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Archive for March, 2015

New Updates Improve TargetSolutions’ Bulletin Board, File Center and SCORM Capabilities

As new browsers gain popularity, TargetSolutions works to optimize its users’ experiences. TargetSolutions recently completed three projects to make the platform more compatible with Internet Explorer 11, including an update to the Bulletin Board, the File Center, and SCORM functionality.

Bulletin Board
If you work in Internet Explorer 11, you will notice a more engaging WYSIWYG editor inside the Bulletin Board. While still utilizing the original text formatting tools of the old editor, this new functionality has given it more options and simplified the process for inserting pictures and videos.

Platform managers using Internet Explorer 11 are now able to insert videos and images into the Bulletin Board without needing to use HTML code.

“Platform managers will no longer need to enter HTML code to insert an image or a video on the Bulletin Board,” said TargetSolutions Product Manager Misty Pratt. “The HTML source edit option still exists, but there is now the option to turn on a feature called ‘code,’ which allows you to write your HTML edits straight into the board without opening the source window.”

The editor also has the ability to insert special characters, anchors, horizontal lines, time and date. There is a table creation and management tab that lets you build and customize tables within the Bulletin Board.

File Center
The file upload tool inside the File Center is now functioning for platform managers in Internet Explorer 11. This update has changed the order of operations for uploading files into the File Center. Now, files can be added to the queue and then a platform manager clicks the “Start upload” button, rather than the upload starting automatically after being inserted into the queue.

SCORM

In the past, SCORM courses were not able to be completed in Internet Explorer 11 without support from TargetSolutions. Those issues have been corrected and SCORM courses now work in all browsers, including versions 8-11 of Internet Explorer.

 

If you have any questions about these updates, please contact TargetSolutions at (800) 840-8048.

The Top 10 Reports for Fire Department Tracking with TargetSolutions

TargetSolutions features dozens of pre-built activities for fire departments to access, customize, schedule and deliver. Departments can also create their own activities from scratch. Check out 10 of the most popular activities fire departments use to track training and compliance tasks.

TargetSolutions’ Activities Builder provides fire departments with the ability to track mandatory training and compliance tasks. The online fire department training system features pre-built activities for departments to access and deliver, or they can easily create their own and track exactly what they want.

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date information is critical to fire departments everywhere and with TargetSolutions, the process is simplified. Here are 10 of the most popular reports tracked by fire departments using TargetSolutions’ Actvities Builder.

  • EMS Skill Sheets
  • Daily Training
  • Narcotics Log
  • Vehicle Pre-Trip Inspection
  • SCBA Inspection
  • Specialty Training
  • Pre-Training
  • Post-Incident Evaluations
  • Licenses
  • Health & Wellness

Check out the SlideShare for more information on these activities, and be sure to review our fire service training goals infographic. If you have questions about TargetSolutions, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

How TargetSolutions Helps the Fire Service Achieve Its Training Goals: Infographic

With more than 1.1 million firefighters across the country, it’s critical for fire departments to be in compliance. Whether it’s EMS recertification, ISO training hours, licenses, certifications, or anything else related to training, fire departments have their hands full making sure everyone is current.

With that in mind, TargetSolutions features more than 250 hours of fire and EMS continuing education, as well as powerful applications for recordkeeping challenges like ISO. This infographic breaks down how TargetSolutions helps the fire service achieve its training goals.

Meeting mandatory training requirements is critical to fire department operations. Please click here to download this infographic on how TargetSolutions’ fire department training system helps simplify training management for fire departments.

 

Are You Using Pre-Incident Plans During Firefigher Training Exercises?

Pre-Incident Plans
Comprehensive pre-planning reports and training prepare a crew for when they are pressed into action. With TargetSolutions, agencies are able to document training hours spent analyzing local facilities.
Electronic Pre-Incident PlansYou know how important it is to document inspections of your local facilities. Proving these examinations have taken place is critical to your next fire department ISO review.
But pre-plan reports are also great resources for training activities. Simulated training using pre-plans prepares crews for critical challenges they will see when pressed into action.
They can also be tremendous for teamwork exercises. Many departments effectively use pre-plans during training to give their crews a chance to work together as a team. This profession isn’t just about how strong or fast an individual might be. What matters most is how firefighters execute as a team.
By finding training drills and exercises using pre-plans, you’ll have great insight into how people will perform during emergencies.

 

TargetSolutions: The Next Evolutions in Training Management
TargetSolutions comes loaded with pre-built electronic documents for tracking pre-incident plans, ISO compliance, PPE inspections, licenses, and much more. Download this special report to learn more.

