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How Oklahoma City Fire Department Powered Itself to Top ISO Classification with TargetSolutions

Class 1 ISO Rating

Using TargetSolutions for more than a year has paid dividends for the Oklahoma City Fire Department as it now boasts the prestigious Class 1 ISO Rating.

When discussing the future of training in the fire service and how technology plays a part, Chief Keith Bryant of the Oklahoma City Fire Department put it very simply: “This is the future.”

Prior to implementing TargetSolutions in January of 2016, Bryant and his staff were unanimous in selecting the powerful management software as a go-to solution for all of its training needs. Needless to say, the results were almost immediate.

Gone are the days of battalion chiefs having to ascend through mountainous summits of paperwork. We’ve entered an era of streamlined recordkeeping that has culminated into the highly coveted Class 1 ISO rating for the full-service metro department with TargetSolutions’ ISO Training Tracker.

“Our training records are much improved so we’re better at capturing training at the station level than ever before,” Bryant said of his department’s Class 1 ISO rating. “It’s one of those pieces of technology that makes us better at what we do. This was something we needed for a long time and we’ve seen immediate improvements.”

“The mass data that you have to collect and give to ISO for their rating, that’s more readily available. With TargetSolutions it’s better, more accurate.”

Chief Keith Bryant, Oklahoma City Fire Department

Consisting of 877 uniformed firefighters, the Oklahoma City Fire Department responds to more than 70,000 annual calls, 70 percent of which are medical emergencies. However, even as fires continue to decline, the need for consistent quality training has never been higher. Complacency, an all too familiar foe, threatens to set in if firefighters aren’t consistently training to sharpen their skills during downtime.

“The less we do our jobs, the more we need to train,” declared Bryant.

Program Analyst and Business Manager Clint Regier, who aids in managing the department’s use of TargetSolutions, echoed a similar sentiment and stressed the need for a program that personnel would buy into.

“We have control over what it looks like, what we put in there, how we build activities,” Regier said. “The selling point of TargetSolutions is that it’s easy to use and easy to modify and there’s a lot of flexibility in the platform.”

To assist in the transition as well as working toward a Class 1 ISO rating, Regier developed a comprehensive three-point plan that was geared to maximize every facet of the platform.

Class 1 ISO ratingPoint 1 – Full-time Recordkeeping: Ensure that everything that needs to be recorded is indeed tracked. Rig inspections, physical fitness, training activities; employees need to be accountable for tasks they’re expected to do.

Point 2 – Training Strategy: Create and implement a training strategy utilizing the various avenues provided by the platform. This is an ongoing process and while Regier maintains that there is still a ways to go, the ability to track and record data as well as delivering information is vastly improved.

Point 3 – Intermittent Tracking: As with every department, special circumstances will always pop up. For example, the department employs two fitness trainers who help employees achieve their health goals; this needs to be tracked.

“There are so many different variables and situations (firefighters) prepare for,” said Regier. “The training that’s required to understand those different situations and the availability of the information to pick it up whenever they need to know it, having a platform like TargetSolutions to get that information in front of their eyes in an instant is going to be critical to the evolution of firefighting.”

Seeking buy-in from a department of nearly 1,000 personnel to enter a brave new world of technological innovation is no easy task. Despite this obstacle, both Bryant and Regier reported a smooth transition and positive reception.

“Obviously there were some people who were skeptical in the beginning,” said Regier. “But every time someone walks down to administration, I’ll ask them how it’s going and 100 percent across the board everyone says it took a minute, but once they realized they’re putting everything in there, it’s really easy for them to use.”

Drawing on his nearly 40 years of experience in the fire service, Bryant views the future of firefighter training as a reflection of the past. “You’ve never seen a major event here in this country that didn’t initiate a lesson learned or something that we had to change with our training methods or practices,” said Bryant. “I can only speak for Oklahoma City, but our approach to firefighting is smarter now than we’ve ever been and a lot of that has to do with the escalation and use of technology in our work.

“Obviously, training and education, I have to put those two together, as they’ve been a great part of that.”

President Donald Trump recently announced his intent to appoint Chief Bryant as head of the U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency that oversees federal firefighting programs.

 

Manage Hazard Warning Labels with TargetSolutions’ New Online SDS Management System

TargetSolutions’ new online SDS Management System helps you manage your chemical and safety data sheets across your entire agency so you can comply with important OSHA and GHS requirements. Fill out the form below to request a demo!

