Provision of Training Services of Specialized Driving

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) employs a number of security guards and drivers to carry out driving and executive protection towards its higher management and others VI Ps, as part of the duty of care. A number of Security staff assigned to carry out field security deployment, as well as Frontex Liaison Officers (FL Os) and Fundamental Rights Monitors (FRO Ms) carrying out activities and field visits, often require driving in remote areas or on difficult road conditions, frequently considered as hostile environment or high-risk areas.

In the light of the above, respective Frontex staff must have skills in specialized driving in order to carry out their duties safely. Demanding and complex events, such as, for example, emergency breaking and evasive manoeuvres, cannot be trained during normal daily routines in traffic. Moreover, the current Frontex fleet does not allow to practice with different types of vehicles and traction such as Front Wheel Drive (FWD) or 4-wheels Drive (4 WD) nor to familiarize with armoured vehicles on standards EN 1522/EN 1063 B6/B7 level, that may have to be used in certain missions and areas of deployment.

Furthermore, it is similarly preferred that other staff, although not specifically deployed as security staff or drivers, should also acquire specific skills in defensive driving, emergency driving and off-road driving (including but not limited to FRO Ms, FL Os).

For this purpose, various trainings of specialized driving have to be provided under the guidance of professional trainers (instructors) in a closed driving track environment, with dedicated specialised vehicles. By the end of each training, the participating Frontex staff should have learned or refreshed their skills within the area of specialized driving.

Frontex is also in need of of eco-driving training (theoretical and practical) to EBCG Standing Corps officers Cat. 1.

The expected long-term benefits of the aforementioned services in addition to improved driving skills of the Standing Corps officers include:

• reduced fuel costs;

• lower maintenance costs and costs for repairing cars after accidents;

• increased safety of the drivers;

• improved environmental performance of Frontex’ operations;

• higher awareness of staff and their behavioural change related to driving and maintenance of the cars.