Fleet management specialist FMG has teamed up with road safety charity Brake to provide “crisis response” training for businesses and HR professionals.

Huddersfield-based Brake co-ordinated a day of essential training for fleet and HR professionals – looking at the procedures an organisation should have in place to provide appropriate support following a road crash or other sudden, violent event.

The one-day training course, sponsored by FMG, took place in Manchester. Specialist disaster management trainer Rosie Murray delivered the course on Brake’s behalf, sharing her expertise in the practical and procedural issues around a sudden death and how to respond to the emotional needs of affected employees.

Brake said that knowing how to react when the worst happens was essential planning for organisations, especially those employing at-work drivers who are at risk on the road.

The event was attended by more than 20 fleet professionals from a range of organisations including.

Philippa Maher, HR manager at Environmental Essentials, said: “Brake’s crisis response training provided me with essential and innovative techniques for our business should we ever be in the position of having to cope with the loss of a colleague. I would recommend this course as very useful training for any HR professional.”

John Catling, chief executive at FMG, which also has its headquarters in Huddersfield, said: “Knowing how to respond in a crisis situation is a vital skill for any business or fleet management professional and this course was both insightful and informative.

“Driving is one of the most dangerous activities most of us carry out in our working lives, so knowing how to respond appropriately to an incident is a need-to-have skill as part of the incident management process.”

Rosie Murray has more than 25 years’ experience in training professionals on how to respond in a crisis.

As well as acting as project co-ordinator for a Red Cross helpline set up following 9/11 and involvement in providing support in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, she also has extensive experience in delivering crisis response training to police family liaison officers, local authority staff and commercial companies.

in-house trainig available through Brake includes practical and procedural issues around a sudden death or serious injury and the possible impacts on an organisation; an introduction to the emotional needs of an employee suddenly bereaved or seriously injured through a through a violent event; the roles and responsibilities of professionals who work with bereaved and injured people; what you can do to support affected personnel and the limitations of your support; communicating to other members of staff; and creating a crisis response team.

Ellie Pearson, senior professional engagement officer at Brake, said: “Many employers have made fantastic progress in recent years when it comes to introducing measures to prevent their drivers from being involved in road crashes.

“However, it’s just as important that employers are proactive in preparing for the worst and ensuring they have robust policies in place to support their employees, should one of them be involved in a road crash.

“The sudden, unexpected death of a colleague can tear a workplace apart; it’s vital that employers recognise this and are able to act immediately in responding to such a crisis.”