Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Instructor (EVDT-I) & EMS Vehicle Operation (EMSVO)

This program is a train-the-trainer program which is designed to teach the necessary instructional methodology in order to successfully deliver the Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Instructor (EVDT-I) or the EMS Vehicle Operation (EMSVO) program. Upon completion, an instructor kit will be provided.

Traffic Incident Management Instructor (TIM-I)

The Traffic Incident Management (TIM) for Emergency Service Personnel program was developed by responders—for responders, with the objective that nationally; all organizations who respond to roadway incidents acquire a common set of core competencies that promote a shared understanding of the requirements for achieving the safety of responders and motorists, quick response, and effective communications at traffic incident scenes. VFIS has partnered with the Federal Highway Administration in making our program a SHRP2 equivalent program. A VFIS/SHRP2 certificate will be issued upon completion of this program. The target audience for this class includes a mix of Fire, Law Enforcement, Fire Police, EMS, Dispatchers, Road Department, Towing, and Traffic Management Professionals.

Emergency Services Trailer Operations & Safety Instructor (TRL-I)

As a result of many emergency service operational changes, equipment that was never considered is now being moved with increasing frequency. Often this equipment is needed, but cannot be carried on traditional vehicles. To meet these demands, emergency services organizations are purchasing trailers to transport equipment. Trailers can solve these organizational issues, yet many departments lack the expertise or training to hook up and move a trailer. This program was developed to teach the emergency vehicle operator the proper techniques and procedures for towing a trailer.

Patient Handling-Instructor (PH-I)

Every day we are called to scenes involving patient movement from simply putting a patient back in bed, to some of the most complex calls which challenge even the most experienced EMS provider. We have a variety of patient-moving devices available to transfer patients from point A to point B, safely. Why do we continue to drop patients? This program is intended to make patient care providers more aware of the issues surrounding patient transfer and preventing patients from being dropped.

Developing and Implementing SOPs/SOGs Student (SOP/SOG-S)

The purpose of this seminar is to assist emergency service organizations in developing and placing into practice, standard-operating guidelines.  A number of areas where SOPs/SOGs should be considered are presented. The class instruction and discussion will allow the participants to apply the principles of developing standard operating guidelines by actually writing one or more in draft form.  Working in breakout groups, participants will get to share ideas and experiences from other emergency service organizations. Often, participants arrive with a particular area of concern and find that others also share this concern in the workshop. The breakout group sessions provide an excellent opportunity to get a handle on addressing particular areas of concern.

Managing Volunteer & Combination Emergency Service Organizations (CEO)

You can't run the volunteer/combination fire or EMS organization the way you used to! Today's emergency service organization (ESO) is simply not an "emergency response agency". Your ESO is a quasi-business requiring a number of management practices needed by all volunteer organizations, particularly regarding finance, personnel issues and planning in order to function and survive. Each ESO has a number of leadership positions to divide the work load and provide for more focus in those positions. In essence, ESOs have changed from their original mission of response to an emergency to one of identifying potential problems, planning to deal with risks, educating the public, preparing the community in the event of an emergency, and responding to manage the problem that exists. This program will provide insights into the best practices in managing your modern day ESO. The target audiences for this program are those members that currently occupy management level positions in an ESO or those who may desire to one day become part of the management function within an ESO. 

Emergency Services UTV/ATV Safety Instructor (UTV/ATV-I)

Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV) and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) have gained wider acceptance and use in both the fire service and EMS. These vehicles can help responders take quick action with less physical exhaustion of department members. These vehicles not only help emergency responders that use them, but also benefit the people served by the emergency service organization. Adding UTVs and ATVs to an ESO fleet can provide great benefits but might also present safety issues if the vehicles have not been properly trained in the operation and maintenance. This safety program was developed to provide refresher training for ESOs that use these types of specialty vehicles.

