Sorry you can't drive your fire truck back to the firehouse.

NYS has apparently came up with a new DMV law about 4 years ago and forgot to tell anybody.. So now you can't drive your fire truck back from a fire call or go to a parade unless you have a CDL.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=771996&c...

Our station may have to go "out of service" until we can match this requirement although NYS Association of Fire Chiefs think they have control over all of the volunteer stations. We do not have the funds or the manpower to meet this requirement. Our Governor is too busy with cuts to the budget to tackle this problem at this time.

So what do you think.

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Permalink Reply by Rom919 on February 23, 2009 at 10:28am

Still no one has answered on how adding more requirements as this one has, increased their membership at their local VFD. I will state again... it is great to have so many educated firefighters on scene, but at 3 A.M., I'll take manpower anyday.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on February 23, 2009 at 5:34pm

Your right fetc, when something happens you are going to need proven training. Not only that but would you want an untrained driver driving a commercial vehicle on the same road as your wife and kids?

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Permalink Reply by Oldman on February 23, 2009 at 5:43pm

My department doesn't pay for this. If you want to drive the apparatus, study and take the exams, and pay the fee. It (being able to drive apparatus) is also required in order to be an officer. It does allow the use of the apparatus for the driving test.

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Permalink Reply by jesse wright on February 23, 2009 at 5:45pm

i could be wrong but i believe in MD the rule is like alot of other states. as long as the operator of the emergency vehicle is certified EVO or EVOC with the state of maryland, they can take the vehicle anywhere. What a bum rule!!!
lets all join hands and make life for the first responders difficult. !!!!

just my $.02

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Permalink Reply by Jeffrey Sparks on March 4, 2009 at 12:58pm

I have heard this also but was told that it really was mis information and gee I was looking to get a CDL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Rom919 on March 6, 2009 at 8:09am

It appears that our Legislators have heard our scream...

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20090305/NEWS03/303059951

Not one of you answered my question...

How has the addition of new requirements added to your rolls of membership at your fire station.. It is easy to get caught up in the fury of this needs to be done to make us better.... but maybe we should look around and see how good we are already before chasing good people out...

As I said before..... I don't mind having educated firefighters around me... but at 3 A. M., I would rather have the manpower...

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Permalink Reply by Trainer on March 6, 2009 at 8:32am

I’ve been following this with some interest as I have a CDL, no big deal other than it cost me $75 to renew, motorcycle endorsement also. State laws may vary but for the most part we are CDL exempt, however you need a class B non-CDL, now with that said if you have an EOVC in place and is taught by a certified instructor this will also work. However if you should get in an accident and not have the state required license for that vehicle, you insurance may reject the clam. How’s that for being clear. :)
Now 14541 as for your question, I would say no; it’s not about what is required but more of declining numbers in rural America and apathy towards public service.

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Tischler on March 6, 2009 at 9:04am

That's the same way here in Texas. You must have at least a class B CDL to leagly operate a truck over so many pounds (GVWR). You can drive it in an emergency situation like to a call, but you can't drive it back when in non-emergency mode.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Sammons on March 6, 2009 at 11:03am

I would be in favor of making a mandatory age of say 21 or even 25 but I am against making a vol get a CDL. I think most small dept's would fold and would reduce good fire protection. I believe it would then take longer and be more expensive for fire protection. If your an active fireman you all ready realize the mandates and regulations put on volunteers. We need to put a Stop to all this crap.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on March 6, 2009 at 7:34pm

Crap? How is it crap to have some kind of state mandated drivers training? As many firefighters and civilians are injured or killed in traffic accidents, we need to protect ourselves from accidents and lawyers. The bottom line is that in house drivers training is not sufficient.

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Permalink Reply by Asst Chief Tim Cook on March 6, 2009 at 7:39pm

This actually is FEDERAL language which was incorporated in the last round of DOT regs along with the altered hours of operation. It's been around for quite a while and is largely ignored by MOST State DOT's.If enough people petition the DOT it may be amended. Until then,if you adhere to the lettere of law,then NO you can't LEGALLY return you apparatus or use it non emergency without the proper license endorsements.This,of course'may vary State to State.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on March 6, 2009 at 8:41pm

If your firefighters are active and want to support the department why cant they pay the bill for their CDL"s. Yeah it's a little money but it will only help them out. As for the manpower issue it has been stated and proven you can do more with five well trained firefighters than you can with ten inexperienced ones. Now if you can answer my question of why over the road truckers and other commercial vehicle drivers that drive the trucks everyday are required to posses a license and health cards to make sure they physically capable of driving a vehicle (most firetrucks are government vehicles and most states have a health card exemption for government vehicles but can all your drivers obtain a health card?). But a firefighter that drives a small car or pickup truck is "exempt" from any state mandated training.