By ROBERT RAHEB
Simulation training has be- come the benchmark and an acceptable standard in training. Departments that fail to proficiently and routinely train their members in vehicle operations are leaving themselves exposed to litigation not only from the community but also from the members themselves. Fire apparatus collisions are a leading factor in traumatic firefighter deaths; more than 25 percent occurred in apparatus collisions in 2008,1 surpassed only by medical emergencies such as stress-induced heart attacks.
In most states, every firefighter who drives or operates apparatus is required to attend and successfully complete specific training in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines; in some states, a firefighter must also possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL). And yet, we are still killing ourselves and others while performing our duties.
If you are a current subscriber,login hereto access this content.
If you would like to become a subscriber, please visit ushere.
