1. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Chapter 2 Choosing the Right People

2. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Case Study Read and discuss the case study.

5. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Introduction

7. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Importance of Driver Selection Human aspects Acquired abilities Vehicle characteristics Personnel records

9. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Human Aspects Knowledge base Skills Ability Attitude

10. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Driving Checks State motor vehicle records Accident history Insurance status

11. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Attitude Immature Brazen/Show-Off Laid-back Comic

12. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Physical and Mental Fitness

13. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Personal Appearance and Hygiene

16. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Judgment Excitability Maturity

17. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Traffic Psychology Chivalry Charity Freedom Family values Citizenship and respect for law and order (Continued)

18. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Traffic Psychology Spirituality Morality and rationality Empathy and sympathy National unity and integration Creative driving practices

19. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Physical Fitness Coordination Physical condition

20. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Medical Check Loss of consciousness Cardiovascular disease Neurological/neurovascular disorder Mental illness (Continued)

21. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Driver Readiness Fatigue –Shift work

27. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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)“Sleep Deprivation and Shift Work,” by Syd Canan, MERGINET.News, February 2000

31. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Driver Readiness Fatigue –Shift work Health Personal problems

32. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Driver Readiness Fatigue –Shift work Health Personal problems Habits

34. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Acquired Abilities Driving characteristics Motivation

35. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Traits Routine Comfort Confidence

36. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Acquired Abilities Driving characteristics Motivation Defensive driving goals

37. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Defensive Driving Skills Driving knowledge and performance Operator qualification

38. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Defensive Driving Skills Driving knowledge and performance Operator qualification Licensing Participation in training

40. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Driver Training Courses VFIS course –8 hours classroom –8 hours competency course –8 hours (minimum) street driving

41. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Discuss CDF program.

42. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Vehicle Characteristics Vehicle components and features Driver recertification

43. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Personnel Files Training records

45. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Training Records Classes attended Classes successfully completed Certification Licensing

46. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Personnel Files Training records Physical capability Driving record Suspected Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse

47. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Case Study Review and discuss the case study.

48. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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. Lindsey/Patrick Emergency Vehicle Operations © 2007 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 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.