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Archive for August, 2014

How to Manage Confined Spaces During Firefighter Rescue Operations: The Denver Drill

The Denver Drill – Part 2 firefighter training video has been viewed more than 1,300 times by TargetSolutions’ users and has a five-star rating.

Firefighters know the story of Mark Langvardt. He is the Denver firefighter who lost his life during a three-alarm fire after being trapped inside a storage room.

The tragic incident led to an increased level of preparation for managing confined spaces. Specifically, the Denver Drill was developed and the result is better strategy for extracting an unconscious firefighter in tight quarters.

If you’re looking for some firefighter training on the Denver Drill, TargetSolutions’ Community Resources is a great place to start. This month’s top video inside the file-sharing application is the “The Denver Drill – Part 2,” which shows procedures for removing a downed firefighter in a constricted area from feet-first and head-first positions.

“Never seen this part, very good info, I will be passing this on,” wrote George Gardiner of the City of Charleston Fire Department’s (S.C.) in the video’s comments section. And “good training,” Sheila Bennett of Margate-Coconut Creek Fire Department (Fla.) wrote of the video, which is currently stored in 32 different organizations’ File Center.

If you’re interested in learning more about the tragedy that took Langvardt’s life, you can also find the “The Denver Drill – Part 1” video inside Community Resources, which gives a report from individuals who were on the ground Sept. 28, 1992, when the 39-year-old became separated from his crew and lost his life in intense heat and heavy smoke.

There are several other training resources devoted to the Denver Drill in Community Resources, including a PowerPoint overview. If you would like more information, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

North Shore Fire Rescue Confident Its Training Records Are Accurate, Thanks to TargetSolutions

It doesn’t matter which fire department you analyze, how many personnel it employs, or how many citizens it serves – chances are the chiefs, captains and officers at that department are struggling to make sure personnel are completing mandatory training and compliance tasks on time. At least that is the case for departments doing things the old-fashioned way.

North Shore Fire Rescue (Wis.) was one of those departments until it found TargetSolutions, the industry’s leader in online training and records management, in January of 2012. Ever since, training management has become more efficient, according to Battalion Chief of Administration and Training Toby Carlson.

“Prior to launching TargetSolutions, we found it extremely challenging to effectively train 100 percent of our members, whether it was through practical drill, policy review or operational practices,” Carlson said. “Due to the staffing needs of our organization, some members rotate to multiple stations, which makes it even more difficult to connect with everyone from a training perspective. What TargetSolutions has allowed us to do is assign training to the entire department with the ability to electronically record when it has been completed.”

Not only has TargetSolutions helped North Shore effectively schedule and deliver assignments to members serving seven different communities across Northeast Milwaukee, but the department is maximizing the platform’s ability to track items and ensure accountability. One such area Carlson has seen drastic improvements, is in the tracking and reporting of ISO training.

“In the past, meeting ISO training hours was challenging – now, it is easier,” Carlson said. “It is still a significant amount of work, but we’re in a much better position to meet our goals. The training tracker application has become very valuable for us.”

With TargetSolutions’ pre-built fire department ISO compliance training solution – as well as the online system’s ready-to-go EMS recertification solution for the state of Wisconsin – Carlson’s department is operating at maximum efficiency. Carlson uses Target – Solutions’ LMS to deliver online EMS continuing education and “custom activities,” which are electronic tracking forms, to meet requirements for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS).

By recording live training sessions and delivering them with custom activities – plus the ability to store documents and policies and assign them requiring an e-signature – training management is simplified.

“Before TargetSolutions we had to do quite a bit of work manually documenting on a monthly training sheet who completed what training, then send in to the person managing the training bureau. They would manually compile and enter all the data – but that was archaic. Now, it’s almost effortless to not only record training, but to run the reports that confirm what has been done and what still needs to be done. That has been the biggest benefit, electronic storage and ease of compiling those records.”

Toby Carlson, Battalion Chief of Administration and Training

When Carlson looks at the overall benefits of the system, however, it comes back to effectively delivering and tracking training and other compliance items.

