In their professional schooling, emergency services personnel receive extensive training. In the initial phases of training, the focus is mainly academic in regard to subject matter. For example, law enforcement personnel go over topics such as drug recognition, hazardous materials recognition, state laws, and many more hours of classroom instruction. The rest of the training occurs in hands-on situations.



For some of the hands-on training, computers are central. For example, law enforcement students encounter "shoot or don't shoot" scenarios. These situations are played out similar to video games, in which the officer stands on a padded surface that can detect every movement, such as kneeling, ducking, or shifting side to side. While the officer stands on the surface, he or she has a weapon "holstered" and then is provided a scenario in which he or she must decide whether or not he or she should shoot a subject. While the training happens, the officer's every action or lack thereof is monitored, including verbal commands that are given to the "subject." This computer training is invaluable and has been over the years because it provides such significant evaluation of prospective law enforcement officials.

Within the world of emergency services, certification is mandatory. Emergency services personnel include fire, police and EMS officials. In most states, these people are required to maintain certification through a points system. Emergency services personnel must earn points through course completion. There is also annual certification in different subject matter and annual recertification for those courses already taken.

In addition to the points earned for required academic subjects, there are points awarded for similar training courses. These 'extra' subject matter are often considered an acceptable substitution for required subjects.

In the past 15 years, budget constraints and other factors have meant that subject matter is being reorganized in order to accommodate computer training. This has been cost effective for both state and local agencies. Because budgets are not stretched as then, funds can be made available for special projects and other needs.

There are many ways in which computer training is received by emergency services personnel. Among the many important classes, for example, are hazardous material recognition classes. These courses are beneficial to complete for two reasons. First of all, the material in question can be covered easily during a shift, and instant results are given. Because a computer-training course can be completed during a shift, it's cost effective for small departments and saves on such things as wear and tear on vehicles, travel expenses, and time lost to training.

For those who wish to obtain training on a subject that would normally require on-site attendance at a training conference, this is of significant benefit. Computer training courses such as those that cover drug recognition are quite easy to find and are generally recognized as valid by the respective law enforcement trading divisions in various states.

If policemen are discouraged from taking these courses during on duty hours, it is still possible that they can complete these courses while off duty. Again, this is of benefit not just to the officers, but to the department as well.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of computer training for Emergency Services personnel is the one aspect of their lives that become the most neglected family time.