Emergency Services Personnel Computer Training

In their professional schooling, emergency services personnel receive extensive training. In the initial phases of training, the focus is mainly academic in regard to subject matter. For example, law enforcement personnel go over topics such as drug recognition, hazardous materials recognition, state laws, and many more hours of classroom instruction. The rest of the training occurs in hands-on situations.

For some of the hands-on training, computers are central. For example, law enforcement students encounter "shoot or don't shoot" scenarios. These situations are played out similar to video games, in which the officer stands on a padded surface that can detect every movement, such as kneeling, ducking, or shifting side to side. While the officer stands on the surface, he or she has a weapon "holstered" and then is provided a scenario in which he or she must decide whether or not he or she should shoot a subject. While the training happens, the officer's every action or lack thereof is monitored, including verbal commands that are given to the "subject." This computer training is invaluable and has been over the years because it provides such significant evaluation of prospective law enforcement officials.

Emergency services certification is mandatory. Emergency services personnel include EMS, fire and police. In most states, emergency personnel are required to maintain certification through a points system. Emergency services personnel earn points through completing courses. Annual certifications and re-certification is also done for different subject areas.

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 fifteen years, due to budget constraints and other factors, annual academic subject matter is being rearranged to accommodate computer training. This has proven cost effective to state and local agencies: budgets aren't stretched thin, leaving funds available for special projects and such.

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.

For policemen desiring to obtain training on subject matter that would normally require their attendance at a far off training conference, this is a boon. Computer training courses covering topics such as drug recognition are relatively easy to find. These courses are generally recognized by the respective law enforcement training division of the given state.

While policemen may be discouraged from taking these courses while on duty, it's entirely possible to do so while off duty. As stated previously, this type of computer training benefits not just the officer, but the department as well.

One of the biggest benefits of computer training for emergency services personnel is that it allows them more time for a significantly neglected aspect of their lives: family time.

By: Ian Traynor..

Ian Traynor has been training people in the use of computers and in internet marketing for many years. In more recent years, he has focused more attention on online training. He has brought together a collection of computer training articles at: Computer Training Secrets:

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