Emergency Services Organization Organizational Planning and Strategic Focus Workshop (ST-PLAN)

This program is designed to assist volunteer and combination emergency service organizations in improving their overall performance. Whether called “transformation,” “performance management,” or “strategic planning,” the development of a strategic focus is the core to long term success. Based on the VFIS text “Transforming the Volunteer Fire Service” and the VFIS “Volunteer Fire Service Strategic Focus Model,” a road map to planning and decision-making for your organization is the end result. This workshop is the core product to understand what change is needed and how to implement that change.

Patient Care Documentation (PCD-I)

This session is designed for Instructors to teach and openly discuss the importance of proper documentation of all patient care contacts. In reflection, actual patient care scenarios will be used to highlight the results of poor patient care documentation. The role of the Quality Assurance Manager is essential if the system is to mature into a sophisticated patient care delivery system. Professional malpractice, management liability, patient refusals or care and/or transportation, dispatch errors, and failure to respond are all issues covered under your instructorship.

Risk Management in the Fire Service

This awareness session addresses the many areas of exposure that fire service personnel, providers of pre-hospital care and patient transportation face in their day-to-day operation.  Subjects discussed include professional liability, fire suppression and rescue, report documentation, incident reports, and adherence to standing operations. Actual case scenarios will be used to highlight the importance of the topics discussed. The participant will acquire a deeper appreciation of the need to provide care according to their protocols or standing orders, scope of practice, and the present standard of care expected in their part of the world.

Emergency Service Consolidation Principles and Practices (CONS)

This is a 3 hour seminar on current issues involving emergency service organization consolidations and strategic planning. These two management practices are becoming expectations of the fire and EMS system. Learn practical techniques and tools to use to understand and apply the principles and practices of Strategic Planning and Consolidation from the expert who has worked with over 200 agencies on these issues.

EMS Ethics (EMS-E)

Abstract: “ Hypochondriac, basket case, frequent flyer, and taxi run.” These words depict vivid images in our minds, but have we forgotten why we entered emergency services. Are we in this profession for the right reasons and are we doing the best job possible. Today, providers are entering the profession ill-prepared to face the “realities” of emergency services; the opinions and stereotypes that can occur.  Join us for an enlightening look at ethical issues from a different perspective, that of the patient!

Incident Investigation (IncInv)

One of the best tools that we have to enable the prevention of injuries and deaths is the investigation of all accidents that occur involving an Emergency Service Organization (ESO), regardless of whether a death, injury or serious property damage was the result.  It is in the investigation, and specifically in the information gathered during incident investigations, where we may find the solutions to many of the problems that create needless losses.

This course has been developed by members of the emergency services to assist ESOs in developing and incident investigation program and to provide resources to assist in investigating internal incidents.  The course is not limited to the investigation of vehicular incidents, although they constitute a large portion of the incidents experienced by the emergency service community. 

Intersection Safety Student (IS-S)

Intersections are the locations responsible for the largest percentage of major incidents involving emergency vehicles. Even with the use of warning devices, intersections pose a serious threat to the safety of both emergency service personnel as well as the general public. This program will provide the student with the knowledge of intersection safety using; best practices, case studies, organization’s SOGs, state statutes and applicable standards. 

Rollover Prevention Student (ROLL-S)

Emergency vehicle rollovers are an all too frequent cause of vehicle damage, serious injury and fatalities. Very often, however, these incidents are of a highly preventable nature. All emergency vehicles are subject to rollovers, but tankers, pumper tankers and ambulances are particularly vulnerable because of their high center of gravity. This program will provide the student with the knowledge necessary to prevent rollover incidents using; laws of physics, best practices, case studies, organization’s SOGs, state statutes and applicable standards.

Financial and Reputation Management Student (FM-S)

Almost weekly we hear or read about an emergency service organization that has experienced a theft of funds, misappropriation of funds, or some similar “fidelity” related loss.  These situations create not only a financial challenge for the organization, but present a negative image in the community.  This class has been developed to raise awareness and discuss steps that an ESO can take to help protect themselves.  This class reviews case studies and provides 10 practices for financial system management and sample policies.

