MCCCD Program Description

Emergency Vehicle Driver Operator

Course: FSC111

First Term: 1998 Spring

Lecture 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s) 2 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Emergency vehicle operators training including the problems facing operators; the personal qualities of emergency vehicle operator candidates; legal responsibilities of operators; and physical forces involved in driving an emergency vehicle. Includes hands-on training in an emergency response vehicle

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify the problems facing the operators of emergency vehicles. (I) 2. Define and demonstrate the skills and attributes required of a candidate for operating an emergency vehicle. (II) 3. Explain the legal responsibilities of the emergency vehicle operator. (III) 4. Identify the physical forces involved in the operation of an emergency vehicle. (IV) 5. Describe preventive vehicle maintenance and maintenance record programs. (V) 6. Explain and demonstrate the necessity for standard operating procedures. (VI) 7. Identify the state and local laws that govern the operation of an emergency vehicle. (VII) 8. List and describe the responsibilities and characteristics of the safe emergency vehicle operator. (VIII) 9. Define and exemplify defensive driving. (VIII) 10. Demonstrate procedures and adjustments required to start up the emergency vehicle. (VIII) 11. Drive the obstacle course and obtain a passing score based on driving ability. (IX) 12. Drive the emergency vehicle on the road and obtain a passing score based on maneuvers and verbalization. (X) 13. Describe and demonstrate use of a recovery/salvage drum. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Problems Faced by Operators of Emergency Vehicles A. Family dependence for income B. Emergency vehicle accidents C. VFIS loss statistics D. Indiana State University of Pennsylvania Study E. General information II. Driving System Components A. Acquired ability and skills 1. Driver`s license 2. State and local laws 3. Defensive driving techniques B. Vehicle characteristics 1. Type of vehicle 2. Components 3. Special training required C. VFIS personnel file form III. Legal Aspects of Emergency Vehicle Operation A. Negligence B. Acting in good faith C. What is a true emergency? D. What is due regard for the safety of others? E. Case histories IV. Physical Forces A. Types of Energy 1. Potential energy 2. Kinetic energy 3. Velocity B. Types of control 1. Velocity control 2. Directional control C. Physical forces and emergency vehicle control 1. Friction a. Tire and road friction b. Friction at the brakes c. Velocity control and friction d. Possible ranges of pavement drag factors 2. Law of inertia 3. Law of momentum a. Momentum and inertia b. Law of conservation of momentum 4. Law of reaction 5. Centrifugal force 6. Centripetal force D. Following another vehicle 1. Safe following distance 2. Estimating following distances in the emergency mode 3. Stopping distances a. Light 2-axle trucks b. Heavy 2-axle trucks c. Three-axle trucks and combinations E. Seat belts (passenger restraints) 1. US DOT National Highway Administration Observations 2. OSHA Section 1915.100 Proposed Standards 3. Crash dynamics a. Car collisions b. Human collisions c. Factors contributing to injury and death 4. Unrestrained occupants 5. Belted occupants 6. Myths vs. facts regarding seat belt use V. Vehicle Maintenance A. Apparatus B. Equipment C. Personnel VI. Vehicle Standard Operating Procedures A. Reasons for constructing B. Areas addressed in SOP VII. Laws that Govern Emergency Vehicle Operation A. State B. Local VIII. Preoperation Principles and Procedures A. Responsibilities of the driver/operator B. Characteristics of the driver/operator C. Defensive driving vs. collision avoidance D. Start-up of the emergency vehicle 1. Procedures 2. Adjustments IX. Course Driving A. Serpentine B. Straight line C. Alley dock D. Diminishing clearance E. Parallel parking F. Scoring criteria X. Road Driving A. Road course B. Driver/operator requirements 1. Maneuvers 2. Verbalization C. Scoring criteria

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 2/24/1998

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.