When using chemicals in the workplace, whether they are common cleaning solutions or potentially hazardous chemicals handled by first responders, safety should always be the first priority.

Managing safety data sheets through paper binders makes updating warning labels and communicating procedures a lengthy and difficult process – especially in the case of an emergency.

TargetSolutions’ new online SDS Management System helps organizations modernize their SDS collection. Using the online platform, you can achieve safety compliance with improved communication and faster execution of OSHA requirements.

“This functionality is built to help ensure safety,” said TargetSolutions’ Director of Product Jennifer Jones. “Managing your SDS system with TargetSolutions gives you the ability to communicate and access important information more quickly. Virtual collections ultimately improve understanding of different chemical procedures and reduce risk in the workplace.”

Here are some of the key benefits of TargetSolutions’ online SDS Management System:

  • Easily create and update SDS collections. Administrators have access to thousands of safety data sheets from the manufacturers of commonly used chemicals and can even upload their existing SDSs to the system.
  • Quickly produce necessary secondary labels to identify chemicals and containers with hazard warnings and pictograms. According to OSHA requirements, chemical binders must be organized by work area. With TargetSolutions’ online SDS management, organizations can efficiently access labels and comply with OSHA’s regulations.
  • Add the same SDSs from the Collections tab to the appropriate locations. This helps organize SDSs that are relevant to multiple locations.

Streamline SDS Collections with Easy to Use Online System
By utilizing TargetSolutions’ new SDS system, agencies can change information in virtual binders. Items can be shared instantly. Agencies can also oversee communication by adding as many administrators as necessary and controlling their editing abilities in the system.

“In addition to better communication between administrators, the web-based system is more accessible to users through mobile devices,” Jones said. “Personnel can directly look up safety data sheets with the platform’s search feature or scan location-specific posters with QR codes. These functionalities give agencies greater access to their chemical library and provide valuable information to first responders in the case of a chemical-related emergency.”

If you would like a demo of the new system, please fill out the form above. Also, please note this product is currently unavailable through TargetSolutions in the state of California.

If you would like more information about the SDS Management System, please contact us today at (800) 840-8048.

St. Tammany Fire District 9’s Michael Accardo III Selected as Winner of 2017 Training Officer Recognition Award

SAN DIEGO – TargetSolutions, the leading provider of computer-based training management applications for fire departments, and the International Association of Fire Chief’s (IAFC) Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) announced today that Michael Accardo III of the St. Tammany Fire District 9 (STFD9) has been selected as the winner of the 2017 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award.

Chief Michael Accardo

2017 VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award Winner Michael Accardo III

Accardo, a chief of training and safety for the combination department located in Bush, La., never expected to receive this type of recognition for his work. After years of dedicating himself to the betterment of his department, he reacted with the sort of humility you would expect from a 20-year veteran of the fire service.

“I don’t think I do more than anyone else does. I enjoy what I do. I enjoy helping people,” said Accardo, who is scheduled to accept the honor July 27 during the annual VCOS meeting at Fire-Rescue International in Charlotte, N.C.

Accardo was surprised to learn he would be receiving this prestigious recognition. But for Fire Chief Scott Brewer, the selection made perfect sense. Brewer lauded Accardo for his dedication and innovation after leading the charge to transform his department’s training facility from run-of-the-mill into first-class.

“He got the training building donated, moved it here, plumbed and powered it and then filled it with training aids from grants, donations or by buying it himself,” Brewer wrote when nominating Accardo. “He went out every night for a year and learned how to be an EMT instructor. He had STFD9 certified as an ‘institute of higher learning’ so we could teach EMT and EMR to our members and those of local departments at no charge.”

“(Accardo) has worked harder than anyone I’ve ever known to give our small rural combination department the very best training opportunity for its members (and those of our neighbors) at no charge – ever!”

Fire Chief Scott Brewer, St. Tammany Fire District 9

The VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award aims to honor exemplary conduct befitting of a training officer, which Accardo has demonstrated in spades. Nonetheless, he’s quick to return whatever praise he receives back to his crew members.

“I could not have completed the project without help from everyone at our department,” said Accardo, who started as a volunteer firefighter in the 1990s, when firefighter training requirements were far different than they are today.

