATIONS LINKED HERE ARE NOT ALWAYS ENDORSED BY THE SOCIETY OR MEMBERS. THE TRAINING MATERIALS PROVIDED HERE ARE DUE TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL CONTENT ONLY.
The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) Suicide Awareness Training is a short, free, online course that can be taken by anyone who wants to learn basic suicide awareness and prevention skills. ZSA believes suicide is preventable and knows that sometimes all it takes to save a life is a conversation.
This is required training for all of members as a way to understand and recognize moments of crisis.
Behaviors and physicality Of Crowds
Behaviors and physicality Of Crowds
We work in crowds and crowded areas. It's important to understand the basic psychology of crowds, how the "shared identities" form in crowds during an emergency or disaster, and the dangers of crowd crush. This brief video talks about crowd behaviors and event space design, helping give some understanding of spaces that hold crowds and how they behave in those spaces.
PEACEKEEPING & THE BASICS of DE-ESCALATION
PEACEKEEPING & THE BASICS of DE-ESCALATION
Understanding mutual aid, and the key to being a society helping communities by contributing skillsets directly to areas where traditional health and safety systems are not operations, is crucial to knowing how you can help out the Aid Society! It's all about real, tangible actions.
handling stress & fear
handling stress & fear
The very nature of community street medicine and aid is to be where the community is at, no matter what event or social engagements are happening. This may mean chaotic scenes and extremely stressful scenarios. We should understand how to handle fear and stress in emergencies.
additional materials & references
additional materials & references
A Demonstrator’s Guide to Responding to Gunshot Wounds
Covers basic ballistic wound management for non-medical volunteers, from tourniquet use to improvised dressings, with an emphasis on “you are not your local trauma surgeon.”Protocols for Common Injuries from Police Weapons
Step-by-step care guidelines for rubber-bullet bruises, tear-gas burns, chemical irritants, concussion, and other demonstration-related injuriesMental Health First Aid
Highly recommended training, and one of the cornerstones for our Support Monitors, that all members should take if possible!
This is the handbook, created by Chicago Action Medical, is adopted by the Northern Aid Society as the primary handbook for our Medicaes! As Safety Medical volunteers, you should be familiar with the contents and brush up on the materials prior to every safety medical coverage event. It will be used during Medicae training courses. It covers most medical situations encountered during social and civic events, but is only basic medical information. Below are additional guides, resources, and articles that volunteers are strongly encouraged to review and explore. Seeking professional training, such as Wilderness First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician, can go a long ways as well!
Riot Medicine, the name not withstanding, is a full-length textbook that covers everything you need to become a street medic. The 486 pages include organizing, medicine, equipment, and tactics. It is written for those with no medical training and no experience at protests, but medical practitioners and seasoned protesters will still find it useful.
Other guides include a field guide, a basic aid card, and other helpful materials.
This article by the Melbourne Street Medic Collective provides a good collection of tips and techniques for providing medical care at social action and engagement events. Materials cover information about basic safety, situation management, organizational logistics and support.
The guide Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals by Choose Democracy is a fantastic manual on safety techniques and strategies during mass civic engagement events. It covers the basics of crowd movement, de-escalation, and practical tools and principles for peacekeepers, rooted in the belief that nonviolent discipline is not just a tactic — it’s a strategy for resilience.
This article by Patrick Young provides a fantastic overview of the movement of street medicine and community medical aid in civic events. It covers concepts in mutual aid networks, the history, and thoughts around keeping the movements healthy and safe for the future.
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