1.2 Each commanding officer shall post a listing of chauffeur positions and members filling these positions (regular, back-up, in-training).

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1 December 16, CHAUFFEUR SELECTION 1.1 Division Commanders shall establish a minimum number of chauffeur positions for each unit in their command. 1.2 Each commanding officer shall post a listing of chauffeur positions and members filling these positions (regular, back-up, in-training). 1.3 Members must have three (3) years experience in the Fire Department to be considered for Chauffeur Training School. In unusual circumstances, exceptions to this policy will be granted with the approval of the Chief of Operations. 1.4 The primary input for selection, training, and assignment of members to Chauffeur Training School must come from the Company Commander aided by the company officers. They shall select members who will make competent, effective fire apparatus chauffeurs. 1.5 On-the-job training and evaluation shall be coordinated by the Company Commander and the company officers using Company Qualification Checklists CT-5 and CT-6. Members should be evaluated on their driving skills which should include, but not be limited to: Ability to safely maneuver apparatus through heavy traffic on various surfaces. Sound judgment and defensive driving practice. Knowledge of the particular district. Ability to take appropriate firefighting action for the type of apparatus assigned to the unit. 1.6 Written evaluations of the results of training shall be prepared and discussed with the member. Additional training shall be given when necessary and the effectiveness of this supplemental training shall be recorded. The completed Company Qualification Checklist shall be a tool to assist the training officers in this process. It shall be filed at the company level and forwarded with the candidate when they are selected to attend Chauffeur Training School at the Bureau of Training. 1.7 When a member does not meet qualifications as outlined above, this member shall not be eligible for selection and another member of the unit shall be chosen for training and evaluation by the Company Commander pursuant to the steps outlined above. 1

2 1.8 Chauffeur Training School involves approximately 80 hours of instruction including classroom and practical apparatus operation. Members who have passed Chauffeur Training School shall be eligible for a position as a regular unit chauffeur. 1.9 If a Qualified Chauffeur/Tiller is not assigned as a chauffeur and/or tiller for an extended period of time, he or she shall practice operating the apparatus during drills, returning from alarms, and on inspectional duties so that his or her skills may be maintained The ultimate decision to award the position of regular unit chauffeur shall be made by the Company Commander in consultation with the company officers and shall be based primarily on the following: annual performance evaluations, aptitude, demeanor, judgment, and seniority. When members have received less than satisfactory annual evaluations in any area that reflects on the duties and responsibilities of a chauffeur, these members shall be re-evaluated in accordance with sections 1.5, 1.6, and CHAUFFEUR TRAINING 2.1 It is the policy of this Department to assure that all units have a sufficient number of school trained chauffeurs to operate the apparatus at all times. To this end, the Bureau of Training will maintain a continuous program of training chauffeurs. 2.2 The primary input for selection, training, and assignment of members to Chauffeur Training School must come from the Company Commander aided by company officers. 2.3 The selection of chauffeurs shall be in accordance with this document and must include, but not be limited to, the training listed in Company Qualification Checklists CT-5 and CT Prior to attending Chauffeur Training School, each member must be given at least five (5) hours of driver training, not including emergency responses. To assure this, Company Commanders shall implement and maintain an ongoing program of developing and evaluating selected members by having them drive and/or operate the apparatus at drills, returning from alarms, on inspectional duties, etc. 2.5 Company Commanders shall use Company Qualification Checklists CT-5 and CT-6 to ensure all necessary training is completed during the Company Qualification process. To ensure proficiency and a basic understanding of the chauffeur s duties, the listed training points must be completed prior to the chauffeur candidate attending Chauffeur Training School. Company Commander and chauffeur candidate signatures on the checklist attest to the candidate s proficiency in the stated areas. 2.6 Battalion Commanders shall establish controls to ensure that Company Commanders are complying with the goals outlined in this circular, the completion of the training listed in this document, and Company Qualification Checklists CT-5 and CT-6. 2