 

Required Training Could Be Coming to California’s Security Industry

A recent investigation by San Diego’s NBC 7 could have major ramifications on how security guards are trained across the state.

With many security guards untrained and unlicensed, California State Assemblyman Jim Cooper is working on a bill to clean up the state’s security industry, according to a report from San Diego’s NBC 7. The effort is a result of the news station’s investigation in February, which exposed the industry’s training issues.

“I think (NBC 7’s) story brought some things to light. It was part of the impetus for this bill,” said Cooper, who was speaking about a story on two deaths in San Diego, one where a bouncer was arrested and charged for involuntary manslaughter and the other being a death allegedly caused by a bouncer at a gentleman’s club.

“It’s a problem we’ve seen in San Diego and across the state and nation where security officers have ended up injuring and even killing people. Training is important.”

Jim Cooper, California State Assemblyman (District 9)

On Feb. 26, Cooper introduced a measure, AB 1042, to ensure security guards are properly trained. The language of the bill addresses several key issues – one of which being how security officers who are out of uniform are not legally required to have a license. Also, Cooper is working to ensure that if a security guard receives a “guard card,” they have completed all of the necessary training, which is not always the case, NBC 7 reports.

“We’re working on that right now and that’s why we’re working with the industry,” Cooper said. “Obviously, it’s going to cost them money and we are aware of that.”

Roy Rahn, the executive director of the California Association of Licensed Security Agencies, Guards and Associates (CALSAGA), supports the proposed legislation, according to the station’s report.

“Even though it may cost more money, it’s additional regulation that’s sorely needed – obvious by tragic incidents we’ve recently had,” Rahn said in a statement.

If everything goes according to plan, AB 1042 will be presented to California Gov. Jerry Brown for his signature later this year. For more information on this NBC 7 report, please click here.

To learn how your security force can educate employees with TargetSolutions’ online training system, please click here. TargetSolutions features more than 170 online security training courses, including basic security officer training, emergency situations and workplace violence training, ethics and professional development training, officer safety and survival training, traffic control and vehicle safety training, security management training, security training courses in Spanish, and much more.

 

IAFC’s VCOS Members to Receive Special Discount with TargetSolutions

SAN DIEGO – TargetSolutions, the leading provider of online training and recordkeeping applications for fire departments, is excited to announce it has renewed its partnership with the IAFC’s Volunteer & Combination Officers Section and will be offering a special promotion to members.

Right now, VCOS members who sign up their department for TargetSolutions using their IAFC membership number will receive $500 off set-up fees, plus an additional 10 percent off user fees. This is a tremendous discount for volunteer departments looking to streamline firefighter training hours and achieve compliance with mandatory EMS continuing education requirements.

“We are thankful to have such a strong relationship with the VCOS and we’re happy to make this offer available to its members,” said TargetSolutions’ Executive Vice President Thom Woodward.

“There is no question volunteer departments need to maximize their time spent training. With TargetSolutions, volunteer and combination departments can efficiently deliver fire and EMS recertification courses and track hands-on training and compliance tasks.”

This special promotion for VCOS members cannot be combined with any other offer. Members must be in good standing with the VCOS to receive the discount.

If you are a VCOS member and would like to learn more about this special offer, please click here. If you have any questions, please contact TargetSolutions at (800) 840-8048.

 

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.

Educate Employees with TargetSolutions’ Diet and Nutrition Training

TargetSolutions’ Diet and Nutrition training course provides employees valuable information on how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Obesity is a major concern for many adults in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than one-third of adults classify as “obese.” It’s also true that medical costs for people who are obese are $1,429 more each year than those of normal weight.

These numbers serve as a reminder of just how critical diet and nutrition are to a healthy lifestyle and to helping employees perform in the workplace.

With this in mind, TargetSolutions’ online health and safety training course, “Diet and Nutrition,” provides personnel with valuable information on nutrition, weight control, and physical fitness. The one-hour course features 14 learning modules focused on health tips for preventing disease and consuming proper nutrition.

If you have any questions about TargetSolutions’ online training catalog, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

So Many Chemicals, So Little Time

Blog by Mark Bridges

Battalion Chief/Hazardous Materials Specialist – Retired

What you don’t know, will hurt you! You’ve heard the phrase “high risk, low frequency”?  A new PowerPoint presentation found in Community Resources, “So Many Chemicals, So Little Time,” will help you learn more about how the decisions you make can reduce your chance of getting hurt. This information was presented at Firehouse World in San Diego in January and delivers insight into many different potential dangers and deadly situations we encounter in the fire service.

