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Archive for September, 2014

How Independent Actions Can Negatively Impact Situational Awareness

Blog by Dr. Richard B. Gasaway, CFO, EFO, Fire Chief (ret.)
For some public safety agencies, it is standard practice for personnel on first alarm assignments to arrive and deploy independently – meaning without any one person designated to coordinate the activities or timing of tasks. Oftentimes these responders are highly trained, highly motivated and action oriented. What they are lacking is coordination of their efforts.
SOP for First-Arriving Personnel
It’s important for departments to have a set SOP for first-arriving personnel at incidents. It makes sense to have a supervisor assume the role of coordinator for other incoming personnel.
It is unrealistic to think a dozen, or more individuals could arrive at varied times at an incident and each make exactly the same assessment of the situation/conditions and know, absent a centrally located commander, what every other team member is thinking and doing. Can you see how this spells trouble?
Even professional football teams, who practice their plays repeatedly, have the benefit of someone coordinating their actions on the field. Imagine the impact if a football team had no one calling the plays. The team might stumble into success on occasion, but the propensity for error, simply because the players lack a shared understanding and a centralized coordinator, is guaranteed. So it is on an emergency scene, as well.
Someone has to keep a view of the big picture right from the beginning and coordinate the actions of incoming personnel. Otherwise, the incident may degrade as the independent, uncoordinated actions of responders fail to achieve a common goal.
A Solution to the Issue
Develop a standard operating guideline/policy that requires the first-arriving supervisor to assume the position as the person in charge and have that person maintain a “big picture” view of the incident. Allow some variation for imminent rescue situations. This person then becomes the coordinator of other incoming personnel. If they are a junior supervisor, they can be relieved of their command on the arrival of a more senior command-level officer.

About 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].

VectorLearning Acquires eLearning Provider CentreLearn Solutions

CentreLearn Solutions Will Merge with TargetSolutions, Combining the Fire and EMS Industry’s Two Leading Providers of Web-Based Training Management Services

SAN DIEGO – VectorLearning, a leader in online education and training for a broad range of industries through its RedVector, TargetSolutions, and CiNet-RedVector brands, announced today it has acquired Pennsylvania-based CentreLearn Solutions, a pioneer in online education for emergency responders.

By combining CentreLearn with TargetSolutions, VectorLearning has changed the landscape of web-based training management services for public safety agencies. Post transaction, TargetSolutions will serve more than 2,300 organizations, putting it in the unique position as the industry’s unquestioned leader for cutting-edge learning management applications and online continuing education courses.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to merge CentreLearn with TargetSolutions,” said Tom Wallace, CEO of VectorLearning. “By combining these two leaders in web-based training for emergency responders, we will be able to offer even more value to clients. Both of these brands are extremely well respected because of their dedication to delivering exceptional training courses and innovative technology that streamlines training management.”

With the acquisition of CentreLearn, VectorLearning is now offering training solutions to nearly 3,000 organizations in a broad range of industries, including design and construction, industrial operations, and public safety. By aligning together, TargetSolutions will benefit from CentreLearn’s talent and expertise, as well as its strong course content library, which will eventually be made available to all TargetSolutions’ customers.

“VectorLearning shares our same level of commitment to online education, and most importantly, to the heroes who serve us all through public safety,” said CentreLearn’s CEO Jason Paluck. “We chose to join together with VectorLearning because it has the same vision as we do – and that is to deliver the very best training courses and applications so emergency responders remain safe, compliant and effective while serving our communities. By merging with TargetSolutions we will be even stronger than before. We’re excited to add our experiences and expertise to the team and begin our journey together.”

About VectorLearning
VectorLearning sets the standard for excellence in online continuing education and training for organizations as well as licensed technical professionals in the design and construction, industrial operations, and public safety industries. Through its award-winning Learning and Performance Engine, the company offers individual courses as well as large-scale corporate training solutions featuring customizable and easily accessible online universities with a full range of tracking and reporting features. With an online library exceeding 2,000 interactive and accredited courses authored by more than 200 subject matter experts, VectorLearning serves more than 300,000 working professionals in all 50 states and Canada. VectorLearning was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For further information call 1-866-546-1212 or visit www.VectorLearning.com.

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 is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. For more information, please call 1-800-840-8048 or check online at www.targetsolutions.com.