“I try to make (training) educational and also entertaining,” he said. “Every Tuesday we have a training class and average 20 to 25 volunteers who show up. We just keep adding to it and I try to work around everybody’s schedule. Nights, weekends, whenever.”

Always trying to think of new ways to help his fellow firefighters, it seems the criterion for the VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award was written with Accardo in mind.

“You do what you can with what you got, and if you don’t have it, you try to build itTraining Officer Recognition Award,” said Accardo, who also serves as coordinator for St. Tammany’s Youth Fire Corps (YFC) programwhich provides an opportunity to involve the children of the department’s volunteer on-call members. Aiding in public education and community events, such as the annual United Way Red Beans ‘N Rice Cook-Off where proceeds raised support the St. Tammany Suicide Prevention & Crisis Response Program, these rookies acquire leadership, decision-making, and practical hands-on skills while the program develops them into full-fledged St. Tammany firefighters by the time they’re 18. “The Youth Fire Corps members are the future of our department,” said Accardo.

This marks the fourth year in a row TargetSolutions and the VCOS teamed up to present the prestigious honor, which is designated each year for an individual who goes above and beyond to demonstrate innovation in firefighter training. Capt. Chip Everett of Oshtemo Township Fire Department (Mich.), Asst. Chief Brad Pinsky of Manlius Fire Department (N.Y.) and Deputy Chief Steve Malone of the Manhattan Fire Protection District (Ill.) won the award in previous years.

Accardo will receive a trip to Charlotte for FRI, which is scheduled July 26-29, including round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations, as well as a plaque commemorating the award.

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 4,000 organizations across the country using TargetSolutions’ innovative technology to solve their training challenges. For more information on TargetSolutions, check online at www.targetsolutions.com.

About IAFC’s VCOS

VCOS provides chiefs and chief officers who manage volunteers within a volunteer or combination fire, rescue or EMS delivery system with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism. For more information, check online at www.vcos.org/.

Streamline Incident Reporting with TargetSolutions’ New Accident Tracking System

In March 2020, TargetSolutions announced the release of Vector EHS Management, a powerful tool for online safety management. Using Vector EHS Management, your agency can simplify all parts of accident tracking and incident management. Learn about this exciting new application.

TargetSolutions’ incident reporting system delivers an online tool for public entities to manage work-related accidents and injuries. The system features dynamic dashboards and reports that provide valuable data to help you prevent future incidents and manage risk. Fill out the form below to request a demo.

When an employee is injured or involved in an accident while on the job, multiple reports are often required to recount the details for different organizational and OSHA purposes. Then, it is up to the organization to act as quickly as possible to handle the situation and mitigate future risk.

That process can now be streamlined.

Introducing TargetSolutions’ new Accident Tracking system, which simplifies incident reporting for faster response times and more timely filing.

The Accident Tracking system is built to improve your organization’s ability to sufficiently document and manage accidents. The program consolidates reports, makes filing claims easier with electronic forms and provides analytics for administrators.

“Communication is everything when it comes to incident reporting,” said TargetSolutions’ Product Manager Jen Jones. “The Accident Tracking System’s centralized reporting maintains crucial information in one accessible place for personnel. Filing forms in a single electronic location can help eliminate redundancies and potential discrepancies between accident details.”

Once a report is created, administrators are notified by e-mail, which allows supervisors to address the situation immediately. Additionally, administrators can automatically populate report information in the system to another state, OSHA, and insurance forms. Generating reports compliant to multiple standards makes the claims process faster and allows involved individuals to move past the situation sooner.

Here are some of the benefits and features of TargetSolutions’ new Accident Tracking system:

  • Submit reports and electronic forms conveniently from any web-enabled device
  • Create reports on mobile devices, which reduces paperwork and allows them to be processed closer to when the actual incident took place
  • Provide accurate reporting data with powerful tracking functionality
  • Upload photos and eliminate loss of information by reporting details in real-time

Be Proactive in Managing Risk with Incident Reporting Technology

The system provides decision makers with the ability to review incident reporting data and perform a simple trend analysis to identify patterns in accidents or injuries. For instance, if a particular machine or piece of equipment is causing repeat injuries, refresher training can be delivered to ensure proper utilization. Or decision makers will know the equipment needs to be updated with something safer.

