1. Chapter 2 Choosing the Right People

2. Objectives
Recognize that selecting the right personnel is the first step in developing an effective emergency vehicle driver program.
Define the human aspects of selecting the emergency vehicle.
Identify the important components in the driver selection process.
List the abilities necessary for driving emergency vehicles that must be acquired.

3. Objectives
Relate the importance of maintaining emergency vehicle driving proficiency through an ongoing recertification program.
Recognize the importance of maintaining accurate and complete personnel records for the protection of both the emergency service organization and the individual driver.

4. Case Study
Read and discuss the case study.

5. Questions How will she handle the media calls?
What does this mean for the organization?
What should be done with the driver accused of the charges?
Could this have been prevented before it ever happened?

6. Introduction

7. Points to Ponder
What does it take to become a good emergency vehicle driver?
If you wanted to become a star football player or world class pianist, how much training and practice time would you plan on?

8. Importance of Driver Selection
Human aspects
Acquired abilities
Vehicle characteristics
Personnel records

9. Human Aspects
Knowledge base
Skills
Ability
Attitude

10. Driving Checks State motor vehicle records Accident history
Insurance status

11. Attitude
Immature
Brazen/Show-Off
Laid-back
Comic

12. Physical and Mental Fitness

13. Points to Ponder The state of mind about driving:
Does the individual understand and respect the responsibility of driving an emergency vehicle under all conditions?
If he/she does, is this translated into driving characteristics, which reflect attentiveness and caution when driving the vehicle?

14. Points to Ponder Physical fitness policy
Are annual physicals required?
How do drivers report to their supervisor when they are not in a condition to drive?

15. Personal Appearance and Hygiene

16. Judgment
Excitability
Maturity

17. Traffic Psychology Chivalry Charity Freedom Family values
Citizenship and respect for law and order
(Continued)

18. Traffic Psychology Spirituality Morality and rationality
Empathy and sympathy
National unity and integration
Creative driving practices

19. Physical Fitness
Coordination
Physical condition

20. Medical Check Loss of consciousness Cardiovascular disease
Neurological/neurovascular disorder
Mental illness
(Continued)

21. Medical Check Substance abuse/dependency Insulin-dependent diabetes
Rheumatic, arthritic, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease which interferes with the ability to control and operate a motor vehicle

22. Guidelines to Assist in Determining Physical Fitness
You have trouble looking over your shoulder to change lanes or looking left and right to check traffic at intersections.
You have trouble moving your foot from the gas to the brake pedal or turning the steering wheel.
You have fallen down—not counting a trip or stumble—once or more in the previous year.
(Continued)

23. Guidelines to Assist in Determining Physical Fitness
You walk less than one block per day.
You can’t raise your arms above your shoulders.
You feel pain in your knees, legs, or ankles when going up or down a flight of ten stairs.

24. Things To Do
With your doctor’s approval, do some stretching exercises and start a walking program.
Get examined by a doctor if you have pain or swelling in your feet.

25. Things To Do
Eliminate your driver’s side blind spot by re-aiming your side mirror.
Keep alert to sounds outside your vehicle.
Sit at least ten inches from the steering wheel to reduce the chances of an injury from the air bag.
Remember to always wear your seat belt.

26. Driver Readiness
Fatigue
Shift work

27. Maximize the Chances of Achieving Quality Sleep
Minimize light or wear a sleep mask.
Use “white noise,” such as a fan, to block out disruptive noises, turn off the phone, and turn the answering machine volume all the way down.
Lower room temperature.
Create an association with sleep by maintaining bedtime routines and using the bedroom for sleep only.
(Continued)

28. Maximize the Chances of Achieving Quality Sleep
Post a “day sleeper” sign on the door.
Exercise moderately every day (but not within three hours of sleep).
Do not drink caffeine within five hours of bedtime.
Get the support of family and friends.

29. Points to Ponder
What about the reality of a volunteer who is called out after a long day at the paying job?
Or the dreadful “mandatory overtime” so common in many emergency agencies?
Or 24- and 48-hour shifts in communities where you can’t bank on sleeping anymore because of rising call volume?

30. Some Ideas Make getting enough rest a priority.
Do whatever it takes to wring a few more hours out of each day for sleeping.
Say “no” to overtime.
Don’t drink caffeine as a habit.
Work with the agency to eliminate destructive practices, such as mandatory overtime and lousy shift structures.
(“Sleep Deprivation and Shift Work,” by Syd Canan, MERGINET.News, February 2000)

31. Driver Readiness
Fatigue
Shift work
Health
Personal problems

32. Age
Some thoughts:
At age 18 an individual usually has only a maximum of two years of driving experience.
At age 65 or older an individual may have begun to lose certain aspects of his/her vision or hearing.
At age 65 or older an individual may have increasing physical limitations.

33. Driver Readiness
Fatigue
Shift work
Health
Personal problems
Habits

34. Acquired Abilities
Driving characteristics
Motivation

35. Traits
Routine
Comfort
Confidence

36. Acquired Abilities Driving characteristics Motivation
Defensive driving goals

37. Defensive Driving Skills
Driving knowledge and performance
Operator qualification

38. Operator Qualification
Keep his/her license up-to-date and valid.
Report any violation he/she receives when driving his/her personal vehicle.
Remain physically and mentally fit.
Participate in training when available.

39. Defensive Driving Skills
Driving knowledge and performance
Operator qualification
Licensing
Participation in training

40. Driver Training Courses
VFIS course
8 hours classroom
8 hours competency course
8 hours (minimum) street driving

41. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Discuss CDF program.

42. Vehicle Characteristics
Vehicle components and features
Driver recertification

43. Development of a Recertification Program
Actual emergency vehicle driving experience
Observed proficiency and supervisory reports compared to performance in the field
Length of time since last recertification
Introduction of new emergency vehicles
Introduction of new technology on existing emergency vehicles

44. Personnel Files
Training records

45. Training Records Classes attended Classes successfully completed
Certification
Licensing

46. Personnel Files Training records Physical capability Driving record
Suspected Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse

47. Case Study
Review and discuss the case study.

48. Summary Drivers selected based on qualifications.
A driving record check and license check is a precondition to hiring.
A medical evaluation should be required.
The driver should pass an emergency vehicle driver course.

49. Summary
The driver is expected to be mentally and physically fit for every response.
Drivers should be aware of their personal appearance and hygiene.
The training should be presented in the classroom, behind the wheel, and on the job.