3 2.7 When, in the opinion of the Company Commander, a firefighter is proficient in driving and operating the apparatus, an entry shall be made in the office record journal. Such company trained members may be used as a chauffeur to fill a short term and temporary vacancy. In order to effectuate this policy, it is incumbent upon all Company and Battalion Commanders to: Assure that school trained chauffeurs are utilized in preference to company trained chauffeurs. Prior to the start of any tour, Battalion Chiefs shall ensure that surplus school trained chauffeurs are utilized in preference to company trained chauffeurs in units within their Battalion. Assure that school trained chauffeurs are properly apportioned across the group chart to gain maximum utilization. Where necessary, control the granting of mutual exchanges if they adversely affect the policy of maintaining, to the greatest extent possible, the staffing of all apparatus with school trained chauffeurs. 2.8 When, in the opinion of the Company Commander, a member's performance as a chauffeur is less than satisfactory, the Company Commandeer may recommend, by written report with all relevant facts to the Chief of Operations, that the member's designation as chauffeur be revoked. 2.9 Engine Company Chauffeurs (ECC) transferred to Ladder Companies, and Ladder Company Chauffeurs (LCC) transferred to Engine Companies, shall have their prior unit chauffeur designation immediately revoked upon transfer. In unusual circumstances, exceptions to this policy will be granted with the approval of the Chief of Operations Company Commanders shall forward Form CT-1 to their Administrative Division semi-annually by February 1st and August 1st. Battalion Commanders shall forward Form CT-1A to their Administrative Division semi-annually by February 1st and August 1st. Division Commanders shall refer to this information when selecting units to fill assigned slots in Chauffeur Training School. 3. RESCINDING OF CHAUFFEUR STATUS 3.1 The operation of apparatus and other automotive equipment of the Department is a part of the job description of a full-duty firefighter. However, under certain conditions it may be necessary to rescind a member s chauffeur status. This measure shall be taken only after all other means to correct the situation have been exhausted. 3.2 Engine and Ladder Company chauffeurs hold positions of great responsibility. They are required to drive apparatus safely and efficiently through city streets under sometimes trying conditions. They must also possess the skills, knowledge, and confidence to operate a variety of Department apparatus at the scene of fires and emergencies. 3

4 3.3 The Company Commander or a firefighter may request that the firefighter s chauffeur status be rescinded due to a number of situations. These situations may include, but are not restricted to, the following: A loss of confidence by the chauffeur due to a recent trauma involving an on-duty or off-duty vehicular accident. Manifestation of a physical condition which could impair the chauffeur s driving ability, such as deteriorating eyesight, a slow-down of reaction time, etc. Personal problems which affect the chauffeur s ability to concentrate, such as illness or death of a loved one, recent divorce, etc. 3.4 Rescinding a firefighter s chauffeur status is a final step and should be taken only after all of the resources of the Department such as retraining, medical treatment, counseling, etc., have been exhausted. A Company Commander may temporarily relieve a firefighter of chauffeur duties while any of these resources are being employed. 3.5 Any requests for the rescinding of chauffeur status will be directed through the chain of command to the Chief of Operations, with endorsements. Requests shall also include the number of chauffeurs presently assigned to the unit. 4. CHAUFFEUR STAFFING 4.1 School trained chauffeurs are defined as those members who have satisfactorily completed a Chauffeur Training Course at the Bureau of Training. Engine and Squad companies shall start each tour with at least one (1) school trained Engine Company Chauffeur (ECC). Ladder and Rescue companies shall start each tour with at least one (1) school trained Ladder Company Chauffeur (LCC). Hazardous Materials Company shall start each tour with at least two (2) school trained Ladder Company Chauffeurs (LCCs). 4.2 The following units shall start each tour with at least two (2) school trained chauffeurs: Satellite Units Planning Vehicle Collapse Rescue Units Decon Units (other than Tractor Trailer apparatus) 4

5 4.3 The following units shall start each tour with at least one (1) school trained chauffeur and one (1) company trained chauffeur. If more than one (1) school trained chauffeur is available in the same quarters, they shall be used before company trained chauffeurs. Foam Units Airport Hose Wagons Companies designated as back-up to Foam Units, Airport Hose Wagons, Satellite Units, Planning Vehicle, Collapse Rescue Units, and Decon Units (other than Tractor Trailer apparatus) 4.4 Tractor Trailer apparatus and their designated back-up units shall start each tour with at least one (1) school trained chauffeur and at least one (1) school trained Tractor Trailer chauffeur. 4.5 When a designated back-up unit is staffed with one (1) school trained chauffeur and one (1) company trained chauffeur and is assigned to pick up a special unit's second piece, they shall be guided by the following: The company trained chauffeur shall drive the assigned apparatus accompanied by the officer. The school trained chauffeur shall drive the second piece accompanied by another firefighter. The assigned apparatus and the second piece shall travel as a convoy. 4.6 All other Special Units require only an operator with a valid NYS Driver's License. 5. LEAVES GRANTED 5.1 If a chauffeur is granted leave after the start of a tour, the officer on duty shall: Notify the administrative Battalion Chief. The unit shall remain in service with a school trained chauffeur or company trained chauffeur from the quarters the member was working in when the leave was granted. If a school trained chauffeur is required, the Battalion Chief shall detail a school trained chauffeur from any unit within the Battalion to cover the vacancy. If no school trained chauffeur is available from within the Battalion, DSCO shall be notified to detail a school trained chauffeur into the unit to cover the vacancy. If no school trained chauffeur is available citywide, the unit shall remain in service with a company trained chauffeur. 5

