About the project


FIRST-TAC

Development of Joint Curriculum for First Responders on the Use of Force and First Aid Tactical Procedures


Project Overview

Funding: Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2 (KA220-VET) - Cooperation Partnerships in Vocational Education and Training
Total Budget: €250,000
Project Duration: 20 months (September 1, 2023 - April 30, 2025)
Lead Partner:
  • Ministry of the Interior, Police Academy - The First Croatian Police Officer (PA HR)
Project Partners:
  • Police School in Słupsk, Poland (PSS)
  • Lithuanian Police School, Lithuania (LPS)
  • Agency for Education and Professional Training, Bosnia and Herzegovina (AEPT)


Main Objective

FIRST-TAC aims to develop a joint curriculum to train police officers in the tactics and techniques of using force and administering first aid. The project delivers a comprehensive training program, including:
  • A training manual with teaching materials
  • Detailed exercise descriptions and evaluation rubrics
  • Threat-level-based tactical approaches
  • Instructional videos
The project also implements four pilot training sessions across partner countries to test and refine the curriculum. The ultimate goal is to standardize and improve first responders' practices by exchanging experiences and harmonizing national programs.

Work Package 1 (WP1): Project Management

An international consortium of partner representatives manages the project. PA HR, as the lead partner, oversees implementation timelines and regularly updates partners. Curriculum coordinators from each institution ensure the quality of project outputs.


Specific Objectives:

  • SO1: Manage administrative, financial, and legal aspects in compliance with EU and national guidelines.
  • SO2: Appoint project managers, coordinators, and financial officials to guide and monitor project execution.
  • SO3: Host two in-person meetings (kick-off in September 2023 and closing in April 2025 in Zagreb), along with additional virtual meetings as needed.


Partner Obligations:

  • Promote the project via institutional websites, social media, and relevant national/EU events.
  • Appoint:
    • 1 project coordinator
    • 1 curriculum coordinator
    • 1 financial official

Work Package 2 (WP2): Curriculum & Manual Development

Partners collaborate to share training experiences and practices. Based on this, they co-develop a draft joint curriculum and an accompanying manual for trainers and learners.


Specific Objectives:

  • Analyze and compare current training practices.
  • Identify and integrate innovative, practical teaching methodologies.
  • Compile good practices in use of force and tactical emergency care.
  • Define program goals, competencies, content, and evaluation methods.
  • Develop session plans, exercises, rubrics, and video tutorials.
  • Design and deliver an online workshop for instructors on curriculum implementation.


Partner Obligations:

  • Actively participate in all activities.
  • Host one working meeting each:
    • PA HR (Nov 2023), LPS (Dec 2023), PSS (Jan 2024), AEPT (Feb 2024)
  • Appoint one curriculum coordinator and three subject-matter experts.

Work Package 3 (WP3): Pilot Trainings

Each partner institution hosts an international pilot training using the draft curriculum. These sessions help refine and finalize the program for regular use in annual officer training.


Specific Objective:

  • Optimize the curriculum for long-term implementation in national police training systems.


Partner Obligations:

  • Equally contribute to all pilot activities.
  • Host one pilot training session:
    • PSS (Mar 2024), LPS (May 2024), AEPT (Jun 2024), PA HR (Sept 2024)
  • Provide:
    • 1 curriculum coordinator
    • 2 trainers
    • 6 learners per training session

Work Package 4 (WP4): Sustainability & Visibility

Each partner organizes a national online workshop to showcase the curriculum, manual, and training methodology to relevant instructors and stakeholders.


Partner Obligations:

  • Deliver one online workshop in the national language, introducing the program to instructors specializing in use of force and tactical first aid.