Oftentimes, emergency services personnel receive extensive training when they attend academy. With the initial phases of training, the subject matter is mostly academic in focus. For example, law enforcement personnel cover topics such as drug recognition, state law, hazardous materials recognition, and many more thorough hours of classroom instruction. The remainder of training comes from hands-on training.

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.

In the world of Emergency Services, certification is imperative. Included in the definition of Emergency Services personnel are police, fire, and EMS. In most states these personnel are required to maintain certification through a points system. Personnel earn points through course completion; annual certification in different subject matter and annual re-certifications.

Besides the points earned for the required academic areas, more points are awarded for similar training courses. These "extra" subject areas are sometimes considered acceptable substitutions for given 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 instances and examples of computer training that emergency services personnel complete. One of the many important classes, for example, includes hazardous mature recognition courses. This type of course material is beneficial for two reasons. First of all, materials can easily be covered during a single shift, and results are instantaneous. Because this computer-training course can be completed during a single shift, it's cost effective for small departments and saves on such things as travel expenses, vehicle wear and tear, and time lost to training.

For policemen desiring to obtain training on subject matter that would normally require their attendance at a far off training conference, this is a boon. Computer training courses covering topics such as drug recognition are relatively easy to find. These courses are generally recognized by the respective law enforcement training division of the given state.

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.

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Ian Traynor has been involved with computers since the 1980s. Since then, he has continually been involved in computer training, both receiving and delivering training. Check out his big collection of great articles related to computer training at Computer Training Secrets: