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Archive for February, 2018

Why Computer-Based Training Systems Make Sense for Fire Departments of All Sizes

No matter the department size, all fire departments are faced with hundreds of hours of mandated training that simply cannot be managed solely with traditional training and recordkeeping methods. Implementing a web-based Learning Management System (LMS) improves a department’s ability to deliver, track and report all training types.

Metro Fire Department Online Training

TargetSolutions is at the forefront of online training for fire departments and offers a cost-effective, powerful solution for departments ranging from metro-sized fire departments to smaller volunteer agencies.

TargetSolutions fulfills the basic training needs of all fire departments with a robust course library of more than 450 hours of firefighter training and 160 hours of accredited EMS continuing education. However, as each department has unique challenges, TargetSolutions includes user-friendly, innovative applications for a customizable training experience that is specific to the needs of personnel.

Find out why TargetSolutions is the right choice for every fire department:

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Get to Know TargetSolutions Client Services Representative: Eric Helton

Meet the Team Eric HeltonEric Helton was welcomed into TargetSolutions as a Client Services Representative last August. Born and raised in sunny San Diego, Eric grew up playing sports outdoors and continues to love basketball and football.

Before becoming a TargetSolutions team member, Eric worked with clients one-on-one as a Satellite Technician for DirecTV. His initial interest in TargetSolutions stemmed from his background in Criminal Justice, which he studied at Miramar College and San Diego State University. He appreciated the ability to help professionals train to protect communities across the country.

After working at TargetSolutions for a few months, Eric discussed how he enjoys coming into work and collaborating with the client services team to help customers. “It’s an honor to be a part of something bigger and serve those who serve,” he remarked.

Get to know Eric Helton better with this Q-and-A:

What is your favorite food?

I like pretty much anything but if I had to pick a favorite, steak!

What is your favorite movie?

It’s a tossup between Gladiator and Troy. Depends on how I feel that day.

What is your favorite genre of music?

Hip-hop/rap.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’ve always wanted to go to Italy.

What is your idea of a perfect weekend?

Grabbing a drink with my friends and enjoying some good food!

Do you prefer cats or dogs?

Dogs by far (I’m allergic to cats)

What is your favorite sports team?

Dallas, Mavericks.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I love Oreo!

What is your favorite type of weather?

I actually like cold and gloomy weather. Probably because it’s never gloomy in San Diego.

Do you have any pets?

I have 3 dogs. A pitbull, french bulldog and a boston terrier.

Fun fact about yourself:

I can speak Vietnamese.

ISO Updates Require Simple Adjustments to Your ISO Credential in TargetSolutions

By making these simple updates to your ISO credential, your department will be current with changing ISO requirements and ready for its next training review. 

Is your department using TargetSolutions to track ISO training hours? Updates in ISO training criteria and new courses in the TargetSolutions’ platform require simple adjustments to your department’s ISO credential. These easy updates will help your team prepare for its next ISO audit.

The most recent ISO credential updates include:

  • Daily SCBA / PPE Checks Removal from ISO
  • Updated Community Risk Reduction Training Qualifications (Inspector, Investigator, Life Safety Educator)
  • Addition of New Courses from RedVector
  • Inclusion of New NFPA and RT-130 Content from 2017
  • Organization of LearnSmart Courses (should not be used in ISO credential)

Daily SCBA/PPE Checks Removal

As Daily Apparatus Checks were removed from ISO training standards in 2013, daily SCBA and PPE checks no longer count toward ISO training. While these routine checks are critical to the safety and effectiveness of fire departments, they do not qualify as a training activity. These checks should be removed from your ISO credential to keep your mandatory training bundles organized.

Updated Community Risk Reduction Training Qualifications

When tracking training for Community Risk Reduction Training requirements (Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator and Fire Life Safety Educator), it’s important to note that a course or activity cannot count toward more than one qualification. “Double dipping” is not be accepted by the ISO when analyzing your department’s training hours. Therefore, to ensure your personnel are fulfilling the appropriate number of hours for their certifications, make sure to organize your “buckets” in the ISO credential.

Addition of New RedVector Courses  

TargetSolutions received 34 new courses from RedVector, which like TargetSolutions is a brand under Vector Solutions. These courses provide a refreshing training experience with online lessons new to your department’s personnel. Incorporating new courses into your ISO credential keeps annual training from becoming routine and monotonous. To add these courses, simply tag them according to the appropriate category and add them to your credential in Manage Credentials.

