Career Online Training is Fired Up

One local Georgia fire department is planning to use career online training for its employees. Visit http://www.proassisting.com/ee to learn more.

The Peachtree City Fire Department recently announced that it will offer online training courses for its 142 career and volunteer personnel. The department won approval from the City Council to shift $11,261 from other training programs under this year's budget to fund the online training.

That funding came as a result of the elimination of out-of-town training for water rescue, as the city made a deal with Fayette County and the training now takes place at Lake Horton, which is located nearby. That initiative saved the department $4,736, with the remainder of the funding coming from $6,525 that was saved from training on the department's software program.

While the department will continue to offer live hands-on training and drills, the online training offers a good alternative to the department's mix of full-time members and part-time members, many of who work full-time for other departments.

According to an article by The Citizen Online, the training courses are Web-based and available 24-hours per day. The program allows each department member's training record to be tracked to ensure they are receiving the necessary information.

Last year, the department conducted a three-month pilot program using the training. During that time, more than 3,300 hours of instruction was offered online. The content included fire, EMS, driving, hazardous material response, leadership and other training.

The courses have been approved for continuing education credit by state and federal agencies, including the National Fire Protection Association. Fire department officials have said they plan to use the online training for years to come for both paid and volunteer personnel.