The Action Training Systems Emergency Responder Blog

Can competency-based Fire/EMS training be achieved on a budget?

Posted by Elise Andreasen on Fri, January 20, 2012 @ 12:50PM

Can competency-based Fire/EMS training be achieved on a budget?

Time and time again we hear there is an increasing need for quality training for emergency responders, but budgets are being cut and departments and organizations have to consider layoffs.  

Is there an option to reduce the amount spent on training without compromising the quality of the training provided?

I think before answering that question, the comment must be made that you cannot put a price tag on the value of emergency response training. It is common knowledge that quality training is essential to insure the safety of your staff as well as our community members. Now, the answer to the question is YES, you do have options when it comes to quality firefighter training, EMS training, industrial fire brigade training and all other emergency response training.

One option is to supplement your hands-on training with other training resources.  Classroom training and distance learning cannot replace hands-on training, but they can be used to enhance hands-on training.  There are also several great training materials available for instructors and trainers that cost less than outsourcing all your department/organization training.  

There are training DVDs with high-quality video that have been proven to be great companions to industry-leading emergency response training manuals.   Interactive computer-based training programs  can be installed on a stand-alone computer or networked in a computer lab. These programs provide students with an opportunity to take courses on specific topics, learn specific training objectives, take interactive quizzes and exams and then have that information tracked and recorded by the instructor. This type of training has been proven to significantly increase student competency in the subject matter, better preparing students for hands-on training and increasing confidence out in the field. In addition to DVD and computer-based training, there are also some great simulation software programs on the market that can be used by the instructor to create or re-create fire, HAZMAT or emergency response stages of an incident and present them for testing and evaluation.

In-house training is becoming more popular, and there are companies out there doing a great job of providing competency-based training that is improving student comprehension and confidence. Some are very efficient in their delivery methods and are affordable, however it is important to thoroughly check into the quality of content of any training program you are considering. Some companies focus on meeting departments’ budget needs, but the level of content and student competency levels could be compromised.  There are options out there that will meet your needs in terms of quality of training, affordability and efficiency.

Action Training has always been known for their high-level quality training content, but it is equally important to them to meet department and organization needs in terms of budget and efficiency of delivery. Their entire staff is devoted to providing you with the best emergency response training resources on the market and their group of highly qualified training consultants will help make your needs a reality.  For more information, go to www.action-training.com or call 800-755-1440 ex 3

 

Tags: EMS training, emergency responder Training, first responder training