Primedia Workplace Learning, a division of Primedia Inc. and the parent company of Fire & Emergency Training Network, is preparing to launch Homeland One, a comprehensive national communications and training network for first responders.

Composed of FETN, Law Enforcement Training Network, Healthcare and Science Technology Network, and Private Security Training Network, the goal of the new program is to prepare first responders for the mission of homeland security based on Office of Domestic Preparedness guidelines and the standardized emergency management system.

“We've really taken all of those offerings and rolled them up so we can provide a comprehensive training and communications solution for a state or federal agency,” said Bryan Mossey, vice president of Homeland One.

Homeland One will deliver secure emergency communication capabilities; instant on-demand access to best practices, education, news, public safety updates and information; and state-of-the-art satellite and Internet courseware and customized training modules on CD-ROM.

Mossey said current subscribers to FETN, LETN, PSTN and HSTN won't notice any disruption in service, only that they now will receive additional content based on Office of Domestic Preparedness guidelines and more feature-rich content.

“Fire chiefs should know that FETN has served them in the past and is going to continue to serve them, but it's going to do so as Homeland One,” Mossey said. “They're going to have access to all of the training that they've always had access to, but we're doing a tremendous job of providing new training and new content for our current subscribers.

“We're not just offering a solution for firefighters or for police officers or for private security or even emt people anymore,” he said. “We're rolling it up and taking a look at solutions on a larger scale.

“I think the real value proposition to [first responders] is that it's training they couldn't get anywhere else. We've brought in subject-matter experts in these areas that they would not have access to and couldn't afford to develop training on their own,” he said.

Mossey said the program will be introducing a new core curriculum of 58 courses in a staggered release, with all courses available by Sept. 30. For more information go to www.homelandone.com.

Primedia Business Magazines & Media, a division of Primedia Inc., is the parent publisher of Fire Chief.