Vector Solutions - Experts & Thought Leaders

Vector Solutions, the globally renowned provider of technology solutions to help train, prepare, and retain public safety professionals, announced that it is working with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) to host NFPA's ground-breaking virtual training program for first responders. NFPA received a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to build this training that will enhance firefighter competency in responding to emerging distributed energy technologies and lithium-ion battery fires. NFPA FIRST Application The NFPA Fire Incident Response Simulated Training (FIRST) Application offers a game-like simulated training experience designed to address renewable technology emerging hazards. This immersive program allows firefighters to train in realistic virtual scenarios, such as fighting electric vehicles and energy storage fires in residential garages. The application is based on real-world test data, enabling firefighters to engage in interactive, multi-user simulations that mirror actual incidents. This training is engineered to help improve their response times and effectiveness, ultimately enhancing public safety. TargetSolutions Training Management System "Since the inception of NFPA's electric vehicle and hybrid fire safety training courses 14 years ago, we've seen about 350,000 firefighters benefit from these in-depth lessons," said Andrew Klock, NFPA Senior Manager of Education and Development. Andrew Klock adds, "Our hope in working with Vector Solutions is to meet the needs of today's digital learners by using Vector's responder platforms to reach the millions of first responders who may battle these types of fires in their own communities." Vector Solutions and NFPA partnership With a focus on the Fire and EMS market, Vector worked with NFPA to distribute essential training Vector Solutions has a long-standing history of serving state, county, and municipal governmental entities since its founding in 1999.  With a focus on the Fire and EMS market, Vector worked with NFPA to distribute essential training through the TargetSolutions Training Management System. This collaboration aims to address the evolving needs of firefighters through innovative training solutions. TargetSolutions custom Activity "We are honored to support the NFPA in providing their cutting-edge training to firefighters across the country," said Josh Grossman, General Manager of the Public Sector at Vector Solutions, adding "Our work together exemplifies our united commitment to ensuring first responders feel prepared and protected as they battle today's emergencies." Vector Solutions is also supporting this initiative with a pre-built TargetSolutions custom Activity in its versatile training management system that allows fire departments to track and report on their personnel's training progress, ensuring they receive the credit deserved for their participation in this innovative simulation.

Vector Solutions, the provider of technology solutions to help train, prepare, and retain public safety professionals, announced the launch of AgencyConnect, the only data-sharing solution connecting local departments' training management systems to those used by state-certifying authorities and training academies. AgencyConnect establishes a single repository for first responder preparedness and documentation, allowing them to focus on more important tasks like preparedness initiatives. Challenges with fragmented systems Until recently, there has been no inherent connection between the systems that state standards and training/certifying bodies use and the software and paper processes being utilized by local personnel to manually submit training records to maintain their certifications.  For too long, first responders and state authorities have been challenged with fragmented systems, with training and certification records distributed across academies, local departments, and state regulatory agencies and in many cases in paper files locked away in an office.  maintain compliance Once the information is obtained, it must be submitted via multiple and varying systems When the time comes to track down the information needed, the files are extremely difficult to access, resulting in wasted time. Once the information is obtained, it must be submitted via multiple and varying systems to maintain compliance, making an already long process more time-consuming and taking time away from focusing on preparedness initiatives. trained and qualified first responders "Assurance that our first responders are trained and qualified for the critical role they play in public safety impacts us all," said Jonathan Cherins, CEO of Vector Solutions. "Yet, the disconnected, cumbersome, and time-consuming processes currently in place to track and report all their training and certifications is outdated." AgencyConnect It enables state training authorities to automatically collect and verify hundreds of thousands of records AgencyConnect provides a real-time, single repository across state agencies, academies, and local departments. It enables state training authorities to automatically collect and verify hundreds of thousands of records submitted annually from agencies across the state.  