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SAN DIEGO – TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand offering the leading online training and records management system for public safety agencies, is excited to announce it has joined forces once again with the IAFC’s Volunteer and Combination Officers Section for the VCOS Training Officer Recognition Award.

For the fifth year in a row, TargetSolutions will sponsor the prestigious distinction, which acknowledges a training officer who works tirelessly to provide outstanding fire department training.

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All-New NFPA® 1851 Online Training Course, as Well as TargetSolutions’ Recently Launched Operations Management Software, Will Be on Display at Booth No. 13034

SAN DIEGO –TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand offering the leading online training and records management system for public safety agencies, announced today an all-new training course, “NFPA® 1851 – Cancer-Related Risks of Firefighting,” will be released April 23, the first day of FDIC International 2018.

The video-based training guided by the NFPA’s 1851 Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, aims to provide a thorough understanding of fire service-related cancer risks for today’s firefighters. The two-hour course features real-life scenarios, engaging interactions, and 13 learning modules for departments to educate personnel on the dangers facing firefighters and what actions they can take to reduce risk.

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TargetSolutions Presents Prestigious Helping Hand Awards to David Piper (Orland Fire Protection District, Ill.) and Steve Malone (Manhattan Fire Department, Ill.)

SAN DIEGO – TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand offering the leading online training and records management system for public safety agencies, hosted its Networking & Training Workshop on Tuesday at Firehouse World in San Diego.

Attendees from across the country gathered at the Marriott Gaslamp Quarter’s Altitude Sky Lounge to receive platform utilization tips, network with other platform managers, and learn what TargetSolutions has in store for 2018 and beyond. TargetSolutions announced its newest product, TargetSolutions Check It™, which is built to track equipment and fire apparatus inspections on a mobile device. The mighty application will be available in April.

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SAN DIEGO – TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand offering the leading online training and records management system for public safety agencies, and Halligan, known for its powerful mobile truck checks application, announced today they have joined forces to deliver the industry’s most dynamic technology for tracking equipment and fire apparatus inspections on a mobile device.

Through this partnership, TargetSolutions will deliver a new web-based application called TargetSolutions Check It™, built for streamlining routine checks of trucks and tools, as well as track medical supplies, drugs and other items logged in inventory records. The application will be accessible through the TargetSolutions platform and ready for demonstrations in April.

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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.

The 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?

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

After Recent Wildfires in California, TargetSolutions Delivers Valuable RT-130: Annual Refresher Training Series

SAN DIEGO, CA (December 21, 2017) – TargetSolutions, the leading provider of e-Learning applications for the fire service, is offering fire department personnel free access to its RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher training series.

This year, wildfires have ravaged the state of California. In October, Northern California’s Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Mendocino and Butte counties faced extreme damage from wildfires that forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate and burned more than 245,000 acres, according to a CAL FIRE summary report.

Then, two months later in December in Southern California, strong Santa Ana winds caused devastating blazes from Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, to San Diego. Crews are still battling these fires, including the Thomas Fire, which is on pace to become the largest wildland fire in California history, according to CNN.

A recent projection by AccuWeather stated that damage from California’s 2017 wildfire season could reach more than $180 billion. In addition, there have been 45 fatalities reported and more than 200 non-fatal injuries due to these incidents.

Considering recent events, TargetSolutions is offering complimentary access to its special eight-hour online wildland fire training series. This engaging coursework, built for pre-training prior to hands-on training, is written to meet 2017’s annual updates. Recharged and retooled with the latest statistics and data, the RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher is loaded with dynamic training content, including a large selection of video presentations.

“These fires in California have been devastating. An unthinkable amount of damage has been done across the state this year, and as we look toward 2018, we’re focused on helping increase awareness and prepare firefighters for the challenges they face when called into action. TargetSolutions’ RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher training provides a tremendous overview of the fundamentals for wildland firefighting as well as critical hazards and safety strategies in wildland operations.”

Marc Scheipe, Executive Vice President, TargetSolutions

TargetSolutions’ online course catalog for fire departments features more than 450 hours of training, including the RT-130: Annual Wildland Fire Safety Refresher. Here is a breakdown of each module in the four-part series:

Module No. 1: An overview of recent issues and incidents in wildland firefighting as well as a review of the fundamentals of safety in wildland firefighting operations.

Module No. 2: An analysis of wildland fire behavior and strategies for predicting changes in behavior that could lead to hazardous conditions.

Module No. 3: Explores situational awareness and injury prevention in wildland fire operations.

Module No. 4: Discusses safety strategies to wildland fire operations.

If you would like more information about this limited time offer for TargetSolutions’ complimentary wildland fire training, please check online at http://info.targetsolutions.com/acton/media/29198/wildland-fire-training-2018 or call (800) 840-8046.

About TargetSolutions

TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand, delivers award-winning, real-time training and record-keeping solutions to the fire services, emergency medical services, risk pools, cities and municipalities, law enforcement and public works industries. The company provides engaging, accredited online training courses, cutting-edge software applications, and dynamic performance management solutions to help make organizations safer, more capable, and more compliant. For more information, visit www.targetsolutions.com. Follow us on Twitter @TargetSolutions and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/TargetSolutions.

