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Archive for January, 2018

Why You Should Attend One of TargetSolutions’ Upcoming User Group Training Workshops


TargetSolutions’ special user group training workshops present invaluable opportunities for attendees to meet with peers to exchange knowledge and learn new platform utilization tricks.

When exploring the vast frontier of learning management systems, chances are good at some point you will be invited to attend a user group. But what is a user group and what can it do for you?

A user group can be defined as a collection of people who meet to exchange information and views on a piece of software or technology. User groups occur every day around the world for every piece of technology imaginable, including video games, software, computers, and in this case, TargetSolutions’ online training and records management system.

2018-ts-firehouse-workshop-logo-digitalFor example, TargetSolutions holds a user group in downtown San Diego during the annual Firehouse World convention. This year’s event, which is now open for registration, will be hosted on Tuesday, March 6 at the Marriot Gaslamp Quarter, will connect TargetSolutions’ account managers with users of the platform in an opportune presentation of tips and tricks to demonstrate the system’s full potential.

Typically, user groups take on the form of specialty workshops composed of stations set up for users and account managers to engage in specialized one-on-one training and demonstrations. From coast to coast, more than 4,000 organizations using TargetSolutions communicate via phone or e-mail, so personalized face-to-face interaction is easily one of the most compelling benefits of such a workshop.

For those who have participated in past user groups, the takeaway is simple: such events enhance relationships and help to build new ones. TargetSolutions’ Regional Sales Manager Kegan Konrady, who is regularly in attendance for company-sponsored user groups, expressed such collaboration in even simpler terms: “It’s always good to be able to put a name with the face.”

An equally invaluable benefit for platform users at these events is the opportunity to interact with other attendees to learn how they use the system for their own organization. For example, the City of Roseville (Calif.) may use TargetSolutions’ online training management system differently than Oklahoma City Fire Department (Okla.).

However, bringing these two agencies together in the same room could undoubtedly reveal capabilities of the platform the other didn’t realize was possible. TargetSolutions is fully customizable and every agency will use it differently, hence why these types of events are the perfect outlet for organizations to learn how to maximize their technology.

Phil Coons, TargetSolutions’ Director of Sales (West), took it one step further by focusing the importance of the events to learn what matters the most to agencies based on geographic needs.

“They bring our clients together and we not only show best practices, but we can learn regionally what matters to the group and allows for cross-education in a peer-to-peer environment,” said Coons. “If there are individuals in attendance who are considering TargetSolutions for their own agency, they get a deeper understanding of TargetSolutions and how their peers are using the platform.”

Indeed, if a friend whose opinions you value recommends a movie, you may be more inclined to watch it. Likewise, if a neighboring fire department or city or government agency has been able to streamline their training with one consolidated online system and offers their stamp of approval, you may be more inclined to take their recommendation.

For more information on TargetSolutions’ training workshops, please contact us today at (800) 840-8046.

Testimonial Video: How TargetSolutions Helps Public Agencies Streamline Training


Agencies using TargetSolutions from across the country discussed eLearning best practices and the future of online training management during Vector Solutions’ 2017 Client Summit.

Agencies from across the country that are using TargetSolutions were recently interviewed by our team about their experiences with TargetSolutions’ online training management platform. Coming from backgrounds in firefighting, training, and administration, each agency not only appreciated TargetSolutions’ robust course library but also valued the platform’s ability to deliver, track and report all training types.

Division Chief of Training, Dan Pfannenstiel, highlighted the options to customize pre-training activities for the West Metro Fire Protection District’s hands-on training. Pfannenstiel praised TargetSolutions’ online activities as an “opportunity for us to help prime people for when they come down so that training is more valid and useful, and they get a chance, through customized content, to see it done right in our own environment.”

TargetSolutions has also enabled these agencies to streamline credentials and records management with a single, centralized location for important training data. Lynn Adgett, Program Assistant of City of Reno, discussed how TargetSolutions helps her team document training hours and track expiring licenses and certifications. She remarked, “we can now maintain (credentials) and we can stay on top of things”.

The 2017 Client Summit covered eLearning best practices and the future of online training. Using attendees’ input, Vector Solutions has worked to introduce new strategies to continue innovative training approaches that closely connect knowledge and performance for a safer, more effective workforce.

If you would like what other training leaders who have implemented TargetSolutions have to say, please view these Success Stories.

Federal Grant Program Allows Fire Departments to Seek Out New Training Opportunities

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is now accepting applications for the annual Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Up to 2,500 grants will be awarded in 2018 for first responders in need of equipment, training, or other essential resources to their mission.