Improve Safety Compliance with One Insightful, Efficient and Affordable System

Incident reporting is faster and easier with automated e-mail notifications and mobile-ready forms to report at the scene of the accident. In addition to the ability to handle current incidents, the Accident Tracking tool can help prevent future incidents with data analyses that lead to proactive decisions for an organization.

If you would like a demo of the new system, please fill out the form above. Also, please note this product is currently unavailable through TargetSolutions in the state of California.

If you would like more information about the Accident Tracking system, please contact us online or by phone (800) 840-8048.

Top 5 Requirements for an Effective Firefighter Training Program

It’s critical for every fire department to implement and operate an effective firefighter training program. Here are five critical firefighter requirements for developing a successful strategy.

Saving lives, cost reduction, improved efficiency. All serve as the pinnacle goals of fire department training officers everywhere. But how do you get there? Where do you even begin when taking on the mammoth task of creating a firefighter training program?

The truth is there is no simple cut-and-dry solution, but there are options available. With that in mind, here are the top 5 requirements for an effective firefighter training program.

Implement a Learning Management System (LMS)

Gone are the days of tracking training and credentialing on a spreadsheet. That sort of archaic recordkeeping will skyrocket costs and burn through daylight, leaving your training officers flustered and your expenses high. The learning management system is an online hub that can centralize and streamline your department’s training and recordkeeping. TargetSolutions’ learning management system is the fire service’s leading provider of online training and records management and the perfect implementation for any effective firefighter training program.

Custom Content Creation

Why is relevant custom content important for firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics when training? Because it builds knowledge for critical life or death situations where the outcome will require skilled first responders who can act on a moment’s notice. Recertification compliance, ISO documentation, and best daily practices for training are just a few of the custom content options that will help bolster your effective firefighter training program.

Plan & Follow Through

You wouldn’t sail across the ocean without a map and likewise you’ll need direction if your effective firefighter training program is going to succeed. Write out a roadmap of where you envision your department and what your goals are. Budget accordingly and be prepared for an eventful transition.

Health & Wellness

Both are hot topics in EMS and the fire service. Cancer, heart and lung disease are just a few of the ailments affecting firefighters everywhere. Part of the epidemic is due to the toxicity of modern fires, but an unhealthy diet and lifestyle can be just as dangerous. The addition of a health & wellness plan into your effective training program will keep your battalion happy, healthy, and at the top of their games.

Employ a Training Officer

For your effective firefighter training program to succeed, there must be a face to the LMS just as their needs to be someone who personnel can go to for direction and assistance. Usually this is a training officer, but whoever it is needs to demonstrate mastery in the system for when issues or questions arise.

firefighter training program

As the industry’s ultimate training solution, TargetSolutions is proud to provide remedies for the items above. No goal is too great and no task is too small. Fire instructor and subject matter expert Paul Costello, FF/EMT-P, writer and director of the recently released NFPA 1410 Evolutions bundle of courses, summarized the list rather elegantly:

“Report generation that yields real-time data? Got it. Need to verify ISO compliance? Done in minutes with accuracy,” Costello said. “TargetSolutions easily tracks any credentialing need, as well as the requisite recertification progress for every major credential that the fire service or EMS requires as part of their reviews, not to mention the cadre of SMEs who are constantly creating and refining our accredited content.”

For more information on how TargetSolutions can help your fire department achieve its training goals, please contact us today at (800) 840-8046.

National Safety Month 2017: Courses That Help Public Entities Reduce Liability and Increase Safety

National Safety Week 2017

In honor of National Safety Month 2017, TargetSolutions is highlighting a collection of its most popular safety courses in various fields.

Preparedness is the key to personal safety and the safety of others. To respond as effectively as possible to an emergency, or mitigate everyday risk, one must be prepared and understand proper procedures. This can range from getting enough sleep to avoid fatigue to preparing for active shooters.

National Safety Month 2017 brings awareness to these prevention tactics during each week of June:

Week One: Stand Up to Falls

Week Two: Recharge to Be in Charge

Week Three: Prepare for Active Shooters

Week Four: Don’t Just Sit There

As safety compliance is a priority for those serving communities, each industry has its own unique protocol to prevent accidents and injury. In honor of National Safety Month 2017, we’re highlighting some of TargetSolutions’ most popular safety courses in various fields.

