TargetSolutions Announces Winner of 2014 Training Officer Recognition Award; Special Ceremony Scheduled for Fire-Rescue International
San Diego, California (PRWEB) July 31, 2014 -- TargetSolutions, the industry leader in online public safety training and records management, will present the 2014 Training Officer Recognition Award alongside the IAFC’s Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) at the annual Fire-Rescue International Conference (FRI). Scheduled for August 13-16 in Dallas, TX, the conference is one of the most important and well-attended events on the fire service’s calendar.
Captain Chip Everett, of Oshtemo Township Fire Department in Michigan, edged out a large group of worthy candidates who were nominated for this honor. At a special ceremony during the VCOS annual section meeting on August 14, Everett will accept the award, which was created to acknowledge exemplary conduct befitting a training officer.
The Oshtemo combination department employs six full-time and thirty on-call members responsible for answering around 2,000 calls each year. When Everett, the Department’s training and safety officer, first learned he was being recognized for the training he delivers, he was taken aback.
“I was really surprised and very humbled. I didn't even know I had been nominated,” he said. “It is always nice to be recognized for the work you do and the time you put in. But at the same time, I don’t know about having the focus on me, necessarily. We have a really solid group in our county and we do a lot of joint training. It’s not just one person, it’s a broader effort.”
That may be true, but Oshtemo Deputy Chief Rick Griffin believes Everett’s impact on their department and the Kalamazoo County Training Committee has been monumental. On the nomination form, Griffin cited numerous areas where Everett has gone above and beyond. Among his many contributions to the department’s currently straining program, Everett worked closely with the NIST committee, attended the National Fire Academy and train-the-trainer classes to improve his delivery techniques, and also pursued standardized training throughout the county.
“Chip continues to develop new ways to provide training,” Griffin said. “One of the recent additions to our department training is a ‘road rally.’ This not only allows our drivers to pick the best route to addresses, but gives the crews tasks to complete at each location. The team with the best time in completing all tasks gets rewarded with dinner. This has helped build teamwork and camaraderie. His (Everett) tireless efforts to make sure we are one of the leaders in our county makes him the go-to-guy for not only our department, but for members of all of our county’s departments.”
The opportunity to work with the VCOS and honor Everett is a special opportunity for TargetSolutions, according to Executive Vice President Thom Woodward. The fact that it’s all going to happen at this year’s biggest conference makes it even more significant.
"FRI is a premier event for the fire service,” Woodward said. “We find it very valuable to be an exhibitor. The FRI Expo Hall allows our prospects and clients to experience what’s new from TargetSolutions. We present live demos, are available to talk one-on-one and collect information about needs and interests. It’s also the venue where we have the privilege of recognizing the Training Officer of the Year, an IAFC/VCOS award that TargetSolutions sponsors.”
TargetSolutions will be presenting its online system at booth No. 5508 in FRI’s Expo Hall. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the industry’s most comprehensive online training management solution.
About TargetSolutions
TargetSolutions delivers cutting-edge software applications, engaging online training courses, and world-class customer service. The company was founded in 1999 and today there are more than 2,000 organizations across the country using TargetSolutions’ innovative technology to solve their training challenges. Website: http://www.targetsolutions.com // Phone: (800) 840-8048
About IAFC Volunteer & Combination Officers Section
VCOS provides chiefs and chief officers who manage volunteers within a volunteer or combination fire, rescue or EMS delivery system with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism. Website: http://www.vcos.org // Phone: (703) 273-0911
Rich Miron, TargetSolutions, http://www.targetsolutions.com, +1 (866) 546-1212 Ext: 1033, [email protected]
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