Benefits Some of the benefits departments will see using AgencyConnect include: Reduced time-intensive, manual processes that inhibit training reviews Simplified training reporting to reduce the risk of out-of-compliance first responders Better preparedness insight from comprehensive certification, renewal, and training information  automated training submissions Vector Solutions tool exemplifies their commitment to modernizing and improving training and certification The Missouri Division of Fire Safety, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy, and The Georgia Firefighters Standards and Training Council are AgencyConnect founding partners, enabling an easier process for local agencies across their states to access, track, and report their first responder training including automated training submissions. The decision to integrate this Vector Solutions tool exemplifies their commitment to modernizing and improving training and certification management for their respective departments across Missouri, Utah, New Mexico, and Georgia. streamline officer training "In response to the demand for increased accountability and enhanced training within the law enforcement profession, there is a strong desire for local agency solutions that streamline officer training and automate reporting," said John Jacobs, Utah POST Training Manager. "We require innovative technological solutions to enhance our efficiency, and Vector Solutions is stepping up to meet that demand." training and certification records Automating training submissions would save time and the headaches of having to submit rosters" Additionally, the Training Operations Manager for the New Mexico Firefighters Training Academy said, "If a training officer contacts me wanting to get the student training and certification records for one of their members and I could pull up everything he has done at the Academy, plus all of the training completed at his local department with AgencyConnect, it would save everyone a lot of time." "I know there are other states that also track all training data, including non-certification training, so automating training submissions would save time and the headaches of having to submit rosters and course materials." enhancing efficiency "Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training is new to Acadis and we are enjoying the possibilities provided," said Randy Toms, Executive Director of The Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training. "We are especially excited about the combining of Acadis through our agency and Vector Solutions with departments to continue enhancing efficiency throughout the State of Georgia."

Wildfires swept through the Panhandle region of Texas earlier in 2024. The Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire, both starting on Feb. 26, were the most significant outbreaks. The Smokehouse Creek Fire went on to become the second largest in U.S. history, burning over a million acres across Texas and Oklahoma before it was contained in mid-March. worst-ever wildfire As Texas battled its worst-ever wildfire, firefighters worked to mitigate fire and smoke damage. Among the challenges were staffing shortages. The United States is facing a serious firefighter shortage that makes fighting wildfires, including the Smokehouse Creek fire, even more difficult. Not unrelatedly, over half of all firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers.  training in structural fires Vector Solutions helps agencies train, prepare, and retain their employees to have a safer, better team “We just know how demanding the wildfire season is and how fast these fires can grow,” says Robbi King, Solutions Engineer at Vector Solutions. “We want our people to be current on the expectations of what we are training, preventing our chance of getting hurt,” he says. As fires increasingly occur at the wildland-urban interface (WUI), departments with training in structural fires should expand their training knowledge to prepare. Vector Solutions helps agencies train, prepare, and retain their employees to have a safer, better team. online firefighting training In addition to the availability of more than 450 hours of online firefighting training, the company also provides software platforms to ensure requisite knowledge and the ability to perform various skills.  Ensuring preparation for wildfire season, Vector Solutions has courses that meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) requirements to renew certification. shortage of volunteer firefighters The shortage of volunteer firefighters is in part a reflection of the need for volunteers to hold full-time jobs to support their families, which limits their time for volunteering. Coverage of wildfire events, for example, is difficult during the day when more volunteers are at their paid jobs and unavailable.  “It takes the sacrifice of vacation and other things you earn to be a volunteer,” says King. Firefighter staffing is short throughout the U.S., and agencies facing fire emergencies often call on the larger surrounding area for help. Lack of resources in emergencies Local volunteers can perform some of the duties, but outside aid generally comes in the form of paid firefighters Resources are needed to perform search-and-rescue duties after the fire. “The problem is, when you call on all your assets, are there enough people to take care of medical needs and other emergencies?” says King. Local volunteers can perform some of the duties, but outside aid generally comes in the form of paid firefighters. Volunteers cannot commit two weeks of unpaid time even in a fire emergency.  Artificial intelligence Artificial intelligence (AI) can help to identify areas to search, but it takes human intervention to perform rescues and to facilitate recovery. A decayed power pole sparking dry grass was determined as the cause of the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Texas, and several other fires were also traced back to faulty power equipment. The fires caused significant damage, including hundreds of homes destroyed, livestock deaths, and widespread destruction of crops and ranch infrastructure.  Wildfire impact and concerns  A huge concern during wildfire season is that individuals heed evacuation orders when they come in. “We don’t want people to be left behind,” says King. “There’s nothing there that is worth your life. Minding the evacuation orders gets you out of harm’s way.” Residents in areas impacted by wildfire should also do their part to protect their homes; sometimes it’s as simple as mowing the grass. role of the weather Additional moisture can contribute to the rapid thickening of undergrowth, which contributes eventually The weather plays a significant role in determining the course of the wildfire season. Additional moisture can contribute to the rapid thickening of undergrowth, which contributes eventually to a cycle of drying out and opening the door to wildfires.  The location of residences near areas prone to wildfires can contribute to risks, especially along the wildland-urban interface. “Communities want to live near nature, so they work with builders, who are trying to appease what they want,” says King. Vector Solutions Cloud “We need to look at where we are placing these homes to make sure we are pushing the vegetation back far enough to prevent the spread of fires.” Keeping firefighter skills current also makes a big difference. The Vector Solutions Cloud stores video of first responders performing skills and the video can be observed and critiqued later for better training.  Scheduling and Check It Vector also provides Vector Scheduling, a time-and-attendance tool. Vector Check It streamlines routine truck and equipment tracking and centralizes asset and inventory management. Vector’s Guardian Tracking is a performance management and early intervention solution that equips first responders with a process for consistent feedback and positive recognition while identifying those in need of intervention before an adverse event takes place.  Guardian Tracking Software The system can also identify when people are performing below expectations or fail to meet standards Vector Solutions can contribute to firefighter retention. The Guardian Tracking software can identify career milestone events and trace the negative impacts of a major fire event, including emotional stress. The system can also identify when people are performing below expectations or fail to meet standards. “Most agencies have de-brief sessions after milestone events, but sometimes we need additional care,” says King. impact due to COVID  “We want to take care of people, but sometimes we need a reminder.” If departments can retain people, it becomes less of a recruitment effort. Four years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact on the fire service is still being felt. “We are still identifying the long-lasting COVID effects, and there are small segments of communities that have not fully recovered,” says King. ”When you expose them to wildland fire and smoke, it compounds the issues.”  risk assessment It will be some time before the full impact of COVID is understood, including the need for first responders to go inside residences at the height of the pandemic.  “My work with the fire service and the military prepared me to always think about possibilities,” says King. “We do a risk assessment, which has allowed me to understand what the fire service needs and how we can apply our solutions to streamline and improve agencies’ processes. Having that knowledge has helped me find the right solution for firefighter needs.” 

