RVFD Driver Training Policy 2008 PDF

RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 1 of 6 DRIVER TRAINING I. PURPOSE To establish a uniform driver training and qualification process for certifying members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. II. APPLICABILITY...

RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 1 of 6 DRIVER TRAINING I. PURPOSE To establish a uniform driver training and qualification process for certifying members of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. II. APPLICABILITY This policy applies to all RVFD personnel. IV. DEFINITIONS A. Driver -- person authorized to drive and operate apparatus assigned to the RVFD after receiving appropriate certification. B. Operator -- person authorized to operate apparatus or equipment assigned to the RVFD after receiving appropriate certification. C. Driver/Operator Trainee -- an individual who is in training to become a driver or operator on RVFD apparatus. D. Certification -- acknowledgment that individuals have successfully completed the training process and are approved by the Fire Chief to drive/operate apparatus or equipment assigned to the RVFD, as specified. E. Instructor -- a certified driver/operator on a given piece of apparatus authorized by the Fire Chief to instruct driver/operator trainees in accordance with this policy. F. Evaluator -- a driver/operator certified on a given piece of apparatus for a minimum of one (1) year. G. Knowledge of Response Area – a driver’s knowledge of the geographic area, demographic characteristics, transportation infrastructure, and specific local fire/rescue apparatus components to facilitate arrival on the emergency scene in a safe and timely manner. H. Off Road Driving Evolutions – involves driving the brush truck for a minimum of one hour off road in four wheel mode. I. Practical Test – a demonstration of driver operational skills and abilities, which meets the current NFPA 1002 standard. J. Written Test – a written demonstration of relevant knowledge, skills and abilities that meet the current NFPA 1002 standard. RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 2 of 6 V. POLICY The RVFD requires each member to complete a comprehensive driver training program that will insure that all personnel are properly trained to maintain and operate emergency vehicles in a safe and acceptable manner. As part of this requirement, the RVFD requires all volunteer personnel who drive emergency service apparatus to successfully complete a driver training program based on the current NFPA Standard 1002 and meeting the requirements of MCFRS Policy 23-07 AMII “Driver Certification Procedure”, before being certified as operators of emergency vehicles plus additional training as specified in this policy. VI. PROCEDURE A. Prior to obtaining a driver training packet for any piece of apparatus, the driver candidate must present a valid motor vehicle operators license and a recent officer driving record. The Chief/designee must place a copy of the license and record in the individual’s file. B. Driver candidates for ambulances must have completed or be enrolled in the MCFRS or MFRI emergency vehicle operators’ class. Driver candidates for heavy apparatus must have completed or be enrolled in the MCFRS class B apparatus driver training program. C. If the trainee meets all driver/operator training requirements, and is approved as a suitable candidate by the Shift Leader, the trainee will obtain a driver training packet for the given type of apparatus from any command officer. The trainee is responsible for retaining the training packet until he/she has met all requirements for certification. D. If the trainee does not meet driver training requirements or is not approved as a suitable candidate, the Shift Leader will notify the candidate in writing of his/her decision advising the reason for disapproval. E. The trainee will proceed with the appropriate training under direction of approved instructor(s) for the given type of apparatus. The trainee must satisfy all requirements to become a driver/operator within six months of Shift Officer’s approval to begin training. If the candidate does not meet these requirements within the six month period, the Shift Leader will reevaluate the continued training process of the trainee. F. The Shift Leader, after consultation with the Training Officer, may verbally revoke approval for the candidate to continue training on apparatus with due cause. If this approval is revoked, the Training Officer must consult with the Fire Chief for final course of action. The candidate will then be notified in writing. G. When the trainee has completed all requirements to become a driver/ operator, the trainee shall submit the driver training packet to the any command officer. H. The command officer will then sign the package for final approval to become a driver/operator. The shift leader or Training Officer will: 1. Notify the trainee, 2. Post an appropriate notice on all RVFD bulletin boards 3. Place a copy of the notice in the trainee’s personnel file 4. Forward the approved driver/operator training package to the administrative officer for placement in the trainee’s personnel file. 5. Update the RVFD database VII. APPEALS A. The trainee has the right to appeal any decision made during the training period. RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 3 of 6 B. All appeals should be submitted in writing to the Training Officer with proper justification supporting the requested change in the decision. C. If the problem cannot be handled at the Training Officer level, the appeal will be forwarded through the chain-of-command, beginning with the trainee’s immediate supervisor. D. If necessary, the Fire Chief will make the final decision. VIII. SPECIFIC UNIT REQUIREMENTS A. In addition to any requirements set forth in the MCFRA policy, personnel must meet