About Vector Solutions

Vector Solutions, a leader in eLearning and performance support, provides award-winning SaaS solutions for the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), industrial, facilities management, public safety, IT and education industries. Its brands, RedVector, TargetSolutions, and SafeSchools, deliver continuing education (CE), training, technology and performance management solutions using the latest innovations in learning and technology to create safer, more capable, more compliant organizations. Its extensive online and mobile learning library exceeds more than 5,000 courses written by 200 subject matter experts and reaches over 5 million professionals worldwide. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.vector-solutions.com. Follow us on twitter @VectorPerform and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/VectorPerformance.

Enhancements being made at home and abroad to ensure the most scalable, secure platform possible.

SAN DIEGO – Vector Solutions, a leader in eLearning and performance support, announced today its public sector business unit, TargetSolutions, has taken further steps to modernize its computer-based platform and strengthen its infrastructure for customers in Canada.

As the premier provider of online training management applications for public safety agencies in the United States, TargetSolutions has moved Canadian customers to a cloud services platform for the Canadian region to achieve full compliance with the country’s requirements for protecting online users’ data.

“This is great news and an important step for our current and future customers in Canada,” said Public Sector General Manager Marc Scheipe. “All Canadian clients’ data is being hosted in Canada to meet Canadian requirements. We are focused on providing customers everywhere with the most dynamic online system for delivering and tracking training and compliance tasks while improving safety and operational performance.”

TargetSolutions, which delivers its training and performance management system to the Canadian market through its partner Global Risk Innovations, is making significant enhancements this year – both at home and abroad – to boost its back-end infrastructure in a multi-pronged strategy that will ensure the most scalable and secure platform possible.

Canadian customers will continue to be able to access the industry’s most powerful records management system, the highly popular Community Resources file-sharing application, and more than 1,000 online training courses, including more than 450 hours for fire departments, more than 160 hours of EMS continuing education, and more than 240 law enforcement training courses.

“We are investing in the latest technology to accommodate future demands,” Scheipe said. “By making these upgrades for Canadian customers, we are improving our platform’s reliability, enhancing our disaster recovery capabilities, and meeting Canada’s requirements.”

About TargetSolutions

TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand, delivers award-winning, real-time training and record-keeping solutions to the fire services, emergency medical services, risk pools, cities and municipalities, law enforcement and public works industries. The company provides engaging, accredited online training courses, cutting-edge software applications, and dynamic performance management solutions to help make organizations safer, more capable, and more compliant. For more information, visit www.targetsolutions.com. Follow us on Twitter @TargetSolutions and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/TargetSolutions.

About Vector Solutions

Vector Solutions, a leader in eLearning and performance support, provides award-winning SaaS solutions for the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), industrial, facilities management, public safety, IT and education industries. Its brands, RedVector, TargetSolutions, and SafeSchools, deliver continuing education (CE), training, technology and performance management solutions using the latest innovations in learning and technology to create safer, more capable, more compliant organizations. Its extensive online and mobile learning library exceeds more than 5,000 courses written by 200 subject matter experts and reaches over 5 million professionals worldwide. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.vector-solutions.com. Follow us on twitter @VectorPerform and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/VectorPerformance.

Marc Scheipe brings more than 20 years’ experience strengthening software services for existing customers and expanding into new markets.

SAN DIEGO – Vector Solutions, a leader in eLearning and performance support, is excited to announce Marc Scheipe has been selected to lead its public sector business unit and oversee the TargetSolutions brand. Scheipe, who most recently served as president for Sage Software NA, will focus on strengthening and expanding TargetSolutions’ industry-leading training management applications for public entities. With Scheipe at the helm, TargetSolutions is poised to continue its exceptional growth and increase its service offerings to meet the needs of all public-sector agencies.

“As a veteran, I am passionate about the mission to help save lives here at Vector Solutions, and I know the importance of the tools and training we provide to help achieve this. I am excited to share my expertise and passion to help the TargetSolutions tools reach the people who need it most,” said Scheipe, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

In his new role, Scheipe is responsible for building on the strong foundation of TargetSolutions’ core public safety business, as well as expanding into new markets and developing partnerships with government agencies seeking to streamline and maximize training and performance with innovative technology. Scheipe has held senior leadership roles in software, payments and financial services while consistently increasing revenue, implementing new business strategies and executing complex integrations.

Scheipe, an Atlanta resident, is a natural fit at TargetSolutions because of his previous military and business experience. TargetSolutions serves more than 200,000 emergency responders and Scheipe’s background as a TOPGUN graduate, experienced Lieutenant Commander, and FA-18 strike-fighter pilot, means he’s perfect for the job of serving those who work in the public sector.

“I am certain that Scheipe’s insight as a naval officer, along with his professional expertise, will prove to be a powerful combination and asset for strengthening the TargetSolutions brand,” said Jeff Gordon, CEO with Vector Solutions. “He understands our business and our mission – he understands what it means to serve. He sees our vision and knows how to get us there.”