An ISO rating is a score between one and ten that indicates how well a fire department serves its local community. Determined by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics, the rating is based on a Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). The lower the score, the better the rating, with a score of one being the best possible rating.   Evaluation criteria For communities, the ISO rating is a reference to an agency’s capabilities to extinguish a structure fire based on this national standard. ISO evaluates three main factors: the department itself (50% of the total score), the available water supply (40% of the total), and the communications center (10% of the total).   detailed and lengthy process However, there is much more that goes into a department's ability to protect a community In terms of the ability to protect the community, ISO only looks at a few critical details thus only reflecting how well departments are doing in those three categories. However, there is much more that goes into a department's ability to protect a community. Achieving an ISO score is a detailed and lengthy process that requires coordination among fire, water, and 911 center departments to work together to ensure the best possible result for the best resources available to a community.   Challenges to make fire, water, and 911 center work together “It can be a challenge to coordinate so many moving parts, but each of the three must work together and make improvements for the overall score to improve,” says Robbi King, Solutions Engineer at Vector Solutions, a provider of compliance-based software solutions. “With most departments being all-hazards departments, ensuring any budgeted dollars are maximized for the positive effect of the ISO ratings should remain top of mind. Matching those dollars to the rating is critical for the citizens of the community.”  training and workforce management Fire departments are deeply familiar with the ISO rating process as they are all held to this standard Vector Solutions is a pioneer in training and workforce management technology that enables Fire and Rescue Departments to meet their demanding training, compliance, and preparedness objectives including ISO.   Fire departments are deeply familiar with the ISO rating process as they are all held to this standard. When it comes to the general public, more education is needed. ISO rating process The average person often does not know that these ratings exist or how they affect the community, says King. Additionally, ISO rating is only one facet of today's fire department. It requires a single person or group of people to gain the necessary knowledge and time to create changes and improvements to make a lasting impact on their community.  community evaluations The evaluation is a large project that takes many staffing hours to prepare annually The general public tends to have an oversimplified view of ISO ratings: A fire hydrant in the front yard equates to cheaper insurance. However, the community evaluations actually look at many factors of the fire, water, and communications departments to set this rating from equipment and daily staffing levels to how long it takes for a 911 call to be answered. The evaluation is a large project that takes many staffing hours to prepare annually.   public safety suite of products Through Vector Solutions’ public safety suite of products, including software for training management, policy distribution, personnel scheduling, critical incident, and exposure tracking, agencies are better prepared with documentation that authenticates details required under ISO ratings, says King. With an online course library including more than 450 hours of fire department training with 250+ hours of CAPCE-approved EMS recertification courses, Vector Solutions prioritizes worker safety alongside robust documentation to achieve a positive score.  Vector Solutions’ Scheduling and Vector Check Vector Check, a mobile equipment repair and maintenance app, ensures agencies have better documentation Both Vector Solutions’ Scheduling work management software and Vector Check, a mobile equipment repair and maintenance app, ensure agencies have better documentation to support individual preparedness for success. These tools can be used to report daily staffing levels and pull reports from all necessary tests completed on the department's equipment.  TargetSolutions Additionally, tools like the TargetSolutions online training management system can aid in reporting required training hours upon completion. These examples of preparedness documentation are essential for ISO ratings as they look to ensure individuals and agencies as a whole are up to date on training and other preparedness initiatives.   Improvement in hydrant flow It can also note the best place to loop in another water main to improve the flow as well But how can technology identify places for improvement of elements like hydrant water flow? Hydrants are placed within a subdivision before roads are even made. If the water flow at the hydrants in a subdivision is not enough, the agency can use technology to find the best place to improve the water system and increase the water flow available. Technology can help by identifying the sizes of water mains to see if improving the volume or increasing the pressure would improve the flow in that area. It can also note the best place to loop in another water main to improve the flow as well.  an all-hazards agency The “fire department” title is likely an outdated name for most agencies today, says King. Today, they are an all-hazards agency, and structural firefighting is only one facet of what makes the agency special. ISO only looks at this one facet. Many agencies have a hard time achieving or maintaining a high ISO rating because structural firefighting isn’t the only work that they are required to do day in and day out.  Fire Suppression Rating Schedule Then work to identify what would be needed to gain those additional points to improve the rating" “Fire, water, and 911 center departments must coordinate to ensure the best possible ISO ratings,” says King. “This begins with reviewing the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule as a group and discussing each area to see where the community stands. Then work to identify what would be needed to gain those additional points to improve the rating.”  AgencyConnect Along with contacting and attending sessions with Verisk/ISO, gaining insight from a department’s individual questions and their training is essential to maximize a community’s effort. Recently, Vector Solutions announced a new tool called AgencyConnect, a data-sharing solution connecting local departments' training management systems to those used by state-certifying authorities and training academies.  simplifying training reporting Previously, training and certification records were distributed across agencies and academies, often locked away as a paper copy. By simplifying training reporting and reducing time-intensive, manual processes, more time can be spent ensuring first responders have the proper training that is essential when it comes time for ISO ratings.