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Security and Safety Training in Northern Virginia
I provide security and safety training built around your people, your space, and your risks, delivered on-site at your workplace or another location of your choice. I also teach courses for students.
I am Zach Baumgart, a paramedic and former federal special agent with more than 25 years of public safety and law enforcement experience. About me
Who I Serve
Organizations
Businesses (medical offices, law and financial offices, retail spaces, and restaurants and bars), nonprofits, schools, childcare facilities, camps, and houses of worship that want their people prepared.
Individuals and Families
Safety training for individuals and families, including situational awareness, personal safety, online safety, and travel safety.
Students
Courses for teens and young adults. See Courses for Students below.
Two Ways to Train
Stand-Alone Training
Choose a set course for students, such as B Safe at Spring Break, or a custom course built for your organization. All training can be done as a single session or on a recurring basis.
Bundled with Other Services
Training proposals are built into my physical security audits, emergency procedures, and threat assessment services.
Security Director on Demand contracts offer regular and recurring training based on your specific needs.
Custom Training Topics
Emergency Medical Response
As a paramedic, I teach your staff what to do in the first minutes of a medical emergency, before an ambulance arrives, so they can act with confidence, save lives, and call for help the right way.
Active Threat Response
Active Threat Response, commonly referred to as active shooter or armed intruder training, prepares staff to respond. Details are in the section below.
Workplace Violence Prevention and Recognition
Staff learn the warning signs of escalating behavior, how and when to report a concern, and how a workplace response plan supports them.
Pre-Assault Indicators and De-escalation
Staff learn to recognize the behaviors that often come before an assault, spot a risky situation, and use calm communication to lower tension and set clear boundaries. They also learn when to step away and call for help.
Fraud Awareness and Prevention
As a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), I explain how common schemes work, such as payment fraud, skimming, and business email compromise. Staff learn the red flags and the steps to take when something looks wrong.
Indicators of Embezzlement and Other High-Risk Behavior
Managers and staff learn the warning signs of embezzlement and other high-risk behavior, and how and when to report a concern.
Retail Theft and Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Awareness
As a member of the Mid-Atlantic Organized Retail Crime Alliance (MAORCA), I teach retail staff to recognize theft behavior and organized crime patterns and to respond safely, including when not to intervene.
Online Harassment and Personal Safety for Families
I help parents and families understand online harassment, document it, limit their exposure, and decide when to involve the platform's accountability and safety team or law enforcement.
Personal Safety and Situational Awareness
Practical skills for staying aware of your surroundings, avoiding risky situations, and protecting yourself and your family in everyday life, including online.
Travel Safety for International Travelers
Briefings and security training, customized for your destination, for travelers headed abroad. Learn about my travel security service.
Active Threat Response Training
Active Threat Response prepares people to make good decisions in the first moments of an attack, when seconds matter the most. I teach your staff to:
- Recognize warning signs and understand their response options, including how to get out, how to secure a space, and what to do as a last resort
- Communicate with co-workers and with 9-1-1
- Know what to expect when law enforcement arrives
- Provide basic emergency medical care until help reaches them
Drills and hands-on practice can be built into any training session to reinforce what staff learn.
I also offer reviews and updates to your organization's Active Threat Response plans as part of my emergency procedures and Security Director on Demand services.
Courses for Students
B Safe at Spring Break
A three-hour course for students going on spring break for the first time. The course covers travel safety, nightlife safety, situational awareness, and other topics.
Dates are coming soon. Join the notification list today!
B Safe at College
A six-hour course for high school juniors, seniors, and graduates preparing to live away from home for the first time, covering fire safety, road safety, housing security, nightlife safety, and medical emergencies.
Dates are coming soon. Join the notification list today!
How It Works for Custom Training
Initial Consultation
A confidential consultation by phone or virtual meeting lasting about 15 minutes. The consultation is complimentary.
Scope and Contract
I recommend the course type, length, and class size for your group and send a contract proposal with the scope, terms, and final pricing.
Training at Your Location
I teach every session myself, on-site at your workplace or another location of your choice.
Ready to talk it through? The initial consultation is complimentary.
My Experience
I have spent more than 25 years in public safety as a paramedic, firefighter, local law enforcement officer, and federal special agent. I protected U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, including emergency planning, and I provided executive protection and threat assessment for senior government officials.
I was trained as an instructor by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) and the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Training Center.
Where I Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend a training session?
Anyone in your organization, including front-line staff, managers, volunteers, and board members. I tailor each session to the group.
Where does the training take place?
All of my training is delivered in person, on-site at your workplace or another location of your choice. The exceptions are B Safe at Spring Break and B Safe at College, which are held at set locations.
Who provides the materials and the training space?
I bring the materials. Custom training is typically held at your site, but I can secure a space if needed. For B Safe at Spring Break and B Safe at College, I provide the space.
How long are sessions?
B Safe at Spring Break runs three hours, and B Safe at College runs six hours. For organizations, your needs, the course type, and class size determine the course length.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the course type, length, and class size. As an example, a two- to three-hour course for ten attendees covering fraud awareness and prevention would cost $600. There is no charge for the initial consultation and the proposal. I will discuss pricing during your initial consultation and provide you with the final pricing in the contract proposal.
Can you teach a topic that is not on your list?
Yes. The topics above are examples. Tell me what your group needs during your initial consultation, and I will build a session to fit.
Does the emergency medical response training lead to a certification?
No. It is not a certification course, but it includes hands-on practical training and builds life-saving skills.
Can you schedule training around our operations?
Of course. I work with you during your initial consultation to find a time that fits your operations.
Do I need an audit or emergency plan before I book training?
No. Training is available on its own or as part of a larger contract. I also offer services to draft, develop, and review emergency plans.
Do you offer courses for students?
Yes. B Safe at Spring Break and B Safe at College are courses for teens and young adults. See each course page for details.
Do you offer refresher training?
Yes. I offer annual or as-needed sessions, which keeps new staff trained and earlier lessons fresh.
Will Active Threat Response training frighten my staff?
I teach in a calm, practical way and adjust the content for the group, including schools, childcare facilities, and camps.
How soon can we get started?
I respond within two business days of your request, and I begin with a complimentary, confidential initial consultation.
Related Services
Each of my services is available individually or as part of a Security Director on Demand contract. Training can often lead to or also require emergency procedures, threat assessment, and physical security audits. See my full list of services.