Fire departments experiencing budgetary hardships have an opportunity to infuse their organizations with new life through a federally funded grant program. The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program offers aid to first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other necessary resources to achieve their department’s mission.

fema-button-grant-programThe grants are broken down into sub-categories designed to help organizations seeking aid with specific operational goals. The available grants are as follows:

  • Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG): Offers departments funding for critically needed resources to equip and train firefighters in operational efficiency and to support community resilience.
  • Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grants (SAFER): Provides funding to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase the number of trained “frontline” firefighters available in their communities.
  • Fire Prevention & Safety Grants (FP&S): Supports projects that enhance public safety and firefighters from fire and related hazards.

Developed in 2001 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the mission of the program is to “strengthen national preparedness and resilience.” Focusing on eligible fire departments, non-affiliated emergency medical service (EMS) organizations, and State Fire Training Academies (SFTA), the program annually projects to award as many as 2,500 grants to approved organizations.

Award sizes are determined by the populations of the jurisdictions served. Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation and background information on their department’s specific needs and goals:

  • Organization and the Community Served: Discuss your organization and the special needs or hazards faced by your community and how they impact your department.
  • Financial Need: Why does your organization need financial assistance and what types of budgetary distress are you currently experiencing?
  • Project Description and Budget Justification: Explain some of your department’s projects and how they impact your budget.
  • Operations/Cost Benefit: How will a grant benefit your organization and impact your operational costs?
  • Statement of Effect: How will this grant positively impact your mission and the community your department serves?

Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

For organizations that are seeking out new training opportunities, TargetSolutions offers an affordable all-in-one solution designed to streamline department training and records management. Schedule, track, and deliver award-winning firefighter and EMS continuing education anytime, anywhere. Utilized by more than 4,000 organizations nationwide, TargetSolutions is the undisputed leader in online training for the fire service.

Please note, the application period closes Feb. 2.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is currently accepting applications. Restrictions apply. Please visit FEMA’s website for more information at: https://www.fema.gov/welcome-assistance-firefighters-grant-program

TargetSolutions’ EDU Course Catalog Receives Significant Enhancements

A 10-course bundle of school district training courses is just the beginning of what is going to be a complete overhaul of TargetSolutions’ EDU course catalog.

Exciting changes have arrived to TargetSolutions’ EDU course catalog. A freshly released 10-course bundle of brand new training courses offers a peek into the long-term plans to enhance our vast library of lessons for school districts. Produced with a healthy blend of audio and video, these courses offer instructor-led presentations, voiceover narration tracks, engaging graphics, and interactive multimedia for an immersive learning experience. With each course clocking in with a 30 to 90-minute runtime, this collection will cover a wide range of education topics designed to help schools meet their training needs.

Titles included in this new bundle of school district training are:

  • Managing Difficult Behaviors: Enables school staff to identify and provide positive correction techniques to various types of student misbehaviors.
  • Safe Use of Utility Carts: Features general information about utility carts including their features, safe operation, and proper maintenance.
  • Preventing Cyberbullying: Defines cyberbullying and discusses its prevalence and harmful side effects as well as what you can do to stop it.
  • Liability in Sports: Outlines the risks associated with physical activities, primarily sports, and how to ensure student safety.
  • Evacuating Students with Disabilities: Informs bus drivers and attendants who work with special needs students the basics of an effective evacuation policy and strategy.

When asked about the new direction of the EDU course catalog, TargetSolutions’ Content Manager Bryan Fitzgerald noted that this new bundle is just a glimpse into the future of the library:

“We have a comprehensive plan to completely overhaul the EDU catalog with more interactive lessons. 2018 is going to be a big year when it comes to training and school districts.”

Bryan Fitzgerald, Content Manager, TargetSolutions.

With these 10 new courses currently available, 2018 is already shaping up to be a productive year for enhancements and new releases. Upcoming releases will use a mix of narrated teaching, graphics, unique interactions and focused learning objectives to deliver a world-class training experience.

For more information about school district training, please contact TargetSolutions today at (800) 840-8048.   

TargetSolutions’ Online Police Training Courses Meet Continuing Education Requirements in Various States

Police Training Requirements by State | Police Training Online
With TargetSolutions you can schedule, deliver and track online police training covering high-risk, low-frequency topics. The compelling content has proven to keep law enforcement officers prepared and is accepted in numerous states across the country. See below for the status of your state.

Online Police Training Options by State: 2018 Edition

TargetSolutions offers more than 240 online law enforcement training courses and videos to help police agencies educate personnel, achieve compliance and reduce liability. Covering highrisk, low-frequency events, TargetSolutions’ police training courses are created by subject matter experts and feature real-life scenarios, dynamic interactions, and mobile compatibility.

