PV24TK088 Crisis Communication in Pedagogical and Social Practice

Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Winter 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 1 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Guaranteed by
Institute of Pedagogical and Psychological Sciences – Faculty of Public Policies in Opava
Contact Person: PhDr. Edita Ondřejová, Ph.D.
Timetable of Seminar Groups
PV24TK088/A: Fri 11. 12. 8:05–11:20 C204, 12:15–15:30 C207
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 10 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/10, only registered: 0/10
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to provide students with a comprehensive theoretical framework and advanced practical skills in crisis communication, verbal de-escalation, and tactical negotiation. The course strictly focuses on the acute phase of contact with a high-risk individual (persons in affect, aggressive individuals, psychiatric patients, or persons under the influence of substances) and on managing ongoing security incidents, including active shooter/attacker situations. Students will master first-response communication procedures, principles of personal safety in extreme situations, and techniques for managing extreme emotional stress.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
  • Assess the crisis situation: Conduct a rapid situational analysis (threat dynamic recognition) and select the appropriate protocol to ensure safety. 
  • Apply operational de-escalation procedures: Master crisis communication and negotiation during direct contact with a non-compliant person.
  • Utilize behavioral models: Effectively implement the FBI Behavioral Change Stairway Model within pedagogical and social work environments.
  • Apply personal safety principles: Protect themselves and entrusted persons during an acute security incident (aggression, intrusion by an unauthorized person).
  • Respond to an active attacker (AMOK) situation: Know and apply basic survival protocols, area securing, and effective communication with first responding Police units.
  • Execute immediate stabilization: Apply procedures for post-incident care (crisis debriefing, defusing, and the iCOVER methodology as a supplementary tool).

Syllabus
1. Block: Situational Assessment, Physiology of Stress, and Personal Safety
•    Rapid situational recognition and assessment (dynamic risk assessment, situational awareness).
•    Mechanism of the stress response (cortisol reaction, narrowed perception, impact on motor skills).
•    Principles of personal safety in contact with a high-risk client/student (proxemics, escape zones).
•    Establishing contact in a hostile environment, communication barriers under extreme pressure.
2. Block: Tactical Negotiation and Verbal De-escalation
•    The FBI Model in practice: Active Listening ➡️ Empathy ➡️ Rapport ➡️ Influence ➡️ Behavioral Change.
•    Identifying motivators (finding keys), buying time, and building trust.
•    Tactics for managing verbal and physical aggression, communication with individuals under the influence of substances and during acute psychotic episodes.
•    Negotiation during acute suicidal and auto-aggressive behavior (real-time self-harm attempts).
3. Block: Security Incidents, Active Attacker, and Post-Incident Care
•    Typology of security incidents in schools and institutional facilities (ranging from an aggressive parent to an armed attack).
•    Response to an active attacker (AMOK): Survival protocols, barricading, and specifics of communication with first responding police units.
•    Immediate stabilization of the affected group: psychological first aid, defusing, and rapid recovery of functionality.

Literature
    required literature
  • ANDRŠOVÁ, Alena. Psychologie a komunikace pro záchranáře: v praxi. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2018. (Zásadní oborová monografie zaměřená na zvládání pacientů v extrémním stresu, posttraumatickou péči a specifika komunikace posádek IZS).
  • VODÁČKOVÁ, Daniela a kol. Krizová intervence. 4. vyd. Praha: Portál, 2014. (Tato „bible“ krizové pomoci obsahuje rozsáhlou speciální část věnovanou krizové intervenci u dětí, dospívajících a jejich rodin).
  • BROŽ, František a Daniela VODÁČKOVÁ. Krizová intervence v kazuistikách. Praha: Portál, 2020.
  • VYMĚTAL, Štěpán a kol. Když se stane neštěstí: Příručka pro školy. Připravujeme se na mimořádné události anebo krizové situace a jejich důsledky. Praha: Ministerstvo vnitra ČR.
  • VYMĚTAL, Štěpán. Akutní komunikace ve školním prostředí při mimořádných událostech. Praha: Ministerstvo vnitra ČR / MŠMT ČR.
  • VYMĚTAL, Štěpán. Krizová komunikace. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2009.
  • ŠPATENKOVÁ, N. Krizová intervence pro praxi. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2011.
  • BAŠTECKÁ, B. a kol. Psychosociální krizová spolupráce. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2013.
Teaching methods
Interactive lecture combined with an intensive practical seminar. Controlled analysis of anonymized real-world case studies from crisis negotiation and ethopedical practice. Practical simulations, high-pressure role-plays of negotiation and de-escalation techniques, and strategic design of institutional crisis protocols.
Assessment methods
Credit Requirements: 100% active attendance during block sessions. Oral defense of a simulated crisis scenario (the student must demonstrate the ability to establish contact, de-escalate a high-risk client, and formulate a post-incident recovery plan).
Language of instruction
Czech
Teacher's information
Výuka probíhá blokově a staví na propojení vysokoškolské etopedické teorie s třicetiletou reálnou praxí vyučujícího v bezpečnostních složkách a mezinárodně certifikovaném krizovém vyjednávání (výcvik FBI, ÚRN). Doporučuje se pohodlné oblečení pro praktické nácviky modelových situací.
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
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