Risk Management for EMS

Today's Emergency Medical Service Leader is faced with many administrative responsibilities. Much of this work involves reducing overhead costs, preventing injuries and protecting the people who do the job. This course was developed to help the emergency serviced manager understand the principles of loss control programs. This risk management program introduces a systematic method that helps the user investigate and identify problem areas and provides for the ability to implement a loss control program based on the loss control principles that will reduce unnecessary damage, injury and overhead costs. 

Traffic Incident Management - Student

The Traffic Incident Management (TIM) for Emergency Service Personnel program was developed by responders—for responders, with the objective that nationally; all organizations who respond to roadway incidents acquire a common set of core competencies that promote a shared understanding of the requirements for achieving the safety of responders and motorists, quick response, and effective communications at traffic incident scenes. VFIS has partnered with the Federal Highway Administration in making our program a SHRP2 equivalent program. A VFIS/SHRP2 certificate will be issued upon completion of this program. The target audience for this class includes a mix of Fire, Law Enforcement, Fire Police, EMS, Dispatchers, Road Department, Towing, and Traffic Management Professionals.

Combination Emergency Services UTV/ATV/Trailer Operations & Safety – Instructor

Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV), All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), and Trailers have gained wider acceptance and use in both the fire service and EMS.  Often equipment is needed, but cannot be accessed by or carried on traditional vehicles.  To meet these demands, emergency services organizations are purchasing specialty vehicles and trailers to transport equipment. These pieces of equipment can solve these organizational issues, yet many departments lack the expertise or training for safe operation.  This offering is a combination of two instructor-level programs developed to teach the emergency vehicle operator the proper techniques and procedures for operating these specialty vehicles and trailers safely.

The Emergency Service Culture - Defining It and Understanding It

Emergency service demands and operations are constantly changing. These changing demands and operations require public safety professionals to change as people, equipment, operations and expectations change. The first step in the change-management process is to understand and modify organizational culture to meet those new expectations.

Changing or Creating a Safety Culture for Fire & EMS Agencies

Emergency service demands and operations are constantly changing. These changing demands and operations require public safety professionals to change as people, equipment, operations and expectations change. The first step in the change-management process is to understand and modify organizational culture to meet those new expectations.

Emergency Responder Safety - Student

Appropriate for all emergency response personnel, this training aims to increase the level of awareness of the hazards faced by fire and EMS personnel. Chief Officers and Administrators will learn the types of hazards faced by personnel for the development of appropriate risk management strategies. Company officers will receive insight into the importance of accountability, beyond tracking people on a scene, and fire and EMS personnel will benefit by understanding their personal responsibility to safety.

Recruitment & Retention

The intent of this class is to initiate a foundation for a long-term program by exploring challenges and potential solutions. The class will feature a variety of strategies in order to help you to implement a successful recruitment and retention programs in your community.

Emergency Responder Safety - Instructor

Appropriate for all emergency response personnel, this training aims to increase the level of awareness of the hazards faced by fire and EMS personnel. Chief Officers and Administrators will learn the types of hazards faced by personnel for the development of appropriate risk management strategies. Company officers will receive insight into the importance of accountability, beyond tracking people on a scene, and fire and EMS personnel will benefit by understanding their personal responsibility to safety.

Cancer and the Firefighter

This seminar serves as an introduction to cancer’s impact on emergency responder. It is important to understand the information and resources available to assist you and your organization to understanding, prevent and manage the risk of firefighter cancer.

Risk Control for Mid-Level Managers

The program is designed for field supervisory personnel and training officers. Risk Control for Mid-Level Managers reintroduces the student to risk control with emphasis on identifying, managing and controlling risk as well as potential risk pitfalls associated with Emergency Service Organizations. The program is instructor driven and interactive through group discussion. The program concludes with review of case studies covering various risks including vehicle operations, medical malpractice, general liability from a facilities perspective and employment practices liability.

The overall goal of the program is to provide an understanding of how each individual position within an organization plays an integral and vitally important role in overall risk reduction. Risk reduction will aid in the creation and sustainability of a safety culture within your organization. Additional topics include written policies, rules and regulations, as well as equal and equitable enforcement. This program is applicable to career, volunteer or combination departments both fire and EMS.