We have just published the third in a series of articles connected to the new crisis management standard – ISO 22361:2022. One of the biggest concerns of crisis management teams is how to make a decision, especially when under stress and when information is confused or contradictory or incomplete, and when there are multiple (but often sub-optimal) options. In this article we discuss crisis decision making and share some thoughts on the tools available.

Download the article from Free Downloads, here.

Terra Firma Risk Management have today published a new report entitled “Letter from Mindanao”.

This report, along with several others, may be accessed at the Free Downloads section of this website, by filling out the online form.

Click here to download a free report today.

A new document has been added to the Resources section, entitled “Risk Focus: Kidnap and Ransom (in the Gulf of Guinea)”.

Please visit the Free Downloads page to download this report.

Terra Firma Risk Management have today published a new report entitled “Islamic State and Kidnap in North Africa”.

This report, along with several others, may be accessed at the Free Downloads section of this website, by filling out the online form.

Click here to download a free report today.

Terra Firma featured in a recent Economist article.

The following excerpts are taken from the article:

In Venezuela, where the number of abductions is rising, “express kidnappings” are the most common sort, according to the Venezuelan Violence Observatory (OVV), a think-tank based in Caracas.

Terra Firma, a security firm with a branch in the city, has noticed that kidnappings surge every two weeks, when most people get paid their wages, which suggests that the victims are working-class.

Economic hardship is one reason for the persistence of low-rent kidnapping. In Venezuela, where the economy is in a slump and foreign currency is scarce, fewer hostages can pay big-dollar ransoms, says a negotiator from Terra Firma.

The Economist “Quickie kidnappings – As abductions get faster, the poor are being targeted along with the rich” – June 6th 2015

For more on Terra Firma Risk Management kidnap response service, please click here.

Our consultant in Sydney was on Fox News recently discussing hostage negotiations during the attacks in the city.

For the full item, visit the Fox News website, here.

Terra Firma Risk Management have recently been mentioned in the following news coverage:

“Risk management experts like Terra Firma are the ones who should be contacted first in the event of a kidnapping, but in most cases, if it’s your loved one who’s been snatched, you’ll be the person with whom the kidnappers will insist on speaking. Criminals won’t want to be put on the phone with someone who isn’t necessarily desperate to facilitate the hostage’s return. They’ll want to deal with you, directly.”

From “8 steps to negotiate kidnap & ransom demands” at PropertyCasualty360.com

Click the link below to read the full article.

http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2014/07/08/how-to-negotiate-kidnap-ransom-demands-8-steps

Related Service: Kidnap & Ransom.

Terra Firma Risk Management have recently been featured in the news section of specialist risk insurers, Willis Group, in the following article at their WillisWire website:

http://blog.willis.com/2014/05/terrorism-in-kenya-situation-update/

The article describes the current terrorist situation in Kenya, and was written with some input from a Terra Firma advisor in the region.

If you are creating an article about terrorism, kidnap and ransom, or similar subjects, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Terra Firma Risk Management were recently mentioned in a BBC News article entitled “Nigeria abductions: How do you negotiate with Boko Haram?“, which included the following passage:

British risk consultancy firm TerraFirma has been involved in lengthy hostage negotiations in Nigeria on behalf of commercial companies.

According to one of their executives, who asked not to be named, the next most important thing to establish is “proof of ownership”.

That means making absolutely certain that the people you are talking to are the ones actually holding the hostages.

In the murky world of kidnap and ransom, there will be plenty of people looking to make some money out of putting themselves forward as intermediaries “with connections”.

A third ground rule in the hostage negotiator’s metaphorical handbook is to never lose your temper.

“The kidnappers will often lose theirs,” says one expert.

“Or at least they will pretend to, to put pressure on you to give in to their demands. But you must never lose yours, for fear you will prompt them to take drastic action.”

Click here to read the rest of the article at the BBC website.