Does Tracking Employees’ Licenses Give You Trouble? TargetSolutions Simplifies the Process

Managing renewable licenses is no easy chore. Whether it’s a driver’s license, an instructor’s license, an EMT’s license, or any other type of license that needs to be maintained, it can be difficult. Fortunately, TargetSolutions’ powerful records management system is here to simplify the process.
“We previously had no notification if an employee was about to miss a deadline. Now, with TargetSolutions pushing everything, we’re much better off. That’s a huge factor for us. This system really helps us stay on track and notified, rather than our old way of doing everything manually. The automated e-mail alerts help us tremendously.”
Dennis Reglen, Strategic Planning Lieutenant 
El Paso Fire Department, Texas
“With TargetSolutions we know who is expiring and we can plan more efficiently. We now know who is coming up and when their expiration dates are. The reporting functionality really helps us do our jobs better.”
Dan Collins, Fire Captain
Cal Fire San Diego, Calif.
No matter which type of license an employee needs to update, it can be tracked in one centralized online location with TargetSolutions. The online training platform’s alert notifications keep personnel informed when deadlines are about to expire.
If you have any questions about TargetSolutions’ license tracking capabilities, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

How Online Police Training Helps Agencies Achieve Compliance, Reduce Exposure

Is your police agency struggling with how to effectively train its personnel? A recent news report by 19 KYTX in Texas analyzed the issues with compliance and risk many law enforcement agencies in the Lone Star State are facing.

 

Lonny Wilder, who is TargetSolutions’ VP of Public Safety, was interviewed for the special feature to discuss several incidents that have brought scrutiny to various departments and how online training helps achieve better results. Investigations into the departments’ training have been conducted as a result of these incidents.

 

“It only takes one incident for the public to rise up and say, ‘gee, we need more training for these guys,’ ” Wilder said. “And I think that is happening with more frequency.”

 

Law Enforcement Requirements for Continuing Education

Every two years, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement requires officers to complete 40 hours of law enforcement continuing education. It is left to the department to determine what type of training is completed. With TargetSolutions, law enforcement departments can access more than 240 training courses that are accepted by TCOLE.

 

Another key benefit of the online training management platform is the ability to start and stop training on your schedule with 24/7 access to law enforcement courses and training materials.

 

“Every decision they (police) make from moment they get out of that car, is absolutely critical,” Wilder said. “The training of law enforcement officers is critical and vital, not just for their continuing education and certification, but also for their safety and for well-being of the community at large that they serve.”

It’s important for police officers to meet state, federal and local training mandates, so they can serve their communities better. TargetSolutions offers a variety of resources and training materials to help law enforcement agencies.

TargetSolutions offers more than 240 online training courses for police officers and law enforcement agencies. Contact us online or at (800) 840-8046 to learn more about TargetSolutions’ online police training in Texas.

Safety Should Always Come First for Firefighters. Train That Way.

Editor’s Note: This is the first tip from TargetSolutions’ special report, “Eight Great Tips for Training Your Crew,” a best practices guide. To view the entire report, please click here.
Tips for Firefighter Safety
The fire service has evolved over the last few centuries, but one thing remains constant — brave firefighters continue to risk their lives to protect others. So when it comes to training, the ultimate goal is to give personnel the skills they need to do the job as safely as possible. Of course, you already know that — the question is how do you do it effectively? What areas do you focus on? Here are four tips for firefighter safety to educate your firefighters that can make a huge difference in their well being at the end of the day.

