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Archive for August, 2016

TargetSolutions’ Water Industry Mathematics Applied Training Course Receives Complete Overhaul

Sporting new interactions and updated content, Water Industry Mathematics Applied is a must for water industry professionals.

TargetSolutions’ Water Industry Mathematics Applied training course, a continuation of Water Industry Mathematics Basics, has received a complete makeover in appearance and content. Highlighted updates include enhanced interactions, optimized content and information, and a brand new voiceover narration soundtrack.

The lesson is presented in TargetSolutions’ recently upgraded course wrapper and features nine learning modules and a 10-question exam.

The roadmap of the course begins with a review of the order of operations and then dives into various concepts and calculations that will be found on the job. Concepts reviewed in the course include average daily flow, overflow rate, diurnal flow, and sand filter calculations.

Additionally, some of the course objectives include the following:

  • The definition of key mathematical terms
  • Basic mathematical concepts in domestic and industrial water problem settings
  • How to perform diurnal calculations based on diurnal graphs
  • How to execute proper well operation calculations

Please visit TargetSolutions’ online training catalog to explore the complete library of continuing education for water and wastewater personnel. And if you have any questions, please contact us today at (800) 840-8046.

The Top 10 Reasons for Implementing Online Training at Your Organization

This slideshow explains the top 10 ways organizations are benefiting from implementing online training for their workforce.

There was a time when people frowned at the very thought of interactive online training. The newfangled process was just too different than the customary old-school approach for normal classroom-style training, they thought.

In fact, a few years ago TargetSolutions conducted a survey that determined 22 percent of respondents were hesitant to implement online training at their organization. More recently, that number dropped to 18 percent in a different survey.

10-reasons-municipalities-trainingBut as society grows more dependent and comfortable with technology, the percentage of detractors will only decrease. Especially when organizations learn the various ways they can benefit by implementing the right computer-based system.

Here are the top 10 ways agencies are benefiting from TargetSolutions’ online training courses and applications:

  • Achieving compliance with mandatory training requirements
  • Making training more convenient
  • Realizing valuable cost savings
  • Educating employees on safety and reducing liability
  • Increasing comprehension of training material
  • Ensuring training has been delivered
  • Creating alert notifications for upcoming assignments
  • Generating detailed training reports and tracking progress
  • Combining training with important and relevant policies
  • Going mobile and reducing carbon footprint

Check the slideshow above for more details on these benefits. And if you would like more information about TargetSolutions online training catalog, please contact us today at (800) 840-8046.

New Audio Track Added to TargetSolutions’ School Bus Behavior and Discipline Training Course

TargetSolutions’ School Bus Behavior and Discipline training course outlines safety principles and discipline management in a school bus setting.

TargetSolutions has added a brand new voiceover audio track to its School Bus Behavior and Discipline training course.

The online course, comprised of 11 learning modules and a 10-question exam, approaches the subject of school bus behavior and discipline from a team perspective, which includes the collective cooperation of drivers, school employees, students and parents.

Topics of the course include:

  • Managing students of differing ages, needs, and abilities, including those with special needs
  • Effective behavior management
  • Methods of communication
  • Common bus rules and policies
  • Strategies to avoid and resolve conflict

To learn more about TargetSolutions’ online course catalog, please contact us today at (800) 840-8048.

Meet the Team: Get to Know Client Services Representative Tomasita Butler

Tomasita_ButlerTargetSolutions’ Account Specialist Tomasita Butler is very familiar with the fire service. After all, her father is a retired fire captain. Maybe that’s why she has fit in so comfortably at TargetSolutions where we serve public agencies of all types.

After joining TargetSolutions’ Client Services team in March of 2016, Tomasita has worked hard to provide customers with outstanding support.

“This has been an amazing opportunity for me and the position has everything that I was looking for and then some,” said Tomasita, who is from the small town of Shandon, Calif. “I feel lucky to be here. It’s really interesting and I keep learning new things every day, so it’s been a great learning experience.”

One interesting fact about Tomasita is that her hometown in San Luis Obispo County was so small growing up, there were no stoplights. In fact, they would have to drive into town to get gas, she said.

Check out this Q-and-A to learn more about Tomasita Butler:

Favorite food:

Hamburgers! And sushi… I can’t just have one.

Have you been out of the country?

Cabo for my honeymoon.

Signature dish (cooking):

Steak with roasted brussel sprouts with bacon and white rice. My fav!

Favorite season of the year:

Christmas!

