THE FOLLOWING ARE SEEN AS THE MOST PREVALENT HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS: PRISON TAKEOVERS AND ESCAPE ATTEMPTS IN WHICH HOSTAGES ARE SEIZED; AIRCRAFT HIJACKINGS; SEIZURES OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND DIPLOMATS; ARMED ROBBERIES IN WHICH BY-STANDERS ARE SEIZED TO AID IN ESCAPES; AND INCIDENTS INVOLVING MENTALLY UNBALANCED PERSONS WHO SEIZE HOSTAGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN RECOGNITION. WHILE IT IS INDICATED THAT TACTICAL RESPONSE PLANS MUST FINALLY BE DESIGNED BY INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS OR JURISDICTIONS TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS, CERTAIN COMMONALITIES ARE BELIEVED TO EXIST WHICH RELATE TO EFFECTIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION. THE CONTAINMENT PHASE, THE MOBILE NEGOTIATION PHASE, AND THE RELOCATION OR CHANGE OF VENUE PHASE ARE CONSIDERED THE THREE DISTINCT PHASES OF A SUCCESSFUL HOSTAGE REACTION PLAN. THE TRAINING PROPOSED INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING AREAS: 1) GENERAL TRAINING -- WHICH INVOLVES A ONE-DAY GENERAL STAFF PREVENTIVE PROGRAM; 2) MANAGEMENT TRAINING -- WHICH CONSISTS OF A ONE WEEK MANAGEMENT/DECISIONMAKER TRAINING COURSE; 3) NEGOTIATOR TRAINING -- WHICH IS A ONE WEEK SPECIALIST NEGOTIATOR TRAINING COURSE; AND 4) TACTICAL TRAINING -- A 1 MONTH SPECIALIST EMERGENCY TACTICAL TEAM RESPONSE COURSE. TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO CONSIDERED TO PLAY AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART, AND CARE IS URGED TO ENSURE THAT THE EQUIPMENT EMPLOYED IS COST-EFFECTIVE. PERSONAL SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS ARE MENTIONED. THE SUBJECTS, TIME ALLOTTED FOR EACH COURSE, AND REFERENCES USED ARE PROVIDED FOR A CANADIAN TRAINING COURSE. (RCB)