“North Shore Fire Rescue was doing a significant amount of training before, but unfortunately a lot of it fell through the cracks on the recording end,” Carlson said. “Now, with TargetSolutions, we have an accurate account of the hours our members devote to training, which is extremely important.”

About TargetSolutions
TargetSolutions delivers cutting-edge software applications, engaging online training courses, and world-class customer service. The company was founded in 1999 and today there are more than 2,000 organizations across the country using TargetSolutions’ innovative technology to solve their training challenges.

TargetSolutions Provides a Comprehensive Tool for Tracking, Reporting EMS Continuing Education

Did you know you can document both EMS continuing education and live training sessions for EMS recertification – all in one combined report with TargetSolutions? In addition to delivering, tracking, and recording EMS training, you can print out customized certificates after everything is completed.
TargetSolutions’ Activities Builder application provides the ability to document and record live EMS CEUs by creating electronic tracking forms called custom activities. Once training is completed, platform managers can add the custom activity to a corresponding credential, created with the powerful Manage Credentials tool, and fill in the necessary department name and CEU provider number.
This allows platform managers to pull a Credential Summary Report, which details the department’s EMS continuing education hours for EMS recertification. Additionally, basic-level users have the ability to pull this same report by themselves.
Departments can also distribute their own custom certificates, featuring watermarks, department patch or logo, CEU provider number, and digital signature, or any other necessary information, with TargetSolutions. The system auto-populates this information, as well as the name of the individual user and their corresponding EMS license number and completion date.
If you’re interested in learning more about TargetSolutions’ EMS recertification solution, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

California’s Fire Departments Can Track JAC Training with TargetSolutions’ Powerful Online Fire Training System

With around 150 departments participating and nearly 6,000 active apprentices, the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CFFJAC) is recognized as a model firefighter training reimbursement program. Departments participating in CFFJAC can track completed training using TargetSolutions’ online fire training system.
TargetSolutions’ JAC reporting solution offers the ability to automatically track JAC training codes for completed training and easily report monthly training records to CFFJAC.
“Utilizing TargetSolutions’ JAC application ensures departments accurately record all training hours for reimbursable dollars,” said TargetSolutions Account Manager Kegan Konrady. “This paired with the JAC monthly submission report allows a one-stop shop in reporting to JAC, creating a more thorough and efficient process.”
WATCH TARGETSOLUTIONS’ RECORDED WEBINAR: Track JAC Training with TargetSolutions
TargetSolutions recently hosted a webinar on best practices for tracking JAC. Please click here to view the webinar.
The webinar outlines how departments using TargetSolutions can access a JAC code builder under Reportable Components that allows them to easily assign custom JAC codes to custom activities. TargetSolutions courses also have a JAC code attached to them, which is automatically updated when a course is completed. The webinar details these steps, as well as how departments can pull data for JAC Monthly Submission reports to send to CFFJAC.
If you have any questions about TargetSolutions’ JAC Reporting capabilities, please view this fact sheet. And if you would like information on any of TargetSolutions’ other recordkeeping solutions for fire department ISO training, EMS recertification, or anything else, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

How Fatigue Impacts Your Emergency Responders’ Situational Awareness

Blog by Dr. Richard B. Gasaway, CFO, EFO, Fire Chief (ret.)

Numerous research studies have demonstrated fatigue and sleep deprivation can impact your situational awareness in disturbing ways. Some responders think that by taking a “safety nap” their mental clarity will be sustained. In a small way, it may help, as any rest is better than no rest. However, you cannot rely, chronically, on small increments of sleep to provide the benefits that a full sleep cycle provides, which is about eight hours for the average person.

