During the early days of TargetSolutions’ existence, skeptics questioned whether web-based learning would be an effective tool for fire training. That was back in the late 90s when the company was first founded and the Internet was just taking off. Now, more than 700 fire departments log into the system each year.
So, what has been the driving force behind TargetSolutions’ success? For the people inside the company’s San Diego headquarters, it’s simple: A commitment to helping the heroes who serve us all.
“We exist for the public safety officials who are serving our communities,” said TargetSolutions’ CEO Jon D. Handy. “It’s important to me that people understand that we’re a company on a mission to provide technology with a purpose.”
TargetSolutions’ employees are dedicated to providing fire departments with innovative applications that help streamline training management. In fact, some employees have a personal connection to the fire service. Vice President of Operations Alex Day, who has been with the company since November of 2006, is closely tied to the industry.
Working at TargetSolutions has allowed Day to return to his roots as his father was a division chief with the Vista Fire Department (Calif.).
“I’ve been in-tune with the industry since I was a child, Day said. I remember being a kid and climbing on fire engines and going on ride-alongs. For me, to be able to serve this industry, it’s special. I feel at home.”
Annmarie Grimm, the company’s executive assistant, has been married to Escondido Fire Departments (Calif.) John Grimm for 15 years. Earlier this month, John, an engineer, was deployed to Northern California to combat wildfires for several weeks. Although time together was sacrificed, Annmarie recognizes the value her husband provides to the community.
“The way I look at it, he doesn’t belong to me,” Annmarie said. “He belongs to everybody. I just get to borrow him and I’m grateful for every moment we spend together.”
TargetSolutions’ commitment to the fire service helped make Annmarie’s decision to join the company easy.
“It was serendipitous,” she said. “I walked in not knowing what TargetSolutions did. The fact TargetSolutions makes a difference for the fire service, I knew it was the right place for me.”
Client Services Account Manager Ashley Cole married her husband, Jeffrey Cole, an engineer with the Poway Fire Department (Calif.), in May of 2012. Ashley’s relationship with Jeffrey has given her a tremendous appreciation for the fire industry.
“He loves what he does – it’s not just a job to him,” Cole said. “I’m surrounded by the fire industry. It’s really become a huge part of my life. I know how important their job is to them and that makes me feel like my job is really important because it impacts them.”
The universal sentiment at TargetSolutions is that serving emergency responders is a privilege. Making a difference in the lives of those who make such a huge impact on our communities is special.
The company recognizes and appreciates the hard-work and bravery it takes to be a firefighter and is looking forward to continue providing innovative solutions to the men and women who serve our communities.
About TargetSolutions
Founded in 1999, TargetSolutions is the leader in online training and records management for public entities. More than 2,000 organizations across the country use our technology to solve their training needs. We work hard every day to understand our clients’ challenges and deliver powerful tools that save time and money.