Drivers & Pumping curriculum "NEW" and "RE-TRAIN"

HELLO FELLOW FIREFIGHTERS,

Does you're department have a set curriculum, for teaching NEW or RE-TRAIN members on the apparatus. Also, do you have a min. number of hours of driving and pumping before getting qualified on the apparatus.

My volunteer department is currently going through a driver/operator and it is at least 40 hours, any less and you lose alot. We feel that if you drive the truck and have responsiblity for it then you can also run the pump.

Originally posted by fireslayer75:
We feel that if you drive the truck and have responsiblity for it then you can also run the pump.

Does this mean that you have drivers that have no pump knowledge or did I just misunderstand your statement?. In my dept and with our training program, you are not and will not be a driver until your are trained and certified to drive the equipment AND operate the pump efficiently.
Not bashing your guidelines in any way, just curious.


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David Brooks,
Lieutenant, NRFR
Newmarket Fire & Rescue
Newmarket, New Hampshire
www.NewmarketNH.com/fire
(All opinions are my own)

We are just starting a formal annual driver/operator training program for for our department. What this does is allow us to document that each individual is capable of operating the apparatus. The program is composed of slow-speed driving (cone course), on the road driving, and practical truck operations (pumping and operating all systems). Lastly we have added a written exam to cover safe driving practices, regulations, and inventory. I think this should add a better level of organization to our trainings.

On the number of hours driving/pumping thing.A minimum amount of hours is a good thing, but keep it low. This will allow the trainees who pick it up quickly to get qualified and get the apparatus out. One thing that I have found out in the past is that in some cases the minimum hour thing has to be waived or reduced.This is for people like truck drivers and members who drive fire engines somewhere else,etc. You can't put them in the same class a the person who never drove a big vehicle in their life. They come to you with some type of driving ability all ready, take advantage of that. Good luck

Hey oz10engine,

This is a very hot issue with some depts, including mine, but from a liability standpoint you MUST ensure that EVERY driver complete the depts drivers training program (if the dept even has an established program, and they should). This is regardless of their alledged prior driving experience or training.

My dept has a very rigid program and ALL driver trainees MUST complete the entire program and related testing procedure prior to being apporved to drive/operate any unit.

After a member/employee is certified, they must then attend and complete a 6 hour annual EVR refresher. This course is held

When something goes wrong, you can bet your a** that the lawyers will see that the drive/operator involved in the incident was waived from your driver/operator training program and they WILL have a field day.

Just my opinion and .02 worth, but this comes from a number of years experience dealing with these types of issues and related claims.

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