TargetSafety, a provider of online risk management solutions for public entities, and the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs are making $1.5 million in training grants available for volunteer and combination fire departments in the United States.

The grants will provide these departments with six months of free access to TargetSafety’s PreventionLink platform. This access includes 15 hours of online firefighter training, covering such topics as NFPA-approved fire curriculum and EMS continuing education as well as OSHA, human resources and general safety courses. It also includes web-based tools that enable a fire chief or training officer to assign, track and record all training as well as manage and document required tasks, such as vehicle and equipment inspections and departmental policy and procedure review.

Volunteer and combination fire departments interested in applying for the grant can go to www.targetsafety.com/grant. Online applications must be submitted by Nov. 30. TargetSafety and VCOS will review all applications and notify grant winners by Dec. 31. The program runs through June 30, 2009.