Prevention TRUCK
Licensing Tiller Truck Operators are not required to have a Class A license. These vehicles require the same licensing as any of our other ladder trucks or engines, Class B or BR. Class A vehicles have a trailer which is easily detachable. They have a different VIN than the tractor and a separate license plate. Tiller trucks are not easily detachable, and carry the same VIN and license plate for the tractor and the trailer.
Licensing DMV Law & NFPA1500 & 1451 Driver s License Requirement No person shall operate firefighting equipment unless that person has a valid driver s license for that class of vehicle. Driver Licenses shall be checked and validated by the employer. This includes Class of Driver s License, required endorsements, and current medical information. Medical updated every 2 years. Mandated by Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 part 383.23 - Commercial Driver License Standards (Department of Transportation)
Licensing Minimum License Standard Fire Fighter Firefighter Class B Endorsements (X) Airbrake Tank Hazardous Materials It shall read Firefighter Class B Endorsement X Restriction 80, 50 Or Commercial Class B Endorsement X
Licensing CVC 12954 A firefighter, driving a fire apparatus for the purpose of emergency operations is not required to have a driver license on his or her immediate possession. But they must have a properly classed and endorsed driver license at the station that can be obtained if required.
LACoFD Policy & CVC Minimum requirement to operate a fire engine, ladder truck (includes tillers), quint, crew truck, water tender, fuel tender, heli-tender, or any Class B vehicle weighing more than 26,001 lbs is a Restricted Firefighter Class B License with airbrake, tank, and hazardous materials endorsements. Minimum requirement to operate a Haz-Mat squad, USAR, or any tractor trailer Class A vehicle is a Restricted Firefighter Class A License with airbrake, tank, and hazardous materials endorsements A Firefighter Restricted license is a commercial license. You will be held to all rules, policies, laws, and sanctions that apply to commercial license holders. MCSIA 1999
LACoFD Policy Probationary fire fighter driver/operator training First six-month probationary period: probationary fire fighters shall not drive any vehicle nor operate in the tiller position during a Code R response. Probationary fire fighters shall not train in or operate the tiller position without the direct supervision of a qualified LACoFD employee possessing a class BR, or higher drivers license. Second six-month probationary period: probationary fire fighters may drive vehicles (including in the tiller position ) Code R, provided they posses a class BR, or higher drivers license and have obtained all required training on the vehicle they are to operate. They are also to have been approved by their direct supervisor, BDS & jurisdictional BC. They shall advise their cardfile of all approved driving capabilities prior to an assignment of an overtime. LACoFD Policy V-D, C-1, S-2
Legal Aspects Why be cautious? Why clear intersections? Why communicate on your TAC with other responding companies?
Legal Aspects 22350 Basic Speed Law No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway (road) at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway(road), and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property. CVC 2007 Vehicle Accident Prevention - TRUCK
Legal Aspects LACoFD Policy Engines, Trucks, Quints, Fuel Tenders, Heli-Tenders, & Trailer equipped vehicles that have 3 axles or more No person shall drive any of the above vehicles at a speed in excess of 55 MPH or the posted speed limit. This policy applies to both emergency and non-emergency operation. Vehicle Accident LACoFD Policy V-D, C-4, S-5, III Policy F-1
Defensive and Safe Driving Remember seat belts save lives! And it s the law. NFPA 1500 6.2.5 (2002) NFPA 1451 8.3 (2002) CVC 27305 & 27315 (2007)
Centrifugal Force Definition - The force caused by inertia which tends to make a rotating body move away from the center of the rotation. How does this affect driving? Centrifugal force coupled with inertia and momentum varied by velocity will either allow friction to hold a vehicle on the roadway around a corner / curve or it will not. The key factor is velocity (speed).
Weight Transfer The shift of weight Effective use is critical for safe handling of an apparatus. Affects Turning right or left Braking / stopping Acceleration Speed Too fast causes to much G- force causing vehicle to roll due to topside cargo FD cargo = Water o Movable or fluid cargo
Habits Proper turning? Proper responding?
Habits Vehicle Control Rear end swing Rear tire cheating during turns Longer wheelbase, more cheating Dry steering Turn in direction of travel before stopping Skids Release brakes let wheels turn Turn towards direction of desired travel Tire blowout Front Both hands on wheel, no brakes May cause vehicle to make right angle turn Rear Both hands on wheel, brake slowly
Vehicle Weight The heavier the vehicle, the more distance required to stop it. Your personal car = 1500 6500 pounds (¾ 3 ¼ tons) PM Squad = 10,000-12,000 pounds (5-6 tons) Fire Engine = 34,000 45,000 pounds (17 22 ½ tons) Ladder Truck / Quint = 70,000 75,000 pounds (35 37 ½ tons) Class A (Haz-Mat / USAR) = 50,000-60,000 pounds (25-30 tons)
Vehicle Weight & Braking Axles 18 Wheel Tractor-Trailer Up to 80,000 pounds. This truck has 5 braking axles. Tiller Truck/Quint Up to 75,000 pounds. This truck has 3 braking axles with the tiller axle being only at 60% of it s braking due to it being a steering axle.
BREAK TIME