EMS exemption from CDL requirements?

[blueriver]

wrote 3 very long responses deleted all. let me just make one comment. What's it too you ? You want a cdl, get one, leave us out of it

!!!!!!! That's right .. I could write a book with my VFD career ... Climbed the chain of command to chief... A good departments training program will outclass any so called truck driver school.

 

[grnspot110]

wrote 3 very long responses deleted all. let me just make one comment. What's it too you ? You want a cdl, get one, leave us out of it

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I spent 29 years as a small town paid firefighter, mostly before the CDL system was enacted. I see a lot of "truck drivers" (among others) who shouldn't be on the road!

I once told our local rural (volunteer) fire chief about a problem driver with on of his fire trucks, turned out it was him driving it & he has a CDL! ~~ Lowell

 

[tedmed0302]

LoL! I like the responses folks! Thank you to those that shared what they know about this. I by no means want to defend all licensed CDL drivers, don't get me wrong here, but we have to start somewhere---meaning for the non-exempt.

 

[WM75Guy]

It's not OK. In Texas there is a Class A & B CDL and Class A & B, also known as exempt or non-CDL. If the fire vehicle meets A or B requirements, you must have a correct license of either type. The Class A & B has the same written exam and driving test as the Class A & B CDL. The medical card is not required and there are not any endorsements on the license such as airbrakes. When I was in Missouri you could drive to the scene of an emergency without the proper license but not back to the station.

TxDPS - Commercial Driver License

CDL Exemptions

Individuals who operate any of the following vehicles are not required to obtain a CDL but must have the correct type of driver license for the vehicle they are operating:
1.Military or commercial vehicles when operated for military purposes by military personnel,
2.A vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport agricultural products, machinery or supplies within 150 miles of the individual痴 farm,
3.Fire-fighting or emergency vehicles necessary to the preservation of life or property or the execution of emergency governmental functions whether operated by an employee of a political subdivision or by a volunteer fire fighter,
4.Recreational vehicles driven for personal use (although a CDL is not required, individuals may need to obtain a Class A driver license), and
5.A vehicle used exclusively to transport seed cotton modules or cotton burrs.

 

[Steve IA]

See plenty of "licensed" truck drivers that should not operate a truck. You either have the ability or you don't. This guy has a CDL and a DOT health card what's that say about the system.

It's tough to judge his driving skills from this angle. And not being a doctor I won't assume to assess his health.

 

[Loadstar]

It's tough to judge his driving skills from this angle. And not being a doctor I won't assume to assess his health.

Not too tough, if I was hiring a driver I would not be tossing the keys to my Freightliner to him.

 

[BryanMA]

It varies by state, but from what I have heard, MA doesn't require it because (historically) of the cost for the full timers in cities to be licensed. At this point the cost may not be the issue, but I believe historically it was. I believe most departments (including volunteer) in the state have strong driver training programs including documentation because of insurance/liability purposes. It is not the case in MA that you need to be on the way to an emergency, but you do have to be on the job. Especially in rural environments, pump operations is by far the harder skill to learn than driving, even if the truck is 65K lbs with airbrakes. If you are asking this in reference to call/volunteer firefighters, sometime look at the training they have under their belt and you might be impressed. Firefighter I/II certifications, many of them EMTs or greater, driver training etc, and much of the work they do are the thankless tasks to be prepared. The guys who are impressed with their own driving abilities and license levels sometimes have the worst driving records, and often don't last long when they realize the job isn't all flashing lights and sirens. I had my CDL in the past but let it drop years ago when I moved states. Probably a mistake.

 

[tkappeler]

Our department had a combination of career and volunteer. Note I did not say professional. We were all professionals, some were paid, some not. We trained to the same high level. Almost para-military level. Even down to minute details like what days we changed from short to long sleeve uniforms. The training levels were extremely high. As a volunteer, I just had to put those hours in after my normal job.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I think the question is a good one. The answers probably give us all a better appreciation for both careers (truckers and first responders). I think one can gain insight by asking the question the other way... Why DO career drivers need a CDL?

*A firefighter/EMT can be removed from duty by his superiors if he is deemed unfit or incapable to drive as needed. If an owner of a large truck isn't capable of operating it how else would the powers that be limit the hazard?
*Firefighters and EMT's typically operate within a limited geographical area (the fire district).
*Revenue (???) Is there additional revenue generated for highway departments and local governments by issuing CDL's?

 

[JBourquin]

The part that confuses me is that the state feels it's ok to let an unlicensed driver operate said 65k lb vehicle to a fire scene with adrenaline pumping, radios screaming, sirens blaring and pretty much all he11 breaking loose, but when it comes time for a controlled slow return to the fire station the law says "no".