Fatigue Can Impact Situational Awareness
Research shows responders working long hours need opportunities to rest their brains to operate most effectively.
Naps can be powerfully restorative, but do not resolve issues with systemic fatigue and sleep deprivation. Rest is a critical component to brain function and when there is not an adequate resting period or disrupted sleep cycles the impact is real and measurable.
Some scientists have described the behavior of research participants suffering from sleep deprivation as displaying similar cognitive and motor skills as a person who is intoxicated. When you think about the critical nature of first responder situational awareness and its role in decision making, you quickly realize fatigue can have catastrophic consequences.
The work schedule of public safety providers is not conducive to adequate rest. Twenty-four hour shifts in organizations that are busy service providers can present some real challenges to situational awareness, decision making, critical thinking and problem solving abilities. I have talked, informally, with many EMS providers who have fully admitted to me the quality of their patient care, as well as the speed and accuracy of their decision making, diminishes after working long shifts. In some agencies, providers work 48 consecutive hours and they do so in busy agencies where the call volume prohibits adequate resting periods.
Many responders believe if they feel physically rested they are, concurrently, mentally rested. In reality, when the physical body is resting, the brain is not resting at all. In fact, the brain is surprisingly active while the body rests, suggesting the body rests so the brain may have access to the extra glucose (energy) to do its heavy lifting.
And what is the brain doing while you sleep? Findings in neuroscience suggest the brain is sorting through all the data and experiences from the previous waking period, storing and cataloging the events for future use. After the storing and cataloging is complete, the brain clears the proverbial slate for the next waking period where new experiences can be gathered and the process starts all over again.
While you are sleeping, your brain can also continue to work on problems that may have perplexed you during your previous waking period. This has led to the sage advice that when you have to make an important decision, you should first sleep on it. There is scientific evidence to support this notion. Research participants given complex problems before they go to sleep often produce more accurate solutions after a good night’s sleep. Conversely, participants who have their sleep patterns interrupted, produce lower test scores. Thus, fatigue and sleep deprivation cannot only impact short-term performance and memory, it can also impact long-term memory and recall.
Responders who work long hours should be provided with opportunities to rest their brains. It’s not a matter of being lazy as some elected or appointed administrators may critically suggest. It’s a matter of personal safety and improving brain function, critical thinking, problem solving, situational awareness and decision making.

Dr. GasawayAbout the Author

Dr. Gasaway is widely considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on situational awareness and the human factors that complicate first responder decision making. In addition to his 30-plus year career in the fire service, including 22 years as a fire chief, Dr. Gasaway has a second passion: Uncovering and applying research in brain science for the benefit of first responders. His website, Situational Awareness Matters (www.SAMatters.com) welcomes 50,000 visitors a month from 156 countries. He can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

TargetSolutions Prepares to Show Its Online Fire Training System at Fire-Rescue International in Dallas

Excitement is building at departments and businesses everywhere as the fire service’s largest conference, Fire-Rescue International, creeps closer and closer. If you’re heading to Dallas for the special event scheduled Aug. 15-16, you know the feeling.
TargetSolutions, the industry’s leader in online fire training and records management, will be presenting at No. 5508 in the expo hall. The opportunity to meet with members of the fire service, including hundreds of clients who attend the event, and show the system’s most engaging online fire training courses and innovative fire department software applications, is something TargetSolutions relishes each year.
“FRI is a premier event for the fire service,” said TargetSolutions Executive Vice President Thom Woodward. “We find it very valuable to be an exhibitor. The FRI Expo Hall allows our prospects and clients to experience what’s new from TargetSolutions. We present live demos, are available to talk one-on-one, and collect information about needs and interests.”
In addition to presenting the most robust online training catalog, with more than 250 hours of fire and EMS recertification training, TargetSolutions will present the 2014 Training Officer Recognition Award, alongside the IAFC’s Volunteer & Combination Officers Section.
The prestigious honor, delivered jointly by VCOS and TargetSolutions to acknowledge exemplary conduct befitting of a training officer, will be awarded to Captain Chip Everett of Oshtemo Township Fire Department (Mich.), during the VCOS annual section meeting on Aug. 14.
If you have any questions about TargetSolutions, please stop by the booth or give us a call at (800) 840-8048.
TargetSolutions will be presenting its online fire training system at Fire-Rescue International in Dallas. If you have any questions about the platform, please stop by booth No. 5508 and we’ll make sure you get the information you need.

