A-DRV(T) Driver Training

Purpose and Responsibility

• The purpose of this guideline is to provide a framework for Driver Training and Driver Assessments for all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel.
• All TFS personnel are responsible for adhering to this guideline.
• The TFS Driver Training Section is responsible for maintaining driver training records.
• Firefighters are responsible for being attentive to the Driver Trainer/Company Officer's instructions during driver training and driving safely.
• Company Officers are responsible for driver training and monitoring of all firefighters driving under their supervision.
• District Chiefs are responsible for ensuring all personnel adhere to this guideline.

Guidelines

• All TFS personnel must have a valid license of sufficient class and endorsement while driving TFS vehicles during driver training.
• Driver training and monitoring of firefighters is performed by Company Officers/Acting Company Officers at their respective fire stations.
• During in-service driver training, the Company Officer/Acting Company Officer occupies the Captain's seat to offer advice and monitor the driving.
• When driver training with a Probationary Firefighter or in-service crews, the apparatus is reported as "Driver Training" to the TFS Communications Centre.
• Company Officers/Acting Company Officers must demonstrate competence in:
  • Circle Check procedures
  • Hand signals for backing vehicles
  • Backing into a Station Procedures
  • Daily Air Brake System Inspections
  • Defensive driving techniques
• Company Officers/Acting Company Officers may request a Driver Training ATI or Training Officer (Signing Authority) to conduct a driver assessment of firefighters.

Driver Assessments

• Driver assessments are conducted by a Driver ATI or Training Officer (Signing Authority) when:
  • A firefighter is required to have a driver assessment due to a collision/incident involving a TFS vehicle
  • At the request of a Company Officer/Acting Company Officer
• The TFS vehicle remains "In-Service" during the assessment.
• The vehicle's status is reported to TFS Communications as "Driver Training" during the assessment.
• The TFS vehicle is not taken "Out of Service" to conduct driver training or assessments.
• The Driver ATI/Training Officer (Signing Authority) occupies the front right passenger position (Captain's seat) during the assessment.
• If the TFS vehicle is dispatched during the driver assessment, the vehicle safely pulls to the side of the road, and the crew members move to take their assigned seating location.

Record Keeping

• Each Company Officer/Acting Company Officer ensures a minimum of 30 hours of driver training is conducted for each assigned Probationary Firefighter.
• Driver training records are maintained in the TFS Probationary Operations Firefighter Assessment Period booklet.
• The Company Officer/Acting Company Officer maintains the Driver Training Log for the assigned Probationary Firefighter.
• All file records are stored and maintained at a location determined by the Recognized Authority and the Fire Chief.