Do you know the hidden hazards in jewelry stores? Or what’s in that tank on the roof of the dry cleaners? Or why underground electrical vaults are so explosive and dangerous? How about dark chemical bottles exposed to heat and fire?

So Many Chemicals, So Little Time
Firefighters need to always be in learning mode when it comes to dealing with chemicals and hazardous materials.

Most fire department training focuses on the more common emergencies such as EMS and general fire training, including ladders, hose, pumping, etc.  We all have a good handle on that stuff, but what happens when we encounter a smoking electrical vault or some of the other less-frequent emergencies? Do we need to walk right over to the vault and stare inside it?

The short answer is, NO!  When the components and wiring of these vaults heat up, they off-gas or release Acetylene gas, which has a flammable range of 2.5 percent to 81 percent. This is the type of gas that if you look at it funny, you’ll blow up.

So what should you do? Recognize it, rescue nearby victims, cordon off the area and wait for the power company to de-energize it. Then you will consult with them and follow their guidance. Most jewelry stores use Sodium Cyanide – mix that with fire hose water and you get Hydrogen Cyanide, which is the same gas used in gas chambers.

Now, what about the chemical stored on roofs of dry cleaners? That chemical is Perchlorethylene (PERC), which decomposes to Phosgene gas when heated – similar to any chemical containing “Chlorine” or “Chlor” does.  What about the dark bottles? The reason the bottles are dangerous is because they don’t like heat or fire, which is exactly what occurs in any fire situation!  Once heated, the chemicals inside begin to decompose. Then they dry out to form a very unstable material, and can become shock sensitive, or also known to a common person as a small bomb.

These are just a few of the examples of types of things one does not routinely learn or train on. That is why it is important to seek answers and ask experts questions. In the future, consider stopping your engine or truck once in a while when you see a utility truck, or the gas company working, and ask questions – you’ll be amazed at what you learn.

 

About the Author

Mark Bridges presented “So Many Chemicals, So Little Time” during Firehouse World in San Diego in January. Bridges served as battalion chief/hazardous materials specialist with Santa Monica Fire Department in California. He is now retired and can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

How to Comply with AB 1432 Using TargetSolutions

Educators in California can complete TargetSolutions’ Reporting Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Children course to comply with AB 1432.

TargetSolutions has updated its Reporting Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Children course to comply with California Assembly Bill 1432. This new law requires school districts and other educational institutions to annually train employees on their duties under the state’s child abuse reporting laws.

Here are the most frequently asked questions about TargetSolutions’ updates to comply with AB 1432.

Does TargetSolutions’ Online Training Meet the California Department of Education’s AB 1432 Requirement?

Yes. TargetSolutions’ Reporting Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of Children course has been updated to comply with employees’ obligations under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA). CANRA requires all “mandated reporters” to file a report with local law enforcement or county welfare departments when they witness an abuse.

Is This Course Applicable for Educators?

Yes. This course meets the General requirements for all “mandated reporters,” basically any employee who has contact with children. Also, please note additional position specific “mandated reporter” training is available through the California Department of Social Services.

How  Do I Report This Course to the California Department of Education (CDE) as “Alternative Training Provided for Mandatory Reporters”?

The CDE requires each district to report on “mandated reporter” training not provided through the CDSS. Using the CDE form, TargetSolutions has pre-filled in the course description section for you to use as a template. Please click here to download the template and make your edits before sending to the CDE.

If you have any questions about TargetSolutions’ updates to comply with CA AB 1432, please contact us at (800) 840-8048.

TargetSolutions’ Customizable Learning Tracks Make Delivering Job-Specific Training a Cinch

No matter what type of work an employee performs, you can use TargetSolutions to deliver and track job-specific training assignments.

Do your employees have different training requirements? Do you find it difficult managing all the different responsibilities and expirations tied to training?

TargetSolutions’ online training management system features customizable Learning Tracks built to meet your needs. With more than 1,000 online training courses, you can find the training you need to create job-specific bundles (or use TargetSolutions’ pre-built packages) for the various roles in your organization.

Here are just some of the Learning Tracks you can deliver to employees:

Computer Technicians Fleet Workers Maintenance Workers
Custodians Food Servers & Cooks School Employees (Principles, Teachers, etc.)
Electrical Workers Lab Workers Warehouse Workers

These are just some of the professions available. With TargetSolutions you can customize pre-made packages of online safety courses and electronic compliance reports to create learning tracks that meet your employees’ needs.

If you have any questions about TargetSolutions’ online training management system, please contact us today (800) 840-8048.