There are 12 states that require state approval, and TargetSolutions is approved in those states: Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.

18 states require continuing education (CE) without approvals and are free to utilize TargetSolutions: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Organizations That Accept Online Police Training by TargetSolutions

In addition to the state approvals, here are the organizations that accept online police training courses offered by TargetSolutions:

Alabama: Alabama POST


Alaska: DPS Alaska Police Standards Council


Arkansas: Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training


Colorado: Colorado POST


Florida: Florida Division of Criminal Justice


Georgia: Georgia POST


Indiana: Indiana Law Enforcement Academy


Iowa: Iowa Law Enforcement Academy


Kansas: Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (KS•CPOST)


Louisiana: Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE)


Massachusetts: The Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC)


Michigan: Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)


Missouri: Missouri POST


Nebraska: Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center


Nevada: Nevada POST


New Jersey: New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice


New Mexico: New Mexico Department of Public Safety


New York: New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service


North Dakota: North Dakota POST


Ohio: Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy


Oklahoma: Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training


Oregon: Department of Public Safety Standards and Training


South Carolina: South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy


South Dakota: Law Enforcement Training, Division of Criminal Investigation


Texas: Texas Commission on Law Enforcement


Utah: Utah Department of Public Safety


Vermont: Criminal Justice Training Council


Virginia: Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS)


Washington: Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission


West Virginia: Division of Justice & Community Services


Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Justice Training & Standards Bureau


Wyoming: Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy


TargetSolutions’ online police training catalog features courses covering high-risk, low-frequency events, as well as other topics germane to law enforcement professionals. Course categories include Corrections, Dispatch, Driver Training for Police, Homeland Security, Investigation, Officer Survival and Patrol.
TargetSolutions also features OSHA & Compliance training and Human Resources training, including mandatory sexual harassment training and other valuable courses for supervisors. These courses are aimed to educate public safety officers, mitigate risk and reduce workplace claims.
Check back often as many states are in the approval process for online police training.
If you would like more information about your state’s accreditation status for online police training, please contact us at (800) 840-8048 or via e-mail at [email protected]

New Webinar Explores Fundamentals of Fire Dynamics Training

fire dynamics training

A recently broadcast webinar focuses on the always-evolving essentials of fire dynamics training and how to prepare your cadre for such scenarios.

A new TargetSolutions-sponsored webinar delivered by Firehouse.com presents an overview of fire dynamics training and how it can benefit the fire service. Developing & Implementing a Comprehensive Fire Dynamics Training Program originally aired on December 5 and is currently available for streaming. Hosted by Fire Behavior Instructor Ian Bolton from the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services (British Columbia), the 80-minute webinar offers a rich selection of topics pertaining to fire dynamics training and how preparing for such instances can protect battalions everywhere.

Bolton defines fire dynamics training as “the study of how fires start, grow and spread.” Utilizing a collection of graphics, videos, charts, and other forms of multimedia, Bolton plows through the essentials of evolving fire behavior as it pertains to the fire service.

Emphasis is placed upon the importance of maintaining fire dynamics training through quality instruction. The problem, however, is that this type of training is still relatively new to the fire service. “We don’t need good instructors, we need great instructors,” said Bolton. “There’s not a lot of material out there that can help us train fire behavior and fire dynamics.”

Topics covered in this webinar include:

  • Fire Service Culture and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory
  • Legacy Fuel vs. Modern Fuel
  • Instructor Development
  • Fire Behavior Training
  • Modern Fire Environment
  • Health & Safety
  • Live Fire Training

Citing Robert De Niro’s arson-investigating character from the 1991 blockbuster Backdraft, Bolton certifies the notion that fires are always evolving due to the continuous advancement in the fuels that power them. “Fires move not because of physics but because it wants to,” said Bolton. “We use a lot of that language when we talk about fire as well.”fire dynamics training

“Fire does not respond based on greed, ideology, or hatred. Fire responds based on physical and chemical limitations that govern our world and the variables that influence it. Fire is very predictable when we can understand those pieces and gather information on the fireground.”

The importance of training and preparing for such events is stressed throughout the presentation, particularly when it comes to live fire training. As Bolton points out, it’s imperative that companies aren’t being set up for failure, hence the need to always review these fire dynamic fundamentals.

To learn more about fire dynamics training and how to implement a program for your department, please click the button above or click here to listen to the pre-recorded webinar.

For information about how TargetSolutions can help streamline your department’s training, please contact us today at (800) 840-8048.