firetraining – EVALS.NET

EVALS at the unveiling of the GoPro Developer Program

Last week we were lucky enough to be a part of the unveiling of the GoPro Developer Program. For the last year, a handful of developers like BMW, Fisher-Price, Periscope, and EVALS, have been creating solutions that integrate with GoPro cameras. It is a brilliant move by GoPro to solidify their control over the wearable camera market, and also widen their user base from extreme sports enthusiasts.

At EVALS, we are especially excited about this integration because it provides an exciting new way to train students, and develop proper techniques for occupational skills.

Now, with GoPro, we can show the learner, from multiple perspectives, how they can improve their performance. It is a huge step forward in teaching specialized and complex, critical psychomotor skills. Both the first-person perspective, and the wide angle of the GoPro camera, give students the ultimate view of what success looks like from the professional example, and also gives them crucial feedback on their own performance, which is necessary to improve their skill execution.

EVALS’ Digital Evaluations that connect to a GoPro, allow educators and evaluators to control GoPro cameras from within the EVALS APP, and to upload these videos directly into the cloud-based, Digital Evaluation for self-reflection and/or formative evaluation of the learner.

“The GoPro Developer Program was designed to enable companies to create new and important ways for our collective customers to use a GoPro. We are excited to see GoPro used to help train the public service professionals that make our communities safer.”

– Adam Silver, director of strategic product partnerships at GoPro

EVALS at Urban Shield 2015

The annual Urban Shield Training Exercise kicked off in the Bay Area earlier this September with a new player, EVALS.

This important exercise tests SWAT, Fire, EOD, and EMS/Medical personnel during a grueling, 48-hours. The “Fire Branch”also referred to as “Red Command,” was ultimately responsible for all of the scenarios testing Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Teams, US&R Canine Teams, Hazardous Materials Teams, and Maritime Fire/Rescue/EMS Boats and Crews. It also put to task the EVALS training program.

EVALS in use at USAR, and HAZMAT scenarios

“For Urban Shield 2015, my team and I were tasked with evaluating more than 30 teams across 18 different locations spread across the Bay Area. We needed data collected in real-time, in a simple to use, mobile application. We also needed a way to present the results quickly to participating agencies so they could use the information for their own training needs. EVALS stepped up and offered a web-based solution that just worked. Not only could evaluators enter their scores and notes in real-time from iPads in the field, they could immediately upload videos as well. We saved 6 hours worth of administration time from the last system we used for the Urban Shield event.

The most beneficial part of the system was the streamlined user creation, evaluation creation, and feedback to trainees. The ability for the system to have all of this prepackaged and ready to distribute once entered was tremendous.”

An added bonus: “After the event, EVALS packaged up the feedback and videos into an easy to access web-based portal where teams could see their scores, videos, and feedback as soon as it was finalized. EVALS’ team gave us incredible support and made sure that our evaluations went smoothly. Their support team handled every issue we had quickly and were very friendly. I would recommend considering EVALS’ product to any department looking for a solution for training and evaluating their staff.”

– Stephen Albonico (Public Safety Systems Administrator)

East Bay Regional Park District

We had a great time, and it was a personal honor to be involved in an event which bears the slogan, “Honor the Past, Train for the Future.”

This was the first year since I’ve been on the job as a firefighter that I missed the 9/11 Stair Climb in Sacramento, where 343 firefighters carry the names of our Brothers lost on that fateful day, up 110 floors to a memorial on the roof of the Renaissance Tower. (RFB). Upon realizing that the events conflicted, I was heartbroken that I would be unable to honor the fallen this year. Just a few short hours into the Urban Shield Event however, my dismay, turned into pride as we watched these exceptional firefighters, police officers, and EMS professionals truly prepare themselves, and each other, to protect our nation’s citizens during her next crisis. It was sincerely an honor to be involved with Urban Shield, we are already looking forward to next year!

Maritime scenarios using EVALS. Even the iPads get their own flotation devices!

EVALS in CANADA

EVALS just returned from a great trip in beautiful, British Columbia. Our purpose was to assist Jeff Seaton, Josh Calista and the Nobody Gets Left Behind Training Group (NGLB) as they delivered a course on Commercial Fireground Operations to the British Columbia Fire Training Officers Association‘s 2015 Conference. NGLB’s mission is to prevent FF LODD’S by challenging the Fire Service through evidence-based realistic, scenario and interactive-based training programs.

The EVALS program allowed participants of the hands-on training to see documents and example videos of course material the week prior, provided lines of communication between the NGLB team and participants, allowed for post course reflection with video of the participants conducting the skills, and gave the opportunity for the participants to share their training with members of their organization.

I was honored to work with the NGLB team, an eager participant class, and a very accommodating host organization, the Township of Langley Fire Department.