EMS exemption from CDL requirements?

[tedmed0302]

Can someone help me to understand why its OK for say a Firefighter to drive a 65,000LB pumper truck with Air Brakes and no CDL or DOT health certificate? Please don't say "because its the law." LoL!! What sense does it make?

 

[Rock knocker]

And farmers, military and RV'ers

 

[mpham]

A fireman is only supposed to drive the truck in an emergency to that location. After that is over a licensed operator is supposed to take over if available. At least here where I live. Would be pretty dumb to let a house burn to the ground just because a driver wasn't available.

 

[RickB]

Because it is political poison to criticize or limit efforts at public health and safety. So we end up with untrained drivers of emergency equipment, and volunteer and facilities with hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of equipment and not enough turnout to get them to an incident scene, let alone staff them.

Volunteers bear training requirements that reduce interest in participation. I'ts a double edged sword.

 

[BethelHntr]

Because it is political poison to criticize or limit efforts at public health and safety. So we end up with untrained drivers of emergency equipment, and volunteer and facilities with hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of equipment and not enough turnout to get them to an incident scene, let alone staff them.

Volunteers bear training requirements that reduce interest in participation. I'ts a double edged sword.

First responders are trained to drive emergency apparatus, EVAP emergency vehicle accident prevention.

 

[moriboy]

I volunteered for our local fire department from 1992-1996. Before any of us were ever allowed to drive anything other than a brush rig we had to go thru a fair amount of class room and hands on training. We spent time at our local airstrip learning during the EVOC class (emergency vehicle operation and control) which was basically obstacle course stuff. I would say I felt pretty comfortable behind the wheel of an engine once the training was complete.

I have more fear of huge RV's running up and down the road....

 

[zing]

I was a volunteer firefighter until I moved to an area served by a professional crew. I was required to pass the DMV's air brakes test before I was allowed to drive the trucks with air brakes. Did not have a CDL or any special insurance, although I believe insurance is covered by the department for anyone who drove the trucks.

No idea if that is a rule around here or just something that was implemented at that department, just saying my experience.

 

[tkappeler]

I volunteered for our local fire department from 1992-1996. Before any of us were ever allowed to drive anything other than a brush rig we had to go thru a fair amount of class room and hands on training. We spent time at our local airstrip learning during the EVOC class (emergency vehicle operation and control) which was basically obstacle course stuff. I would say I felt pretty comfortable behind the wheel of an engine once the training was complete.

I have more fear of huge RV's running up and down the road....

I second that. The department I belonged to from 1985-2000 required EVOC, defensive driving, substantial classroom and substantial behind the wheel with two separate instructors before we could even sign up for the proficiency exam (written and driving). I must have spent at least 40 hours in reverse only on every piece of equipment.

The obstacle course included: reverse straight line control, left alley dock, serpentine forward, serpentine in reverse, right alley dock, evasive lane shift, and diminishing clearance (9' down to 4" wider than tire track)

 

[firemanpat2910]

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

 

[Loadstar]

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.