6 6. CHAUFFEUR PAY DIFFERENTIAL 6.1 Members performing chauffeur/tiller duties in the following apparatus shall be eligible to receive differential: Engine Company Ladder Company Haz-Mat Company Squad Company Rescue Company Haz-Mat (Second Piece) 6.2 Members performing chauffeur duties in the following units shall be eligible for differential only for tours when such apparatus is actually employed (e.g., receipt of alarm/drill assignment, etc.). Satellite Unit Decontamination Unit High-Rise Unit Foam Unit Tactical Support Unit Reserve Apparatus Brush Fire Unit CPC Unit Hose Wagon Purple K Unit SOC Support Unit Collapse Rescue Unit Haz-Mat Tech Unit 6.3 Members performing chauffeur duties will be entitled to the differential only for scheduled tour hours and not beyond. The differential is not provided in situations where the chauffeur works beyond the end of the tour. For example, an Engine Company chauffeur working an entire 6x9 tour returns from a run at 0930 hours. The chauffeur differential is 15 hours. 6.4 If a member is placed on leave, he/she shall be eligible for differential only for the time actually spent performing chauffeur duties during that tour, (e.g., FF. Smith is designated ECC for the 6x9 tour and is placed on medical leave at 2100 hrs. FF. Smith is eligible for 3 hours differential. The member replacing FF. Smith is eligible for the differential for the remainder of the tour). 7. DRIVER S LICENSE SUSPENSION 7.1 Each week the Department of Motor Vehicles will send a list to the Department of the names of members that they are tracking for suspension of license, revoked license, etc. These members will be notified through the chain of command for proper action. 7.2 During the period of suspension, revocation, etc., the affected members shall not be allowed to drive ANY Department vehicles. Members shall comply with Section of the Regulations. 6

7 7.3 When these members clear their record, they will be sent a receipt or abstract from the Department of Motor Vehicles. These receipts shall be delivered to the Company Commander, who will forward these receipts to the Bureau of Personnel, Tracking Officer, along with a report containing the following items: 1. Rank 2. Name 3. Unit 4. Social Security # 5. Date of Birth 6. Driver s license # 7. Date license re-instated 7.4 Reports received at the Bureau of Personnel will be verified, stamped approved and returned to the proper unit. Until such time the approved report is returned to the unit, the affected member shall not be allowed to drive ANY Department vehicle. 8. SAFE DRIVING AWARD 8.1 Some units have established an enviable vehicular accident-free record. The Fire Commissioner and the Chief of Department, in recognizing this achievement in safe vehicle operations, have established the "SAFE DRIVING AWARD". This award will be limited to Engine Companies, Ladder Companies, Squad Companies, Rescue Companies, and special units. 8.2 In order to obtain a Safe Driving Award, the unit must have had a vehicular accident-free record after responding to over 10,000 runs. 8.3 The Safe Driving Award is also awarded to the unit's regular chauffeurs who contributed to the accident-free record, and in addition, maintained their own accident-free record. 8.4 The award is to be presented by the Fire Commissioner, or his representative, at such site as is deemed appropriate. 8.5 The award is to be presented to the Company Commander of the unit earning such award. Awards are also presented to the unit's regular chauffeurs who have helped secure the accident-free record. 8.6 Notice of the award is to appear on Department Orders, WNYF, and other media approved by the Fire Commissioner. 8.7 Additional awards are to be issued for each 5,000 runs without a vehicular accident. Chauffeurs are also eligible to receive awards for the unit's additional 5,000 runs without a vehicular accident. 7

8 8.8 Company Commanders of units who qualify for a Safe Driving Award shall forward a written report, including the names of regular chauffeurs who helped the unit achieve its accident-free record, to the Safety Command. Safety Command will evaluate such report to determine whether the unit has qualified for an award. 8