Favorite genre of music:

Rock.

If you didn’t live in San Diego, where would you live?

Seattle.

Palm trees and beach or greenery and rivers?

Greenery and rivers.

Favorite actor:

Tom Hanks.

What is your best talent?

Photography.

Favorite movie:

There’s far too many, but one of my favorites is Father of the Bride.

 

Community Resources Features Highly Rated Video on Tile Roof Operations for Firefighters

TargetSolutions’ Featured Resource of the Month for August is the video “Tile Roof Operations,” which focuses on the importance of rooftop ventilation when approaching structure fires topped with tile roofs.

“Tile Roof Operations” is a five-star video inside Community Resources that focuses on best practices for rooftop ventilation and how to approach structure fires topped with tile roofs.

Fire departments from around the country will find value in this month’s featured video inside Community Resources. “Tile Roof Operations,” a six-minute video produced by the City of Surprise Fire Department in Arizona, demonstrates tactical approach considerations and vertical ventilation techniques when tackling residential fires.

Captain Randy Fressetto, Ladder Co. 305, cites the increasing amount of synthetic materials used in homes and the subsequently high BTUs resulting in a need for roof operations. Because of this, rooftop ventilation should be a key tactical consideration early on during a fire incident, the video says.

Following an overview of commonly used roof tiles and smoke analysis, the video then features a complete evolution of a tile roof operation. With more than 1,000 views and a perfect five-star rating, “Tile Roof Operations” is currently in use by 25 organizations utilizing TargetSolutions.

Here are some comments about the valuable training video:

“Great training video. A great learning tool and info given in 6 minutes.”
George Gardiner, City of Charleston Fire Department

“Great job. Good information and great training.”
Sean Yohe, Goodyear Fire Department

“Great training video for tile roofs.”
John Leonard, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District

To view this video, please search for “Tile Roof Operations” under the Community Resources tab inside TargetSolutions’ online training management system. And if you have any questions, please contact us today at (800) 840-8048.

Enhanced Enterprise Functionality Highlights TargetSolutions’ Appearance at Fire-Rescue International

If you are interested in learning how your training group can work more cohesively, stop by booth No. 21102 at Fire-Rescue International for a live demonstration.

One of the most exciting events of the year is fast approaching. Just in time for TargetSolutions to feature one of its most recent enhancements: Enterprise for the Fire Service.

Fire-Rescue International 2016 TargetSolutions will be at booth No. 21102 during the conference in San Antonio, Texas. Here are the exhibit hall hours:
Friday, Aug. 19: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 20: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The upgraded functionality, which enables regional training groups to work together more effectively, will be on display during Fire-Rescue International.

TargetSolutions will be demonstrating the power of this application, as well as its complete suite of fire department training tools, at booth No. 21102 when the exhibit hall opens Aug. 19 in San Antonio, Texas.

“FRI is an awesome opportunity for current customers and prospects who are interested in TargetSolutions to learn about the benefits of Enterprise,” said Product Manager Misty Pratt. “This application has been upgraded to make collaboration between connected agencies more effective. If your department relies on mutual aid, TargetSolutions’ Enterprise can bring you together to streamline training, centralize resources and standardize operations.”

Another item on display at FRI will be AlphaACT® FIRE’s scenario-based training courses. Earlier this year, TargetSolutions partnered with AlphaTRAC Products to deliver this dynamic training on the TargetSolutions platform. These courses provide a unique training experience built to help firefighters improve their decision-making skills.

alphaact-fire-logoWhile the chance to provide attendees with more information about Enterprise and AlphaACT® FIRE’s training library – plus several new courses coming to TargetSolutions’ course library – is at the top of TargetSolutions’ priority list, it’s not the only reason to stop by the booth, said Regional Sales Manager Kegan Konrady.

“We know many of our clients will be in attendance and we love the opportunity to meet face to face with them and answer their questions about the platform,” Konrady said.

Here are some of the topics TargetSolutions will be discussing with attendees during FRI:

  • How to schedule, deliver and track ISO training hours
  • How to manage licenses, inspections, policies, etc.
  • How to manage task books and post-incident reports
  • How to achieve compliance with mandatory EMS requirements
  • How to document daily training drills and activities

“This is one of the premier events on our calendar. The exhibit hall is a tremendous opportunity to learn about the industry’s newest technology and to meet one-on-one with customers and other agencies interested in TargetSolutions. We’re happy to provide live demos. Everyone is welcome at the booth.”

