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 Chad Furr on April 29, 2009 at 9:10pm

OK then after the emergency is resolved park the truck sideways in the middle of a busy street and walk or call a cab. That should get the attention of someone.

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Permalink Reply by Captain Kevin C. Ross on April 29, 2009 at 9:16pm

I have some questions of my own, everyone is working on correcting the problem but what about in the mean time?
1.) What if a non CDL driver is returning to the station has an accident and especially if there are injuries or deaths and the Lawyers get a hold of this and bring it out in court where does it leave us legally?
2.) What about when you are dispatched to a scene NON-EMERGENCY, can a non CDL drive the apparatus legally?
As far as parades go I don't think anyone should be sendinng apparatus unless there is a CDL driver operating it until this gets resolved.
Like I said it is nice everyone is working on it, and everyone can tell you not to worry it will be ok if non CDL drivers operate the apparatus, but becareful how many chances you take because I bet a good lawyer would be all over this if something happens.
I am not saying non CDL's should not drive to and from the scene until its resolved whether dispatched as an emergency or not, just limit their driving to calls & training for awhile is probably best, and try to keep training as close to the station as possible.
Everyone have a great night stay safe!!! Captain Kevin C. Ross Pembroke NY Fire Department

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Permalink Reply by Jason F. Anderson on April 29, 2009 at 9:24pm

Texas currently requires a Class B EXEMPT license to operate an apparatus under these circumstances. The way it is written right now, anyone can drive TO the scene, but a license holder must drive it back. It is not anticipated to make a difference for right now until someone has a mishap while operating. Then, the enforcement may get quite a bit stiffer.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on April 29, 2009 at 10:00pm

Ok, I am in the minority here but I just want someone to answer my question. How come I drive a commercial vehicle everyday under normal conditions and I am required to have a CDL BUT Bob the vollie firefighter can jump out of his Nissan and drive a large firetruck under stress and adrenaline running lights and siren, WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THAT?

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Permalink Reply by Dale Barker on April 29, 2009 at 10:35pm

This is being taken care of. I was sent the information where some Legislators near the NYC are pushing to amend this piece. So how are things in Oxbow?

I am a CDL Operator also and appreciate the thought that went into this. Especially from the Volunteer side when a 21 year old Hot Shot can hop out of his car and then in behind the wheel of a 2000 gallon tanker. These things don't stop on a dime.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Manning on April 30, 2009 at 10:15am

this was called "Grandfathering", and they only allowed it for a very short time afer changing the laws.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on April 30, 2009 at 10:26am

Ok, that makes sense every state did that for everyone that could prove they drove a commercial vehicle for a certain amount of time before the law change.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Manning on April 30, 2009 at 10:30am

the reasons for this, I was told, was that a driver of a commercial rig must, ONCE, go through the process of being tested on the equipment he was going to drive, and thenafter simply pay the addt'l charges above his driver's liscense to retain his CDL. So, in a career of 35 - 40 years, he has been tested ONCE on his skill and knowledge of the vehicle. (If I'm wrong about this, please let me know. I've never taken a CDL. I drove 10 years commercially in a non-CDL [under 26,000])
In the fire service, it is required that we be tested annually upon our skills as an operator.

To answer Lt. harmon's Q: The department has the responsibility to oversee their driver's actions. As a commercial driver, the state has the responsibility to oversee yours. The state is simply giving the department the job of oversight by allowing the exemption for firefighters.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on April 30, 2009 at 10:36am

But where is the common sense in that, I under stand what the law is. What I don't understand is who thought it was a good idea and why.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on April 30, 2009 at 4:51pm

As far as too and from a call, non CDl drivers are ok to drive since it is allowed in a emergency, and the emergency is not over till the truck is back at the station. Parades and driver training is a diffrent story. You have to have a CDl to drive in any situation other than a emergency. STUPID. Can't train you to drive but during a emergency, lights and sirens, adrenaline pumping, go ahead. Bunch of bull. They are working on getting the law to have a exemption for fire depts but as of today it is still in the works. The Federal Gov't has this exemption but good old NY never adopted it.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on April 30, 2009 at 4:54pm

If a good driver training program is inacted this shouldn't be a issue. I have a CDL and can agree with you in some instances, but the dept should not be allowing personel to drive if they are not ready, or revoke privelages if they drive recklessly

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Privette on April 30, 2009 at 5:33pm

In North Carolina, it has been told to me that all volunteer departments are exempt from CDL's. the paid departments only require them just to state that you are capable of driving the truck.