On 15 October 2015, OSAC Bulgaria Country Council held its fourteenth event for OSAC constituents and American Chamber of Commerce members on Hostage Situations and Personnel Recovery. More than 50 participants from 34 private companies, 2 educational institution, and 4 government agencies attended the event.
Participants discussed case studies with hostage situations within the private sector, and were advised by law enforcement professionals on how such situations could be prevented. The audience was briefed on how important the psychological support is before, during and after a stressful situation, as well as the role of the U.S. Embassy in case of kidnapping and personnel recovery events. Speakers included professionals from the Center for Mental Health and Prevention, Sanofi, Assess, Chief Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, Metropolitan Police, and the State Agency for National Security.
There is currently one additional OSAC event planned for 2015:
- Business Resilience and General Assembly Meeting
OSAC was established in 1985 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to promote security cooperation between American private sector interest worldwide and the U.S. Department of State. The OSAC Council is comprised of 30 private sector and 4 public sector member organizations that represent specific industries or agencies. Today, the OSAC partnership encompasses ten federal agencies and over 4,600 private organizations, from the business and academic communities to non-governmental and faith-based organizations.
The OSAC Bulgaria Country Council, launched in November 2012, is one of the 151 OSAC chapters around the globe attached to U.S. Embassies and consulates. For more information on OSAC, contact the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy or visit the OSAC website or Linkedin group: OSAC Bulgaria Country Council.