the following minimum requirements to operate RVFD vehicles. B. Utility or Staff Vehicles 1. Must not hold a provisional license 2. Must obtain written permission from the Fire Chief to operate any vehicle 3. Must have completed the MCFRA EVOC class to operate emergency 4. If under 18, may not operate any vehicle in an emergency mode 5. Must be a member for at least three months B. Ambulances/Medic Units 1. Attainment of charge status 2. Complete or be enrolled in the MCFRA EVOC class 3. Successful completion of the applicable written tests 4. Completion of at least 6 hours of practical driving experience 5. Minimum of 5 emergency incident response evaluations, including transport to the hospital with an approved evaluator 6. Be at least 19 years to drive emergency 7. Personnel who are over 18 years of age may operate the ambulance non-emergency for details where no patient transport is required. Prior to operating the unit in this capacity, the member must complete the cone course section of the driver’s packet, obtain written permission from the Fire Chief and provide a driver’s record and a copy of their license. C. Brush Truck 1. Qualified RVFD emergency Ambulance driver 2. Completion of Essentials of Firefighting or equivalent 4. Written evaluation 5. Practical orientation D. Pumpers For emergency drivers: 1. Qualified RVFD emergency ambulance driver 2. 20 years of age 3. Be a member (in MCFRS) for at least 2 years 4. Completion of Essentials of Firefighting or equivalent 5. Completion or equivalency of approved pumps and hydraulics course 6. Successfully complete the MCFRS Class B Apparatus Training/Certification Course RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 4 of 6 7. Complete the driver training packet for engines 8. Minimum of 12 hours of practical driving experience 9. Successful demonstration of skills through an evaluation of 10 incident responses by an approved evaluator of which at least one must include pumping water. Based on individual circumstances, the Fire Chief may waive the emergency incident pumping requirement provided the candidate completes a specified alternative evaluation. For non-emergency drivers: 1. Personnel in this category may drive the engines non-emergency for details or events where no pump operations are required except for static water flow demonstrations 2. 20 years of age 3. Qualified RVFD emergency ambulance driver 4. Successfully complete the MCFRS Class B Apparatus Training/Certification Course 5. Minimum of 3 hours of practical driving experience with an RVFD engine trainer 6. For events where a static water flow demonstration will be made, the driver must undergo pump operations training from an RVFD driver trainer and demonstrate pump operations E. Rescue Squad 1. 20 years of age 2. RVFD (MCFRS) member for at least 2 years 3. Completion of Rescue Technician class or equivalent 4. Qualified Rescue Squad minimum staffing 5. Successful completion the RVFD rescue squad driver training packet 6. Minimum of 12 hours non-emergency driving 7. Minimum of 10 incident responses with an approved evaluator F. Truck/Aerial A. Completion of Essentials of Firefighting or equivalent B. Completion of Truck Company Operations course or accepted equivalency C. Successfully complete the MCFRS Class B Apparatus Training/Certification Course D. Successful completion RVFD aerial apparatus driver training packet E. Minimum of 12 hours of non-emergency driving F. Minimum of 10 incident responses with an approved evaluator G. Hose Tender 1. The hose tender is designated a utility vehicle. 2. All personnel who have successfully completed or received equivalency for the EVOC may drive this vehicle 3. Any potential emergency drivers of the hose tender must document a minimum of one hour of non-emergency driving on that unit when fully loaded with hose. 4. Drivers of the hose tender may not exceed the posted speed limit when driving this unit either emergency or non-emergency. H. Canteen RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 5 of 6 1. 18 years of age 2. Complete 4 hours of practical driver training with an approved canteen trainer For any apparatus not listed in this policy, guidelines specified in the MCFRS policy shall apply. IX. TRAINING EXCEPTIONS A. Personnel transferring to the RVFD who are qualified operators in their previous department must meet the following requirements. 1. Complete 6 months with the RVFD. 2. The Training Officer shall solicit a letter of recommendation from the previous department outlining the departmental driving history (i.e., type of apparatus, extent of training and experience, etc.). This letter should be sent with the driver training application. 3. The Training Officer shall recommend an appropriate training and certification program to the Fire Chief. X. RESPONSIBILITIES A. Training Division 1. Develops and maintains training programs and testing and evaluation procedures for all apparatus. 2. Assists officers and designated instructors to ensure a uniform and comprehensive training program. 3. Maintains all necessary records. 4. Provides all necessary paperwork B. Fire Chief or designee 1. Reviews all trainee evaluations and makes final approval or disapproval on driving status as necessary. 2. Makes final decision on any appeals filed during training process, when applicable. 3. Publishes a list of approved driver/operator instructions for each type of apparatus, after consultation with the Training Division. E. Approved Evaluator 1. Properly instructs and guides the trainee through all phases of the training procedure. 2. Must be an emergency driver for at least one year on that individual piece of apparatus to be an evaluator for emergency calls. E. Driver Trainee Follows procedures set forth by this policy. RVFD Policy #5116 January 5, 2008 (revised) Page 6 of 6 Eric N. Bernard, President Russell W. Dawson, Fire Chief