Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason Tankred on March 19, 2009 at 11:11pm

Ya can we get together next week and do some of it and 2 i'm thinking you may be pushing it with that hour drivin test cause it already have to have the time behind the wheel and the classes. Your making it where I see like 3 people that would be willing to do all of this. Ya people may say they'll do it but they wont. Well it just my opinion and you asked. I'll do it i'll be the guinea pig.

Permalink Reply by Chuck LaBruno on March 29, 2009 at 3:05am

I have to agree with Tanker. I think it is excessive to take 30 hours of drive time to be certified in every piece of apparatus. I'm not sure what the whole driving test consist of, but I think we should have more of a truck rodeo as a test. A rodeo tests the drivers ability to maneuver a piece of apparatus not just drive it. If you are interested I can get an outline of the course that I drove through (not easy, but doable). I do not see the need for a drive time on the utility. Anyone that has a license should be able to drive a pickup. I think drive time should be broken up into 2 groups. The brush and either the tanker, rescue, or engine (if you can drive one you should be able to drive all 3). This will cut down time to 10 hours of drive time. I don't think 5 hours for the brush is needed either, but I think 5 hours behind the wheel of one of the bigger pieces of apparatus is a must. These times will not only be exhausting for the possible driver, but it will be a major work load on the instructors and the apparatus.

I am all for the classes as long as we can make an attempt to make arrangements to offer them in house (providing we can get the turn out).

Permalink Reply by Jason Tankred on March 29, 2009 at 10:25pm

i agree and disagree, the brush is stick and the tanker drives different then the engine i think a obstacle course is needed to prove you can drive it. also i agree with the mandatory courses. also drive time with brush, tanker and engine is needed or signed off by chief if you already have proven you can drive and drive safely.

Permalink Reply by Chief 29 on March 30, 2009 at 9:23am

What hour driving test? I'm not following you on this one.
Do we let people perform CPR without certification? To get the cert you take a brief test don't you?
But I guess we would rather have some untrained cowboy drive a three hundred thousand dollar plus piece of apparatus with other firefighters and the general public at risk over a brief obstacle course and or maybe just driving through town with thew Chief.

Permalink Reply by Chief 29 on March 30, 2009 at 10:00am

30 hours is low compared to some companies out there. There are for sure companies that require at least 20 hours per rig. I set the time low as to promote the ability to get approved on all pieces in a short period of time. I kind of agree with your comment on the utility but remember it is still an emergency vehicle. There needs to be some time behind the wheel. Also there are people out there that have drivers licenses and they shouldn't even be allowed to ride a bike on the street let alone a truck with lights and sirens. Non emergency is one thing but turn on the lights and siren and for some you have a completely different driver no matter how much time they have behind the wheel. Keep in mind some of the requirements were put in to cover our asses in the event of an accident. Telling a lawyer that you have the qualifications to drive because you have a valid drivers liscence won't cut it in the court of law especially if god forbid someone gets injured in the accident.
Every truck is diferant whether it is handling, positioning, acceleration, braking,etc. hence the requirement per vehicle and 1 hour is not enough time for the candidate nor the evaluator to make any type of judgments on whether or not you have spent enough time behind the wheel.
What is the amount of time required for a driver with a permit to have behind the wheel before they are allowed to take the test for their licence? I think my times are pretty lenient.
At Least you guys are getting to preview these regs and even have a say on them. When it comes to these types of things at most companies the chief draws them up an that is it end of story.