Fire: Fire Service Health and Safety

While physical disease and behavioral disorders may affect firefighters differently than civilians, it’s important to recognize firefighter wellness and how it’s developed into an issue. Fire Service Health and Safety is specific to firefighter ailments and discusses the importance of being proactive when dealing with common diseases and causes of death.

Users taking the course will explore preventative measures to reduce risk such as safe driving to avoid crashes and keeping in good physical shape to prevent cardiac disease.

OSHA & Compliance: Bloodborne Pathogens SafetyNational Safety Month 2017

Ensure your team is compliant with OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act with TargetSolutions’ Bloodborne Pathogens Safety course. This 20-module course is one of TargetSolutions’ most widely utilized across numerous industries.

Upon completing the course, learners will better understand what bloodborne pathogens are, how to minimize exposure and protect workers from infection.

Motor Vehicle Safety: Driver Safety OrientationNational Safety Week 2017

Traffic accidents are a leading cause of incidental deaths among U.S. workers. To ensure best driving safety practices, this course delivers information to aid employees in operating vehicles safely.

Driving Safety Orientation delivers tips on avoiding collisions, sharing the road with motorcycles and how to act in emergency situations.

Law Enforcement: Firearm Safety in the Home

Officers undergo extensive training to keep neighborhoods safe, but Firearm Safety in the Home assists officers in also maintaining safety at home. This course describes the potential dangers faced by family members with a duty firearm in the house and how to prevent injury.

After completing the course, officers will be able to make more informed decisions on how to create a safer environment in their home and the community.

Human Resources: General Office ErgonomicsNational Safety Week 2017

Improve workplace safety by understanding the physical and psychological stresses of the work environment. General Office Ergonomics deepens learner’s understanding of ergonomic principles and musculoskeletal disorders. Through this course, users will be able to minimize workplace injuries by performing workstation evaluations, applying safe practices and using good form while on the job.

Water and Wastewater: Ladder and Scaffolding Safety

While the first week of National Safety Month 2017 is dedicated to Stand Up to Falls, there is also an entire month dedicated to ladder safety. This is because complying with safety procedures is crucial for employees regularly using ladders and scaffolding.

The TargetSolutions Ladder and Scaffolding Safety course is mandatory for personnel utilizing this type of equipment and goes over: the use and placement of different ladder types, necessary equipment and criteria for accessing scaffolding.

School Districts: Food Safety, Foodborne Illness & Kitchen Sanitation

It’s important for those working in schools to protect students and staff from preventable, common foodborne illnesses. The Food Safety, Foodborne Illness & Kitchen Sanitation course explains the legal responsibilities concerning food safety, food preparation and how to ensure food item deliveries are received safely.

Requiring this course reduces the risk of injury or illness for schools and reduces school liability.

EMS Continuing Education: First Responder Operations Level Refresher (Modules 1 – 4)

This four-part series provides comprehensive lessons in hazardous material response in emergencies.

National Safety Week 2017

Responding to chemical crises, such as a terrorist attack, requires a deeper understanding of chemical types, decontamination and how to assess the risk of each hazard class. After taking this course, users will be able to identify and respond more effectively to these urgent situations.

National Safety Month 2017 focuses on what you can do to better prepare yourself and those around you to prevent accidents and respond to emergencies. Regardless of the industry, TargetSolutions offers courses that improve safety compliance and develop the skills to protect personnel.

For questions about these courses or other courses in TargetSolutions’ online training catalog, contact us today (800) 840-8048!

Cherry Hill Fire Department Earned Class 1 ISO Rating; TargetSolutions Will Help the Agency Keep It

Fire department iso rating

Cherry Hill Fire Department earned the highly coveted Class 1 fire department ISO rating on its own but has since turned to TargetSolutions’ online training system to help keep it.

When the Cherry Hill Fire Department in the Cherry Hill Township of New Jersey received a Class 1 fire department ISO rating – the highest possible classification achievement for such an entity – it knew keeping it would be easier said than done. Simply reaching that elusive mark was a monumental task that took countless amounts of man hours and money to organize all of the documentation that was required.

That’s why the department turned to TargetSolutions. When all was said and done, one of the momentous benefits of implementing such a platform is simplifying otherworldly challenges, such as ISO audits, into straightforward everyday tasks.

Just talk to Lieutenant William Riess, who regularly champions modern methods to track and manage fire department records and found TargetSolutions and its ISO Training Tracker to be the answer.

