Emergency Services Personnel Can Benefit from Computer Training
Oftentimes, emergency services personnel receive extensive training when they attend academy. With the initial phases of training, the subject matter is mostly academic in focus. For example, law enforcement personnel cover topics such as drug recognition, state law, hazardous materials recognition, and many more thorough hours of classroom instruction. The remainder of training comes from hands-on training.
For a portion of the hands-on training, computers are central. As an example, law enforcement students are presented with “shoot or don’t shoot” scenarios. These are played out in video game-like settings, whereby the officer-in-training stands on a padded surface that can detect every movement, such as shifting side-to-side, kneeling, or ducking. When the officer is standing on the surface, he or she has a weapon that is “holstered.” In the training situation, the student is provided a scenario in which he or she must decide whether or not he or she should shoot a subject. During the course of this training, the officer’s every action or lack thereof is monitored, including verbal commands that are given to the “perpetrator.” This computer training has proven immeasurably beneficial over the years in regard to measuring prospective law enforcement officials’ skills.
In the world of Emergency Services, certification is imperative. Included in the definition of Emergency Services personnel are police, fire, and EMS. In most states these personnel are required to maintain certification through a points system. Personnel earn points through course completion; annual certification in different subject matter and annual re-certifications.
In addition to the points earned for required academic subjects, there are points awarded for similar training courses. These ‘extra’ subject matter are often considered an acceptable substitution for required subjects.
In the past 15 years, budget constraints and other factors have meant that subject matter is being reorganized in order to accommodate computer training. This has been cost effective for both state and local agencies. Because budgets are not stretched as then, funds can be made available for special projects and other needs.
There are many examples of computer training received by Emergency Services personnel. Of the many important classes, for example, are Hazardous Material recognition courses. The benefit of completing a course such as this is twofold: the materials can be covered easily during a shift, and instant results are generated. The fact that a computer training course can be completed during a shift makes it cost effective for a small department in terms of travel expense, wear and tear on a vehicle, and time lost to training.
If policemen wish to get trained on a subject that normally would require attendance at a distant training conference, computer-training courses can provide a significant benefit. These courses can cover topics such as drug recognition and are easy to find. In general, each state’s law enforcement training division also recognizes these courses.
While a policemen may be discouraged from taking such a course during duty hours, it is entirely possible to complete such a course during off-duty hours. Again, this type of computer training course benefits not only the officer, but the Department.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of computer training for Emergency Services personnel is the one aspect of their lives that become the most neglected family time.
Filed under: Computers & Technology