Kegan Konrady, Regional Sales Manager, TargetSolutions

In addition to the face-time with customers and prospects, TargetSolutions is thrilled to present the 2016 Training Officer Recognition Award to Steve Malone of Manhattan Fire Protection District in Illinois.

TargetSolutions has sponsored this award in combination with the International Association of Fire Chief’s (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) for each of the last three years. Malone will accept the honor during a special ceremony for VCOS members on Aug. 18.

If you have any questions about TargetSolutions, please stop by booth No. 21102 during exhibit hours or call us at (800) 840-8046.

New Course Breaks Down Targeted Violence and How to Respond When the Unthinkable Happens

TargetSolutions’ Targeted Violence Considerations training course explores the threat of violence and how to adopt a survival mindset.

TargetSolutions has released a new interactive training course on how to handle targeted violence situations. Targeted Violence Considerations consolidates statistics and FBI studies to analyze why shooting events happen and how to adopt a survival mindset.

“Unfortunately, more and more these days we are seeing news coverage regarding Active Shooter situations worldwide,” said TargetSolutions Client Services Manager Jen Jones. “Knowing how to respond in an Active Shooter situation can be the difference between life and death.

“TargetSolutions’ new course, ‘Targeted Violence Considerations,’ provides valuable information regarding what to do in an Active Shooter situation. It can be used in conjunction with your organization’s Active Shooter resources to prepare your team.”

Topics of discussion in this course include:

  • Profile of active shooters
  • Preparing for targeted violence
  • Describing the targeted violence environment
  • Components of an action plan
  • Adopting the survival mindset
  • Interacting with first responders

Although fear and confusion are understandable during such a scenario, there are countermeasures that can be taken to escape a situation, including trying to escape, hide, and in some cases, even fight back. The No. 1 goal of this course, however, is to educate personnel on how to be as safe as possible when the unthinkable happens.

This 10-lesson course features a 10-question exam.

For more information on this course or others in TargetSolutions’ online course library, please contact TargetSolutions at (800) 840-8048.

Streamline Your Local Government’s Training with TargetSolutions’ Enterprise Functionality

With TargetSolutions, agencies can enjoy their own autonomy, but managers at the city, county or municipality can still oversee training and compliance of associated sites.

Does your local government struggle to streamline training across the various departments that operate in your region?

That struggle is over.

With TargetSolutions’ enhanced Enterprise functionality, consolidating multi-department training is efficient and effective. The industry’s leading online training management system has been upgraded with new capabilities for local governments.

The platform is built so local governments can assign training and tasks to users in associated sites, run reports on completed training and compliance activities, and share files and training resources. Meanwhile, each individual agency can manage its own specific training requirements on their own sites.

With TargetSolutions, your local government will be able to do the following:

  • Deliver mandatory city-wide training proven to reduce liability
  • Track and report results of all assignments and tasks
  • Enable departments to manage and customize their own training

With more than 1,000 online training courses, including more than 250 hours of Fire and EMS recertification, more than 240 law enforcement courses, and hundreds of hours of training for public works, OSHA, human resources, and much more, TargetSolutions provides public entities with the versatility they need to satisfy all of their training needs.

To learn more about TargetSolutions and how its Enterprise functionality can help streamline training for your local government, please contact us today at (800) 840-8046.

Computer Security Awareness Is Critical for Everyone in the 21st Century

If it’s never happened to you, consider yourself lucky. Having your computer compromised, whether it be malicious software, phishing scams, identity theft, or loss of data, are commonplace in today’s online landscape.

This modern reality is why computer security should be understood by every user. And it’s also why not comprehending these issues can lead to significant harm and even theft of personal and financial information.

With that in mind, TargetSolutions offers an online “Computer Security Awareness” training course, which is a 30-minute overview featuring 10 learning modules and a 10-question exam.

“Most of us rely on computer technology and the information contained and transmitted by computers for both work and personal use. That’s why it’s critical every user understand the dangers that are lurking in the online world.”

Jennifer Jones, Account Manager, TargetSolutions

“TargetSolutions’ online training course addresses these threats and educates personnel on steps for preventing an incident,” said Jones.

The course, which is self-paced and appropriate for all industries, covers possible threats, viruses, spyware and e-mail security, among other things.

“The course examines the importance of a strong password,” Jones said. “Having a unique password is something we all have heard about, but taking this step is really worth the time and effort.”

For more information on this course or others like it in TargetSolutions’ online training catalog, please contact us today at (800) 840-8046.