“That was the selling point. We know what we went through,” said Riess when recalling all the work that went into earning the Class 1. “All of what we just went through is alleviated by going with TargetSolutions.”

Manned by a force of 200 firefighters, EMTs, and civilian support staff, Cherry Hill Fire Department provides round-the-clock service to more than 70,000 residents and 4,000 businesses. Beginning with a trial of the platform last September, the department made TargetSolutions its official training management software this past January and hasn’t looked back.

“We were using about a dozen different programs to capture what TargetSolutions dofire department iso ratinges for us in one,” said Riess. “The feedback across the department is that they love the program. It’s taken less time out of their day.”

“It’s empowering to a degree where it gives back to the workers that it’s their training. It doesn’t come from the department. It doesn’t have to. It allows them more opportunities to be creative.”

Since implementing the platform, Cherry Hill hasn’t been shy about maximizing the numerous abilities of the system. Customizing content, tracking various training and instructor documentation, and employing a barrage of credentials are just a few of the features that Cherry Hill routinely capitalizes on. “When I sold this program to our chiefs, I said this program right now is a 10. What I think we’ll be able to accomplish in the first year or two is a three. That alone is where we already were as an ISO 1 department.” said Riess. “We can not only maintain that, but we can surpass the level of being a Class 1 department and improve our tracking documentation.”

Riess is currently serving as an administrator for the Burlington County Regional Training Alliance (BCRTA), an enterprise group focused on bringing regional departments together in an effort to simplify training and embrace camaraderie. As has been his experience with TargetSolutions thus far, Riess wants to promote the notion of maximizing the platform for every member of the Alliance as a way to best serve their communities. As Riess has powered through the various platform features since last year, he is confident in what the Alliance will provide to the region.

“I know this is going to work,” he said.

See what else customers are saying about TargetSolutions and what more the platform can do for you. To learn more about how you can improve your fire department ISO rating, please contact us with any questions at (800) 840-8048.

EMS Basic Airway Management, Cardiac Emergencies, and Patient Assessment Courses Updated and Restyled

TargetSolutions has updated three of its most popular EMS training courses with engaging content and new video-based lessons. 

Between three of the most popular courses in TargetSolutions’ EMS Continuing Education catalog, EMS Basic Airway Management, EMS Cardiac Emergencies, and EMS Patient Assessment received over 30,000 completions in 2016.

Due to their popularity and value to new and veteran first responders, these one-hour training courses have been revised with refreshing content packed into visually enticing video-based lessons. As users progress through each video module, they are guided with audio narration and related images for a more engaging learning experience.

After completing each module, users are tested for comprehension with a one-question quiz and at the end of the course, must pass a brief exam. These tests reinforce crucial concepts and help first responders perform procedures during a call.

“Knowing these three EMS courses are some of our most highly utilized offerings, we’ve completely restyled and updated our content. The learning objectives in each course, such as basic airway management, are comprehensive and are perfect for both new first responders and veterans looking for a refresher.” 

Bryan Fitzgerald, Content Manager, TargetSolutions

EMS Airway Management Basic recalls the anatomy of the respiratory system for EMT personnel to identify signs of inadequate breathing. This basic airway management course covers the steps to safely clear an obstructed patient’s airway as soon as possible.

EMS Cardiac Emergencies Basic highlights the signs of cardiac arrest and how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED). As half of the 600,000 annual deaths from cardiovascular diseases occur before patients reach the hospital, immediate and correct defibrillation is crucial.

EMS Patient Assessment Basic lays the foundation for determining a scene’s safety and recognizing symptoms of an abnormal condition in a patient. Based on the assessments, personnel will be able to perform the appropriate tests and identify changing conditions throughout the interaction.

These courses provide an overview to essential practices for first responders. Users will understand basic airway management, how to properly use an AED, and analyze patients’ conditions. Utilizing these skills will reduce mistakes in time sensitive situations and increase patients’ chances of survival.

For more information about these updated courses or TargetSolutions’ EMS Course Library, contact us today (800) 840-8048!

New Functionality Enables Administrators to Add New Activities to Existing Credentials

All it takes is a few simple clicks when creating a new custom activity to add it to a previously created credential inside the TargetSolutions platform.