HOW TARGETSOLUTIONS CAN HELP YOUR DEPARTMENT CREATE A SAFER CULTURE  

Records Management System
It’s critical to create policies or SOGs that mandate training on key safety precautions like airway management, the utilization of seat belts during emergencies, and physical fitness milestones. With TargetSolutions you can create those policies, deliver them online, and track the results electronically. You’ll sleep better knowing your members have acknowledged what is required to stay safe.
Online Training System
TargetSolutions features the industry’s most robust online training library, including more than 60 hours of valuable NFPA content. One of those courses is NFPA 1403 Live Fire Training Evolutions. This particular course reviews live-burn evolutions and emphasizes the importance of safety and compliance with state regulations, NFPA standards, and local policies established to maintain training effectiveness without compromising safety. In fact, TargetSolutions entire catalog is stuffed with training built to keep personnel safe.
Please click here to see TargetSolutions’ course catalog for emergency responders.
>> According to a study completed by the NFPA, more than 30 percent of firefighters killed since 1990 died from smoke inhalation after running out of air and becoming lost inside a structure fire. Airway management is vital during fire suppression, so it is important to teach personnel to understand their own “rate of consumption” while using SCBA gear.
>> Speaking of SCBA, how often do members race to an emergency without their seat belt? This happens despite the fact the greatest likelihood of a vehicle collision is while responding to an incident. In fact, from 1996-2007, the U.S. Fire Administration reports vehicle collisions claimed 257 firefighters lives and another 53 died after being struck by a vehicle. That’s nearly 25 percent of all firefighter fatalities during that period. Emergency responders can’t help anyone if they are struck by an oncoming vehicle. A recommended solution is parking the truck in position to block the scene from oncoming traffic. Wearing a vest and using flares, cones and warning signs are also effective.
>> Live-fire training is critical to performance, but the majority of training deaths happen during these essential exercises. NFPA 1403: Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions was established following several instances where firefighters lost their lives during training. By educating personnel to this standard, firefighters will have information they need to conduct live fire training in a safe manner.
>> You’ve heard it before — high blood pressure is the fire service’s “silent killer.” It’s no joke that 70 million Americans suffer from hypertension and members of the fire service are especially vulnerable. The United States Fire Administration has reported 44 percent of all firefighter deaths come from heart attacks. The first step to combat this silent killer is identifying it through regular checkups.
Eight Great Tips for Training Your Crew
1. Safety Should Always Come First. Train That Way.
2. Two Steps for Strategizing What Training Comes Next.
3. Train Your Crew to Deliver Exceptional Customer Service.
4. Implement Online Training, Watch Your Department Thrive.
5. The ABCs of Training: Always Be Creative.
6. Utilize Pre-Incident Plans During Teamwork Exercises.
7. Comprehensive Training Records Don’t Just Happen.
8. Situational Awareness Is a Trainable Skill.

‘Go Green’ and Save Resources with TargetSolutions’ Online File-Storing Application

Save resources with TargetSolutions’ web-based file-storing application.

Is your organization looking to eliminate unnecessary waste? TargetSolutions does exactly that with innovative online technology. The platform’s web-based recordkeeping software promotes environmentally-friendly processes that are beneficial to the environment.
TargetSolutions features a virtual file cabinet that provides storage for employee records and organizational resources, including SOPs, new-hire documentation, and other critical items. The password-protected application, called the File Center, alleviates the need for brick and mortar repositories with a centralized, online location, giving employees the ability to access documents 24/7.
In addition to file storage, internal items requiring employee signatures can be assigned, tracked, and recorded with TargetSolutions’ powerful recordkeeping system. E-signatures ensure employees have acknowledged important organizational documents, streamlining operational efficiency.
“The amount of paperwork accumulated from policies, organizational handbooks, and other informational documents distributed to each employee within an organization can be difficult to maintain,” said TargetSolutions’ Kelly Zielinski. “Not only do organizations save money, but with a web-based file center, they reduce human error in processes like delivery, filing, and signature validation.”
If you have any questions about TargetSolutions online file-storing application, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

TargetSolutions to Highlight Value of TS Academy Webinar Series at CAJPA Conference for Risk Management

CAJPA Conference for Risk Management
The 2014 CAJPA Conference for Risk Management hits Lake Tahoe Sept. 16-19 with the theme: “Building Your Bench. Teamwork. Tools. Tactics.”
If you’re headed to Lake Tahoe for the event, make sure to come by booth No. 418 to meet TargetSolutions’ Strategic Risk Management team, which will be answering clients’ questions and offering tips on how to manage risk and reduce liability with web-based training.
“CAJPA is an opportunity for our team to interact with our clients and answer questions they might have about TargetSolutions. It’s also productive for the team to engage with risk managers and safety officers who are looking to learn more about the industry’s most comprehensive web-based catalog of online health and safety training.”
Kelly Zielinski
Manager of Strategic Risk Management Business Unit 
Zielinski said the team in Tahoe will be highlighting the benefits of TargetSolutions’ new initiative: The TS Academy, which is a seven-week webinar series for individuals responsible for managing their organization’s utilization of TargetSolutions. This new program, which kicked off earlier this year, adds tremendous value to clients looking to improve their skills operating the system.
“We will be hosting our fourth and final webinar series for the year in October,” Zielinski said. “With all the success we’ve had, and positive client feedback, we are excited to continue the TargetSolutions Academy in 2015. However, clients who would like to take it this year can sign-up at the booth at CAJPA. We’re excited to discuss the value of this program, which is really here to help platform managers maximize their organization’s utilization.”
After completing the webinar series, participants will be entered into a raffle to win a mini Jambox, Zielinski said.
If you have questions about TargetSolutions, or the upcoming TS Academy, please stop by booth No. 418 at CAJPA, or call (800) 840-8048.
About TargetSolutions
TargetSolutions provides cutting-edge technology, engaging online training courses and world-class customer service. As the leading provider of online safety training for public entities, TargetSolutions enables organizations to maintain compliance, reduce losses, deliver curriculum, and track all tasks, certifications and training activities.