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 |
|---|---|---|---|
All suicides. Death of team leader or leader's family member. Or, the crisis results in the criminal investigation (See Contingency Planning: Crime) of a team member. Or, the crisis results in heavy media exposure. The attention threatens operations. | Death of team member or team family member. Attempted suicide. Suicide or death of strategic/local partner. | In the event of accidental death or suicide, Reliant will always be involved. It immediately jumps to level four. | In the event of accidental death or suicide, Reliant will always be involved. It immediately jumps to level four. |
Steps to Reduce Probability and Consequences
- Practice situational awareness (Color Codes for Situational Awareness) and follow safety regulations
- Have an accessible record for all overseas personnel of relevant medical history or conditions, including mental health
- Research the legal method to obtain a death certificate
Applicable Corporate Policies
Crisis Resolution Protocol
- Do not touch anything other than checking the pulse of the victim
- Notify local authorities including Embassy or Consulate (The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) app has local "911" numbers you can call- See Helpful International Risk Management Resources)
- Contact Reliant to report the incident: Crisis Reporting for International Incident
- Cooperate with any police investigation
- Confirm the safety and location of all other personnel
- Notify other team members in person if possible or through encrypted methods if necessary, giving appropriate care to family members who may be on the team
- If contacted by another party, the Team Leader must confirm the identity of the deceased personnel
- As soon as you are able, begin documenting and gathering information
- Reliant will reach out to receive more details for the 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
- Reliant will work with local leaders to assign personnel to investigate the incident, establish a time frame for when the reported offense occurred, and confirm their activities leading up to the incident and locations they might have visited recently. This personnel should locate and contact any witnesses that might have observed the incident.
- Reliant will contact family members who live in other locations
- Contact the coroner and determine the legal method to obtain a death certificate and coronor report, ensure the body is secure and arrange for post-mortem examinations if required
- Review "If I die" directives provided to Reliant, and share those with appropriate parties
- Obtain details on removing the body
- The Team Leader should make contact with, notify, and provide continuing care for affected team members
- Follow all ICMT directions and recommendations
