E.V.O.C in PA???

[qrs_810]

Is it a STATE Requirement for each person driving an emergency vehicle to have EVOC or is it just a company by company thing?

[pasobuff]

To my knowledge in NY it is NOT a requirement - don't even need a CDL.......

[ScareCrow57]

Yes, in NY anyone with a drivers license can drive a fire truck. How stupid is that?? Not only do that not have to go through a qualification process, but they can also ignore the laws when driving in emergency mode, as long as they use due regard. Simply put, I find it amazing that there aren't more fatal apparatus crashes. Then again, on a per mile basis it could be the accident rate is very high.

[pasobuff]

Just found a good article.....

http://www.emergencyvehicleresponse....tory.php?82221

I too know people who have no business getting behind the wheel of a fire truck or any other emergency vehicle - yet they do because they have gone through 'training' in their department. Where did their trainer get their qualifications?.....when I fist joined the FD, most of the training was conducted by the 'old timers' - they guys who had 10-20-30 years experience driving apparatus and/or trucks......these days it seems that just about anyone can become a 'trainer' in their department.......how much salt that holds when you are in court defending your actions.....well.....not much I think.....

[mrpita]

As pasobuff's link states, a chief can sign a waiver to allow any FF to operate apparatus without a CDL.

From http://www.icecpraed.com/EVOC.html I found this:

"The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires that all EMS operators take [EVOC] prior to driving an Emergency Vehicle."

I don't know what law(s)/regulation(s) covers this.

I do know that Philly gives EVOC as part of the academy training, but we won't be able to drive per dept. policy until driver training in our field assignment, and upon driver qualification we are given a card that states we have the fire commissioner's permission to operate apparatus.

[blaster668]

Is it a STATE Requirement for each person driving an emergency vehicle to have EVOC or is it just a company by company thing?

PA does not require a CDL or EVOC to drive fire apparatus.

[PATF1engineer]

The PA Department of Health requires EVOC for drivers if your rescue is certified through them, however very few rescues in the state are certified. The DOH may also require EVOC for all EMS vehicles, but I am not certain of that. Nearly all EMS agencies that I am familar with, including ours, requires it.

Our township requires it for fire. We enforce it internally, but I can't speak for the other township companies.

[qrs_810]

ok...were looking into starting a QRS service in our area. just one F-150 or so...but we have NO CLUE??? weather we need EVOC or not were not worried about CDL but idk bout EVOC. Most of us are under 18 but are EMTs. So i have been lookin but cant find if its a Law or not???? if someone is 100% sure could they please let me know thanks

[Jonnee]

Is it a STATE Requirement for each person driving an emergency vehicle to have EVOC or is it just a company by company thing?

Call or e mail my friend in PA


Dunkle, Timothy SFA Fire Training Administrator 717-248-1115 x 107 tdunkle@state.pa.us

[FWDbuff]

ok...were looking into starting a QRS service in our area. just one F-150 or so...but we have NO CLUE??? weather we need EVOC or not were not worried about CDL but idk bout EVOC. Most of us are under 18 but are EMTs. So i have been lookin but cant find if its a Law or not???? if someone is 100% sure could they please let me know thanks

The state is the least of your worries- I would be more concerned getting insurance coverage with a bunch of under-18 year old's driving emergency speed.

[pasobuff]

Definitely need to consider INSURANCE....especially if the members are mostly under 18.......cost might be prohibitive.......

[charlie82]

Seeing as it is a F-150, there is really no need for a CDL. If you get in an accident and dont have EVOC, well I am sure that is a world of lawsuits.

[PATF1engineer]

ok...were looking into starting a QRS service in our area. just one F-150 or so...but we have NO CLUE??? weather we need EVOC or not were not worried about CDL but idk bout EVOC. Most of us are under 18 but are EMTs. So i have been lookin but cant find if its a Law or not???? if someone is 100% sure could they please let me know thanks

Here is a link to DOH requirements for a QRS service.

http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/he...ms/qrs_man.pdf

Minors are permitted to be EMTs however they must function in the field under adult supervision. You could not respond on a call with only minors. I am also almost 100% certain that you are not permitted to operate any emergency vehicle, fire or EMS, in PA as a minor regardless of EVOC.

There is a specific application process that requires a lot of documentation and equipment to be licensed as a QRS service. You need to have a minimum number of trained personnel, and they may not even count the juniors. Youshould contact the regional EMS office in your part of the state for more info.

[FWDbuff]

ok...were looking into starting a QRS service in our area. just one F-150 or so...but we have NO CLUE??? weather we need EVOC or not were not worried about CDL but idk bout EVOC. Most of us are under 18 but are EMTs. So i have been lookin but cant find if its a Law or not???? if someone is 100% sure could they please let me know thanks

BTW, for the record....NO ONE under the age of 18 has any business driving a vehicle in an emergent manner.

EVOC training is good to have even when you are not an emergency driver, and I certainly would not discourage them from taking the course.

[Doorbreaker]

Most EVOC courses require you to be over 18 and hold a valid DL before you can take the class.
As for NY requirements. NY doesn't "require" you to do anything to get on the fireground in a volunteer department. However being an OSHA state that uses the NFPA as it's bible there are many "unwritten" laws. If you don't pay attention to those then I hope you have really DEEP pockets...

[CGITCH]

As far as a CDL requirement in my state, it is not required you possess a CDL to drive to the scene in emergency mode, but coming back you are supposed to. It may not be a full CDL, but it is a requirement. There is also some grandfathering in, like my father who has been a volunteer for 33 years now has a chauffer's license that he was required to get to be able to drive back in the day. What you call EVOC courses don't exist, just driver-operator courses, and then the DOT CDL program.