Maintaining Compliance Within Your Department

Why Your Department Must Be Compliant
Many compliance regulations may seem insignificant, outdated or even tedious, and consequently fall to the wayside because they are not considered pressing matters. However, the creation of those rules, whether by the local, state or federal government is not just politicking; departmental regulations are intended to keep all firefighters and staff safe and secure while at the station and in the field. Workplace injuries due to inadequate training can have a huge impact on individual firefighters and the whole department.

Aside from the societal impact, failing to be compliant within a department, particularly when it affects an emergency responder’s unit, can result in serious incident. This serious incident causes a domino effect of problems and could result in a substantial financial loss for the department. The spiral effect of failing to comply with department and governmental regulations is startling and it is for that reason that there are various online programs aimed at helping an administrator make sense of the complicated process of maintaining compliance.

How to Maintain Compliance
The best way to maintain compliance within your department is to establish clear policies and procedures. This is especially important in industries such as EMS and fire which have different training programs available and various recertification deadlines. These policies should be aimed at preventing incidents, controlling what happens in the event of a serious incident, and a should include master schedule to stay current on new training available and to record employee participation in the programs. Being a proactive leader is critical in the adherence of regulations.

To maintain maximum compliance, develop a system that includes protocol to assign, monitor, and track training. There also needs to be a procedure for reporting a problem. Ensure that this new system is clearly explained and that a printout of the organization’s policies is distributed. Clear communication is the first step towards having a compliant department.

Using an Online Tool to Stay Compliant
As an administrator there is a lot to keep track of. An online organization tool will save your department time and money in the long run.

An online service such as TargetSafety’s PreventionLink provides the administrator with an easy and affordable option when compared to an old fashioned filing system which is difficult to maintain. With this program, the administrator can communicate with employees reminding them of upcoming conferences, track employee training deadlines and certification expirations as well as company specific projects, and distribute surveys. Compiling data and records is also simplified as PreventionLink’s API is compatible with PeopleSoft, ZOLL, Firehouse and TeleStaff.

Continuing education programs and compliance activities are made easy with these online management tools by allowing organizations to customize tests for online courses and educational presentations including HAZMAT, EMT and firefighter training. Online courses include courses from the American Heart Association, such as BLS for Healthcare Providers Online Part 1, as well as HR and OSHA classes, professional development classes, and emergency vehicle driver training to name a few. TargetSafety’s program is aimed at not only maintaining department compliance, but also furthering careers by providing easy to attend online classes. Online classes allow participants to attend courses at their convenience and provide feedback on materials distributed. For busy first responders with changing schedules, this serves as the best option to ensure completion of a course and compliance with mandated schedules.

Save Money While Maintaining Compliance
Utilizing online management tools streamlines the administrative side involved in keeping a department compliant while offering customizable options and online courses to reduce the costs associated with continuing education programs. Maintaining departmental compliance creates a safer workplace, and TargetSafety’s online risk management solution can help fire departments do this cost effectively and efficiently.