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Crisis Negotiation Resrouces

Crisis Negotiation Resources brings together practical tools, research-informed strategies, and real-world training materials for professionals handling high-risk incidents. Whether you serve on a Crisis Negotiation Team, supervise critical events, or want to strengthen your communication under pressure, these resources focus on active listening, rapport, decision-making, and information gathering in dynamic situations. Each tool is designed to support safe resolutions, reduce risk, release hostages, and improve the quality of communication when it matters most.

Crisis Negotiaton Training Resources

These Crisis Negotiation Resources include open-source guides, hostage negotiation checklists, crisis negotiation training tools, and evidence-based communication strategies from IXI and other trusted sources. Designed for Crisis Negotiation Teams and law enforcement professionals, these practical materials support active listening, rapport building, behavioral change strategies, and safe resolution during barricaded suspect, hostage, and high-risk incidents. Many are ideal for printing, laminating, and field use during real-time operations.

ALS Target (.pdf)

This Active Listening Skills target (FBI) outlines practical communication behaviors used in crisis negotiation. Used in crisis negotiation training scenarios.

Behavior Change Stairway Model (CREST)

The stairway model provides the crisis or hostage negotiator with a path forward towards behavioral change of the person in crisis

IS-0200.c Basic Incident Command

This course is part of the series of ICS courses designed to meet NIMS ICS for operation personnel, including hostage incidents.

ALS Target Scoring

Hints on scoring the active listening skills (ALS) target during crisis negotiation training days. Useful for veteran and new crisis negotiators alike.

Coaching Cards

The resource offers printable crisis negotiation coaching cards. Includes suicide intervention, suicide ladder, active listening techniques and wheel of emotion.

ALS Target Hints

This discusses follow-up and further discussion of the ALS Target. How to use it and prepare for crisis negotiation training days. Also offers info on why some information is not included.

Incident Response Guide: Hostage or Barricade Incident

Hostage or barricade incident checklists and response guide.

Indicators of Progress

The checklist supports crisis negotiation and hostage negotiation operations by identifying behavioral, verbal, and psychological signs of movement toward resolution.

Negotiation for Commanders

This document offers potential on-scene commanders negotiation points for their consideration during critical incidents. Provided by the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU).

CNT - SWAT Considerations

This document provides indicators of violence and questions to consider when preparing for a callout or activation of speciality teams.

FBI Stop Sign (Target)

This Active Listening Skills target (FBI) outlines practical communication behaviors used in crisis negotiation. Used in crisis negotiation training scenarios.

Hostage Situation Checklist

Follow this checklist during a hostage incident to ensure that you complete important tasks.

Crisis Events Log

Editable event log to document any incident. This log can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any law enforcement agency or crisis negotiation team.

FBI Negotiation Recommendations

Generic recommendations for negotiation situations. Including points for demands, suicide, surrender, and barricaded subjects.

Prison Emergencies (Hostage Situations)

A guide to preparing for and responding to prison emergenices. Self-audit checklists, resource materials, case studies, and hostage response protocols.

Crisis Negotiation Team (FEMA Operations)

FEMA official classification for NIMS: The Crisis Negotiation Team consists of individuals who negotiate with a person or group of people actively involved in a criminal,domestic or mental health incident

Police Negotiations with War Veterans

Law Enforcement Bulletin article on returning war veterans and the adjustments and challenges that they face that can lead to Law Enforcement contact.

Crisis Negotiation Checklist (FBI)

Law Enforcement Bulletin article on returning war veterans and the adjustments and challenges that they face that can lead to Law Enforcement contact.

Behavior Change Stairway

Image of the behavior change stairway including influence, rapport, active listening, and empathy.

Hostage / Barricade Command System (Hospitals)

Hostage and barricade scenario checklists, response guide, and training for hospitals.

Hostage Negotiation Training in Corrections

Federal Probation article on a protocol for hostage negotiation training within correctional institutions.

Crisis Negotiations Skills Sheet

Skills sheet that includes active listening skills, labeling, rapport, and other crisis and hostage negotiation skills.

Behavioural Change Stairway Influence Model

The Behavioural Stairway Influence Model (Vecchi, Van Hasselt & Romano 2005)

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