Emergency Vehicle Operations Unit IV Driver Selection 1

Emergency Vehicle Operations Unit IV Objectives  The EVO will understand that the personnel selection procedures is the first steps in developing an effective emergency vehicle operator/driver program.  The EVO will be able to recognize that human aspects of driver selection are an important component of the process  The EVO will be able to recognize that a number of abilities necessary for driving must be acquired. 2

Every Crash has Operator Influence 3

Apparatus Driver/Operator Selection Introduction  Not all people have the necessary skill and abilities  Responsibility of Command Structure to assure proper selection of EVO’s  Ultimately falls back onto governing board  Affects operating budget, insurance costs and public relations 4

HUMAN ASPECTS : The Ingredients of Prospective Driver/Operator Candidates Constituent Parts:  Attitude  Knowledge  Mental Fitness  Judgment 5

What Makes a Good Driver?  Physical Fitness  Age  Habits  Driving Characteristics  Diamonds vs. Stones  Common Sense  Are they trainable? 6

Are we Managing What we Already Have? 7

Vehicle Characteristics -The dynamic partnership with the EVO consists with:  Type of Vehicle- size matters  Components  Operating outside of engineered ranges can spell disaster  Requires competency based training 8

Personnel File  Contains the qualifications of each person within the department  Serves as a means to select driver/operators  Includes complete information on each person  Includes accident and near miss reports  May stand as a legal document  Lack of such documentation can be detrimental 9

Administrative Process Driver/Operator Candidate Questions:  Physically capable of doing the job?  What type of attitude towards organization?  What is his/hers past driving record?  Training record?  Treatment for drug or alcohol abuse? 10

Administrative Process Procedure for selection should include:  Interview  Written test covering organization guidelines for driving, knowledge of response area, local and state laws and general vehicle knowledge  Completion of an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course  Driving test 11

Health and Safety Committee Oversee driver selection Coordinate training program Review drivers performance Conduct a review of all accidents and reported near misses by any driver Committee should be in place before an incident happens 12

How do you pick your drivers? 13

Unit IV Review  The EVO will understand that the personnel selection procedures is the first steps in developing an effective emergency vehicle operator/driver program.  The EVO will be able to recognize that human aspects of driver selection are an important component of the process  The EVO will be able to recognize that a number of abilities necessary for driving must be acquired. 14