All it takes is a few simple clicks when creating a custom activity to add it to a previously created credential.

If you are an administrator who has ever wished you could add an activity into an existing credential directly from the activity, your wait is over. Now, you can save time and avoid the hassle of having to go into Manage Credentials to add a new activity to Credential topics.

New functionality inside Activities Builder enables administrators to add activities straight into a credential topic with just a few simple clicks. Administrators can add an activity to as many credentials as they would like, which saves time.

“In the past, you would have to create an activity and then go into Manage Credentials to add it to the credential,” said Product Manager Misty Pratt. “This was a step that impeded workflow. Now, if you are creating an activity that counts toward credential training requirements, you can add it to that credential topic directly from the activity.”

To learn more about utilizing this new functionality, please click here to view help documentation.

If you have any questions about this enhancement or other features inside TargetSolutions’ online training management system, contact us today at (800) 840-8048.

How to Enhance Your Fire Department Training Plan with TargetSolutions and Third-Party Content

When it comes to developing an effective fire department training plan, training isn’t linear. In addition to providing more than 450 hours of fire department training courses, TargetSolutions supports a variety of third-party content so departments can customize users’ training experience.

Incorporating third-party content into your training keeps firefighters’ skills fresh with engaging, dynamic courses. TargetSolutions can deliver video, Articulate and SCORM presentations and scenario-based training. The ability to assign these different training formats from a single platform makes TargetSolutions an all-in-one solution for agencies.

Easily Upload Videos for Custom Activities

Whether it be a training clip found on YouTube or a department’s own recording from a drill-yard training session, administrators can distribute video content on TargetSolutions. Uploading videos and creating related activity questions is straightforward through the File Center and Activities Builder. Simply embed or insert a link from YouTube or Vimeo or post a video file directly into the File Center. TargetSolutions is compatible with most video file types under two gigabytes such as MOV, MP4, and AVI.

Sarnia Fire Rescue Services utilizes this by uploading exercises from SimsUshare’s fire department training plan simulators.

“(With TargetSolutions and SimsUshare) one system doesn’t replace the other. I’ve even recorded SimsUshare sessions and uploaded them to TargetSolutions as customized courses.”

Russ Lloyd, Safety and Training Officer, Sarnia Fire Rescue Services

Recording and posting training allows departments to analyze decisions made during simulations and test for comprehension of procedures. Related questions also reveal gaps in training and give insight on how to improve performance.

Engage Users with Articulate and SCORM Presentations

Articulate and SCORM presentations help trainers get creative and produce dynamic content. Trainers can design interactive exercises with Articulate or keep users engaged with narrated SCORM PowerPoints.

In addition to enhancing the user-experience, delivering Articulate and SCORM presentations with TargetSolutions can save time and resources. Rather than coordinating around a fire department training plan schedule for live instructor-led classes, these presentations can be accessed at the user’s convenience.

Once presentations are created externally, they can be uploaded to the training platform. Articulate presentations can be added to the File Center and assigned to users through the Activities Builder. Once SCORM presentations are uploaded, they can be assigned as a TargetSolutions course and be available in the Course Library.

Include Scenario-Based Training in Your Fire Department Training Plan

When dealing with the uncertainty of an emergency, every decision can make the difference between a success or tragedy. Fire department training simulators give firefighters the opportunity to practice making tough decisions during high-stress situations.

AlphaTRAC’s firefighter-specific scenario training, AlphaACT, can be purchased and delivered directly through TargetSolutions. AlphaACT scenarios react as users attempt to resolve an emergency. This provides a safe setting for firefighters to apply their skills to realistic situations without the resources of hands-on training. These exercises also reinforce concepts learned through TargetSolutions’ continuing education courses.Fire Department Training Plan

While TargetSolutions offers pre-built AlphaACT scenarios, fire departments can also create their own. Custom simulations replicating past calls help firefighters leverage experiences to make better decisions in the future. After completing each session, training officers can access results to understand a student’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Organizing a fire department training plan that sufficiently prepares agencies should utilize a variety of training forms. TargetSolutions’ compatibility with diverse types of third-party content gives administrators control over their fire department training plan. TargetSolutions’ dynamic online firefighter training courses, combined with customized third-party content, helps firefighters retain key information and can respond to any emergency.

For questions about third-party content supported by TargetSolutions, please contact us at (800) 840-8048!