Company Blog | TargetSolutions

January 20, 2021

Understanding How the COVID-19 Vaccine Works

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of a vaccine was prioritized by nations around the world. Now, there are two main forms of COVID-19 vaccines being mass distributed: the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. As there is much discussion around how they work, Coronavirus 108: The Basics of Vaccines provides information about the science of vaccines, including the COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.

This free course is the latest addition to Vector Solutions’ complimentary COVID-19 training series. With these condensed video courses, agencies can easily distribute the most current information throughout their organizations to best protect employees.

January 19, 2021

Mobile Fire-Rescue Manages Inspections and Compliance with TargetSolutions Check It™

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Agency Stats:

Class 1 ISO rating
Area of coverage: 400 square miles
Population in coverage area: 190,000 residents
Trucks: 19 engine companies, 11 advanced life support ambulances, plus technical rescue companies and hazardous materials response units
Staff: 487 civilian and sworn
Implemented Vector Solutions’ LMS in 2017; Vector Solutions’ Check It in 2018

Mobile Fire-Rescue Department (MFRD) is a class-1 ISO rated department in Alabama — a distinction held by only 1% of the nation’s fire districts. As a testament to their dedication to operational excellence, Captain Barry Glisson explained his agency has used Vector Solutions’ software to improve operations and staff training, as well as reduce risks.

January 15, 2021

Denver Public School Department of Safety Saves Time with Daily Observation Reports

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Denver Public School Department of Safety (DPS DOS) is responsible for creating a safe and secure environment for over 93,000 students and 15,000 staff members across 220 buildings in the Denver, Colorado area.

Prior to implementing Vector Evaluations+, DPS DOS was using a word processor document to record their daily observation reports, which they would manually upload to their TargetSolutions Learning Management System (LMS), available through Vector Solutions.

Sergeant Jason Klika, the DPS DOS Training Coordinator, said they were “dying for the evaluations tool”, which enables them to oversee their entire staff through the Vector Evaluations+ app. With this solution, daily observation reports can be submitted directly and connects to the LMS, so everything is centralized in one location without having to manually upload skill sheets.

In addition to Vector Solutions’ LMS and Vector Evaluations+, DPS DOS recently purchased TargetSolutions Check It. This app will help them simplify vehicle and equipment checks and manage inventory and work orders for tasks like vehicle maintenance.

Learn more about how DPS Dept. of Safety is saving their team hundreds of administrative hours and improving transparency through better reporting with Vector Evaluations+.

January 8, 2021

Help Protect Your Firefighters from Carcinogens, Which Account for up to 60% of LODDs

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The fire service does not shy away from risk. Putting their lives on the line is in the nature of a firefighter’s occupation. However, this is not done recklessly or taken lightly. Fire departments routinely train on important procedures for rescue and extrication, EMS care, incident scene communication and more.

However, risks are not always visible and immediate, such as carcinogen exposure that may not manifest itself until years following an incident, or series of incidents. Does your fire department proactively manage and prepare your firefighters for silent threats like cancer?

According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), cancer is the No. 1 cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths—accounting for 60% of LODDs in a 2016 study.

This occupational risk can be reduced with effective awareness and prevention training. As January is Fire Fighter Cancer Awareness Month, Vector Solutions is offering informational resources, a complimentary cancer prevention course and best practices in our LMS to build a strong firefighter cancer awareness training program.

December 29, 2020

Year in Review: A Look Back at 2020 Innovations & Events

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Without a doubt, 2020 has been a year of significant challenges and changes. During this year, Vector Solutions continued to support agencies and help them adapt to new processes through technological innovations.

In 2020, Vector Solutions developed new products, released crucial training, enhanced existing systems and gave back to local communities. Here’s a look back at this year’s most notable solutions and events.

December 22, 2020

Top 10 Online Training Courses in 2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of ‘normalcy’ in our world. Amid this global crisis, organizations have had to adapt to a number of instant, new challenges. Facilities across the United States closed their doors and schools and workforces transitioned to remote operations.

To help maintain an effective, safe and productive workforce, Vector Solutions provided thousands of agencies crucial training and online operational tools. From the complimentary release of a COVID-19 training series, to resource management tools, to collaboration solutions, Vector Solutions’ suite of applications applications and training content enabled agencies to adapt essential functions without sacrificing the training and tools they need to effectively do their job.

As 2020 comes to a close, we would like to highlight the top 10 most popular online training courses.

December 18, 2020

New EMS Courses: Functional Communication for EMS, Pain Management & More

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Vector Solutions’ EMS training catalog features more than 250 hours of accredited continuing education for EMS providers of all levels. New courses are frequently added to this catalog to keep up with current procedures and ensure EMTs, paramedics and EMRs utilize industry best practices.

All-new titles include: Functional Communication for EMS Providers; Pain Management; and Emergency Care for Electrical Burns. Available through the TargetSolutions training system, these courses will help EMS professionals fulfill CE units and refresh their knowledge of important topics.

December 16, 2020

Officer Survival: Physiological Response to Stress

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Stress undoubtedly comes with a career in law enforcement. Police officers often face high-stress, high-stakes situations where they must make split-second decisions under extreme pressure. If stress isn’t managed, it can cause long-term conditions and illnesses that can negatively affect how officers conduct their daily lives and performance in the field.

Vector Solutions’ new course, Officer Survival: Physiological Response to Stress, covers the different causes of stress for a law enforcement officer, the impact of stress on the mind and body and best practices for stress management.

By completing this training, officers will better understand how stress impacts them and agencies will better support the mental and behavioral health of their employees with important wellness solutions across their departments.

December 10, 2020

NFPA 1021 and NFPA 1584 Online Course Updates

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Vector Solutions’ online firefighter training catalog is frequently updated to keep up with the most recent NFPA standards and industry best practices. Available through the TargetSolutions training platform, the most recently updated titles include:

NFPA 1021 Company-Level Training
NFPA 1021 Pre-Incident Planning
NFPA 1584 Firefighter Rehabilitation (MOD #1)
NFPA 1584 Firefighter Rehabilitation (MOD #2)

Each course features an onscreen instructor to guide learners through each lesson. Additionally, the courses include case studies, custom videos and comprehension checkpoints to ensure firefighters understand crucial fundamentals.

November 30, 2020

Montana CARES Act Enables Reimbursement for Distanced Learning

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The COVID-19 pandemic caused logistical and financial strain on local government agencies. To ensure fire departments and other public safety organizations can still effectively and safely serve their communities, agencies had to adapt processes according to CDC and government best practices.

To help organizations continue these efforts, the Montana Department of Administration announced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). This $200 million fund permits reimbursement for Montana agencies to improve processes stemmed from COVID-19.

With this state assistance, departments can purchase solutions such as the TargetSolutions training management system, to encourage socially distanced learning and track compliance standards. This funding covers costs incurred now through December 30, 2020.

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