Level 1: Level 1 is considered the US normal, and as a standard of practice, should not apply to individuals and teams serving internationally.
Level 2: International normal readiness level. Standard overseas threat level. Level 2 situations are taken care of locally by the field team.
Level 3: Local Field Team manages the situation, but the team informs Reliant's International Crisis Manager by reporting the international incident so that Reliant can evaluate the situation. Typically at this level, the incident is localized and on a smaller scale. Reliant would not know of the incident without the field team informing us. Reliant would like to hear that "we are fine" and be available to help evaluate the situation and provide assistance if needed.
Level 4: Local Field Team still mostly manages the situation. As soon as possible, the team informs Reliant's International Crisis Manager by reporting the international incident and Reliant's ICMT is now actively involved in the decision-making and helping the field team directly.
Level 5: Management of the crisis is now beyond the capacity of the local field team to manage independently. Reliant's International Crisis Management Team or its pre-approved delegate is now managing the situation until the Local Field Team returns to a position to do so themselves. This is a major crisis resulting in ongoing disruption to field operations or the threat now inhibits the ability of the team to safely continue.
Specific Readiness Level To Determine Next Steps
| Level 5 | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Individual imprisoned or extended detention for interrogation | Individual in immediate danger of being imprisoned, interrogation/visit from secret police, or a friend of staff detained | Minor legal violations or informal interrogation | Normal legal activity |
Steps to Reduce Probability and Consequences
- Practice operational security and follow local laws
- Research local laws before instituting a team and keep a working record of relevant legislation
Applicable Corporate Policies
- Evacuations may be authorized and mandated at either the local, Self-Evacuation, or Reliant level.
- Know your Places of Refuge
- Conditions for Disavowal of Personnel
- Confidentiality During Crisis Events
Crisis Resolution Protocol
- Determine the location and status of all other personnel
- Notify other personnel in the area, in person if possible
- As soon as you are able, begin documenting and gathering information
- Contact Reliant to report the incident: Crisis Reporting for International Incident
- Reliant will reach out to receive more details for their internal crisis report. Eventually, Reliant will share a communication tracking log that will serve as a way for team leaders and Shared Crisis Authority and Responsibility in Reliant Partnerships to all view communication updates between Reliant and the field team member
- Consider evacuating any family members as soon as possible, preferably with a designated escort
- The Team Leader will assign personnel to investigate the incident, establish a time frame for when they were arrested, confirm their activities leading up to the incident and locations they might have visited recently. These personnel should locate and contact any witnesses that might have observed the incident
- Continue to follow the location and legal status of the detained personnel, but do not advocate or provide legal advice to the detained personnel without ICMT authorization
- The Team Leader should visit the detained personnel as soon as possible to check on their condition, find out what assistance they need, reassure them, and document their version of the events
- Participate fully in any investigations to ensure compliance with local jurisdiction
- If released and in good legal standing, evacuate the individual, preferably accompanied by a team member, family, or ICMT member
- Follow all ICMT directions and recommendations