About TargetSolutions

TargetSolutions, a Vector Solutions brand, delivers award-winning, real-time training and record-keeping solutions to the fire services, emergency medical services, risk pools, cities and municipalities, law enforcement and public works industries. The company provides engaging, accredited online training courses, cutting-edge software applications, and dynamic performance management solutions to help make organizations safer, more capable, and more compliant. For more information, visit www.targetsolutions.com. Follow us on Twitter @TargetSolutions and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/TargetSolutions.

About Vector Solutions

Vector Solutions, a leader in eLearning and performance support, provides award-winning SaaS solutions for the architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), industrial, facilities management, public safety, IT and education industries. Its brands, RedVector, TargetSolutions, and SafeSchools, deliver continuing education (CE), training, technology and performance management solutions using the latest innovations in learning and technology to create safer, more capable, more compliant organizations. Its extensive online and mobile learning library exceeds more than 5,000 courses written by 200 subject matter experts and reaches more than 5 million professionals worldwide. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.vector-solutions.com. Follow us on twitter @VectorPerform and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/VectorPerformance.

TargetSolutions’ NFPA 1410 Evolutions training series has been honored with a Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Learning Award.

SAN DIEGO – TargetSolutions, the leading provider of e-Learning applications for the fire service, is proud to announce its NFPA 1410 Evolutions training series has been awarded the prestigious Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Learning Award, taking home Silver honors for the “Best Use of Video for Learning” category.

Commonly referred to as the “Academy Awards” by learning, talent and business executives, the Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards Program debuted in 1994 as the first of its kind in the learning industry. Per Brandon Hall’s website, the Excellence Awards “recognize the best organizations that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results.”

Shot on location in St. Charles, Mo., and Land O’ Lakes, Fla., the production was aided with the full cooperation of the St. Charles Fire Department and Pasco County Fire Rescue to bring the series to life.

Vector Solutions, the parent company of TargetSolutions, assembled a team to storyboard the series, capture the drills on video, and then develop the 14-course training package that was formally released this past March. The final product is a series of stunning training courses driven by groundbreaking video demonstrations of the most commonly encountered fireground evolutions.

We asked some of the key players in the series’ development to reflect on the experience as well as what this award means:

PAUL COSTELLO, FF/EMT-P, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT

Paul Costello wrote and directed the NFPA 1410 Evolutions series while also serving as an onscreen instructor for each of the 14 installments. “From the project onset I felt this was a unique angle on training that hadn’t been successfully accomplished before. Our team’s work brought multiple dimensions of learning to the student that hadn’t ever been attempted in the industry. The end product is a learning platform that transcends jurisdictions and is also a primer for the seasoned officer as well as a tight how-to for the newer firefighter in the agency.”

BRYAN FITZGERALD, CONTENT MANAGER

Bryan Fitzgerald, who led the charge in developing these courses in post-production, praised the level of teamwork that was displayed to make this project a reality. “It’s excellent to see a project that required so much teamwork be recognized for this award. From the courses’ author, to the videographers who filmed the footage, to the editors and graphic designers who created the content, the developers from the Harbinger Group, everyone involved in this massive undertaking always held their work to the highest standards. This resulted in some of the most outstanding courses TargetSolutions has ever produced.”

GREG BALDWIN, MARKETING CONTENT SPECIALIST

Greg Baldwin was one of two videographers on location in St. Charles and is also credited with producing the TargetSolutions introductory fire logo in each of the 14 courses. “It’s humbling to see how our hard work is being recognized in the same category as globally known brands and companies. The field of competition really helps to put it all into perspective. Facebook took home a Bronze in the same category that the NFPA 1410 Evolutions took home a Silver.”

CHRIS ANDREWS, VIDEO PRODUCER

Chris Andrews was one of two videographers to capture the action on location and also edited the raw footage down to the bare essentials in post-production. “I feel like we had the perfect team out there and at the end of the day we put out a really good product that’s unmatched in the industry. It’s a great honor for our whole team to take home such a recognized and valuable award.”

JOHN HEINDEL, CONTENT DEVELOPER

John Heindel starred in post-production where he collected the edited catalog of video and images and developed a bulk of the courses in the series. “It’s encouraging to receive recognition for the NFPA 1410 course series, as it proves how effort, dedication, and teamwork lead to a successful product. These courses fuse evolution demonstrations with real-world scenarios, keeping today’s firefighters prepared, and it’s an honor to have participated in a project of such scope and magnitude.”

MICHAEL SCHREINER, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CONTENT

Michael Schreiner helped organize and oversee the entire production. He was also on location to capture the beautiful overhead drone shots seen in the courses. “One of the major advantages of combining our companies is the integration of the strong competencies each company brings to the table. Our TargetSolutions and RedVector content teams brought video production expertise that was filmed in creative ways like the firefighter industry has never seen.  Leveraging the strengths of both teams, paired with the additional subject matter expertise and actors from the St. Charles Fire Department made for the perfect blend of content and innovative video production.”

For more information about our award-winning NFPA 1410 Evolutions training series, please contact TargetSolutions today at (800) 840-8046.