 

 

Educate Your School District’s Personnel on How to Treat, Prevent Student Concussions

With student athletes suffering concussions more frequently than ever before, it is imperative school officials, including coaches and teachers, recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion. This video highlights TargetSolutions’ online training course, “Student Concussions,” which aims to educate personnel on how to treat harmful brain injuries and prevent student concussions.
“Student Concussions” is featured in TargetSolutions’ course catalog for school districts. The self-paced online safety training course has 10 learning modules and a multiple choice exam. It covers what constitutes a concussion, myths and symptoms about concussions, signs of a concussion, when to call 911, and much more.
If you have any questions about TargetSolutions’ computer-based training system, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

Copy Credential Enhancement Simplifies Process for Updating, Reassigning Credentials

Copy Credential function will allow platform managers to copy their own credentials, as well as TargetSolutions’ Certified Credentials, and all associated information from inside the Manage Credentials application. It’s important to note that when a “Certified Credential” is copied, the copied version is no longer certified.

Customizing training and delivering it with ease are essential elements to effective training management. That’s why TargetSolutions’ soon to be released enhancement will be popular with platform managers.

The all-new Copy Credential function that will be released soon, will enable organizations to copy existing credentials, duplicate or edit components inside them, update alert notifications, and then reassign to select users. If you’ve ever wanted to make changes to a credential, but didn’t want to recreate it from scratch – whether it’s an ISO Training Tracker, a firefighter task book, a new-hire orientation package, or any other credential – you will be excited by this capability.
“This allows platform managers to copy, update, and reassign custom and certified credentials,” said Software Engineer Manager Dustyn Borghi. “It’s a really powerful time-saving tool. This provides more power to be able to control credentials how you want.”
Copy Credential Function’s Impact on TargetSolutions’ Fire Department ISO Training Tracker
Product Manager Misty Pratt anticipates the Copy Credential tool being deployed frequently by clients using TargetSolutions’ one-of-a-kind ISO Training Tracker.
“Some sites use yearly ISO credentials and Credential Summary reports to gather progress data,” Pratt said. “To use these reports and still be able to see the data for a previous year, they were not able to utilize the auto-renew capabilities for their users in order to ‘reset’ and begin a new cycle. They needed to recreate new identical credentials each year. Now they can do this on their own, without any assistance from TargetSolutions’ Client Services.”
Pratt also mentioned how fire department training task books, or job-specific learning tracks, are often organized into credentials, and how many of the credentials contain common elements. Platform managers can now copy over the bulk of the content, but make adjustments to requirements based on target audience.
TargetSolutions Is Always Listening to Clients to Improve the Platform
This enhancement originated with client feedback, Pratt said. Daniel Phillips, a captain with Plymouth Community Fire Department in Michigan, requested the update.
“I have yearly training built into credentials for fire training that is required each year by law,” Phillips said. “I would like for it to automatically update each year into a new credential. It would be easier on me and I wouldn’t have to redo it each time and hope I’m doing it accurately.”
Said Pratt: “We’re excited to be able to make the platform more efficient. That’s what we’re always looking to do. I think this enhancement will help our clients.”

Educate Employees on Back Safety with This Month’s Top Video Inside Community Resources

Considering how many different bones and muscles are connected to the human back, you understand why it is one of the body’s most susceptible areas to injury. And when these injuries happen, productive employees may miss valuable time that can hurt your organization’s bottom line.

If you would like to educate employees on back injury prevention, TargetSolutions offers several valuable resources. In addition to an online training course that educates employees on improving back safety – as well as a pre-built, customizable assessment that helps identify risks – this month’s top video inside Community Resources addresses this important issue.

“Back Safety” is a 20-minute video that teaches viewers necessary precautions for protecting their backs. After viewing this informative video, employees will learn how the back works, various types of back pains, and tips for preventing injuries through proper lifting techniques and ergonomics.

With back pain leading to 34 percent of lost workdays, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is critical your organization trains employees on ergonomics.

To view this video inside Community Resources, please log in to your organization’s TargetSolutions site and search “Back Safety” under the Community Resources tab. If you have any questions, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

The video, which was posted in January of 2014 by the City of Roseville, Calif., and is currently being used by four different organizations, makes a key point that caring for the back is a 24/7 job that lasts a lifetime. Back injuries can result from various activities including improper heavy lifting and repetitive movements.