[EAS] Honolulu Police to Stop Using Live Computers During Emergency Alert Training

[Ed Czarnecki]

Joining Bill on the soap box (hope it can bear the weight...).  I was reminded by an emergency manager a while back - when offering them free systems training - there is no such thing as free training.

Another factor is how training is viewed within the organization.  Training and retraining is embedded as part of the fire department discipline - it is an integral part of their routine.  I note that local EMs that come up through the fire departments tend to have a much more focused attitude towards training on procedures and equipment/software.

Retraining in other public safety disciplines can often be ... well ... less integrated.  It can be seen as more "remedial" or even "disciplinary" than a standard part of the routine.  Even with equipment carried on a daily basis, the "training" and annual qualification and can be startlingly minimal.

-----Original Message-----
From: EAS <eas-bounces at radiolists.net> On Behalf Of Bill Ruck

Ahem.  Bill is getting up on his soap box.

Back in the days of my US Naval Service training was constant.  The goal was that when bad things happen nobody has to get a book to learn what to do and we all did what we were supposed to do instantly.

The problem with Public Safety is that training is expensive.  People have to be taken away from their jobs; overtime is generally necessary; and staff has to develop the training.  So it never gets done.