Inclusion of 2017 NFPA Content and RT-130 Wildland Refresher Training 

In 2017, TargetSolutions added a new video-driven training series to highlight key learning objectives for fire departments. These courses written to NFPA standards include the NFPA 1410 series, which received silver honors for the Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Learning Award. While your company may have already completed these courses, it’s important to add and sort them into your ISO credential “buckets” to receive ISO training credit.

Organization of LearnSmart Courses

While TargetSolutions’ courses for IT & Security, Business Skills and Office Productivity certainly deliver value to your administration team, they do not count toward ISO training. To keep your ISO credential as simple as possible, refrain from adding LearnSmart courses to company officer buckets and remove any existing courses. Rather than cluttering your ISO credential, perhaps create a separate credential with LearnSmart content for career pathing purposes.

For more information on TargetSolutions’ ISO Training Tracker, please check our online help system.

 

 

TargetSolutions Revises Water Industry Advanced HAZWOPER Awareness Training Series

TargetSolutions’ four-part series, Advanced HAZWOPER Awareness, uses video-driven content and engaging imagery to help water industry professionals review crucial procedures for handling hazardous materials.

When it comes to working with hazardous substances or being exposed to other health or safety risks, organizations need a Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER) training program that can be easily delivered and renewed on an annual basis.  TargetSolutions’ 4-part Water Industry Advanced HAZWOPER Awareness series, in the water and wastewater training catalog, addresses the specific requirements for water industry professionals with an eight-hour refresher training. With a fully updated interface and new content upgrade, employees taking the modules are more engaged and can better understand procedures.

Advanced HAZWOPER Awareness is now delivered in a video-driven format with a course host to guide learners through each lesson. To maximize retention of the courses, the modules’ images and text were also updated with all-new material with the assistance of subject matter experts.

Upon completing the eight-hour series, employees will have completed the following objectives:

  • Review Hazardous Substances and Regulations
  • Gain an understanding of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
  • Recognize how hazardous substances are labeled, placarded, and identified
  • Gain an understanding of the health effects of dealing with Hazardous Materials and Waste
  • Review basic toxicology and the routes of exposure into the human body
  • Understand how to control exposures using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Review the emergency responder’s role
  • Review the Incident Command structure

“In the water industry, proper safety measures around hazardous materials protect both employees and the public. TargetSolutions’ newly revised advanced HAZWOPER series is led by an instructor and is designed for water industry personnel and the hazardous situations they frequently encounter.”

Bryan Fitzgerald, Content Manager, TargetSolutions

As employees progress through the objectives, in-course quizzes check for comprehension and an end of course exam with a minimum passing score proves competency in the subject. In addition to TargetSolutions’ Water Industry Advanced HAZWOPER Awareness series, an assessment of the hands-on performance of work tasks is also necessary and should be procured through your management or training coordinator.

For questions about TargetSolutions’ updated HAZWOPER series, please contact us today (800) 840-8048!

Help Center Revamped with Platform Best Practices for Setting Up TargetSolutions

As the leading Software as a Service (SaaS) training management system for public entities, TargetSolutions is focused on continuously improving its powerful applications to help agencies streamline training and track compliance.

Five new videos were recently added to TargetSolutions’ Help System. These videos cover best practices on how to maximize TargetSolutions’ most utilized training tools. The HD-quality videos provide tips and tricks for scheduling, delivering and tracking training.

Here’s an overview of each video lesson:

CredentialsBest Practices for TargetSolutions Platform

With TargetSolutions’ Credentials application, you can deliver important assignments as a bundle. By building credentials for mandatory training, platform managers and users can easily track training progress and stay ahead of expiring licenses or certifications.

Watch Video >

Reportable Components

Reportable Components allow platform managers to record the training information you need for activities. Track training data with customizable features and simplify the reporting process with drop-down menus and other automated answers.

Watch Video >

Activities Builder

When creating and naming activities inside the Activities Builder application, consistency is key to staying organized. Develop a naming structure that makes sense for your organTargetSolutions Platform Best Practicesization, create broad categories and make subfolders for specific activities.

Watch Video >

File Center

As the resource library for your organization’s training, you should establish an organized system with broad folders and subfolders to keep access simple. Additionally, limit access to the File Center to ensure the integrity of your records.

Watch Video >

Setting Up Supervisors

Setting up supervisors helps administrators maintain training records and manage users’ training progress. When selecting supervisors, be sure to keep access simple and train them on their responsibilities before implementing TargetSolutions to the whole organization.

Watch Video >

For questions about TargetSolutions’ online training management system, please visit our Help System or contact us today (800) 840-8048!