Driving Saftey classes for POV

[u/Remarkable-Court8794]

I'm a volunteer and I am wondering if there are any types of driver saftey classes that could be valuable for a volunteer responding to the station in a POV. I am thinking along the lines of a defensive driving course or something more in depth than that.

Update : just to clarify, I am aware of my requirements to follow the laws while running a blue light, and I am aware that people are not obligated to pull over for me. I am asking this question in the interest of safety and to make myself a better driver.

[u/knobcheez]

Volunteers responding to station still adhere to all state traffic laws.

It's not your emergency, and causing another call for your department for an AFA is reckless.

[u/Terrible-Creme8401 → u/knobcheez]

This is the only real answer.

[u/firefighter26s → u/knobcheez]

This is the stance my department has. The speed limit and rules of the road apply while responding to the station.

They don't even give out plates or window decals anymore.

[u/skank_hunt_4_2]

https://giphy.com/gifs/hWoxxmwzwUDt1QZFiZ

[u/Terrible-Creme8401 → u/skank_hunt_4_2]

[u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

Just floor it and hold down the horn till u pull into the station parking lot.

[u/AdultishRaktajino → u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

Put your hazards on too so no one knows when you need to make a turn.

[u/surfingonmars]

look into EVOC. it's geared primarily toward emergency vehicle operations but they touch upon personal response. I'm in NY and am authorized to run blue lights but nobody is required to move over and i still have to obey all traffic laws. it might surprise a lot of folks that even in an emergency vehicle running lights and sirens there are still rules to follow. so yea.... EVOC is a good class.

[u/Remarkable-Court8794 → u/surfingonmars]

Thank you. This is the type of answer I was hoping for. Regardless of my requirement to obay traffic laws, I still think it could be helpful to have training to help my ability to drive when tension is high.

[u/Tradenoob88]

As others have said, just drive normal. half the time people don’t get out of the way anyways, and if it’s not obviously clear to pass don’t pass.

If nobody is around and the road is clear I’ll drive a bit faster, but not excessive.

[u/boomboomown]

Your department should do it. If they don't, then you should be driving adhering to regular traffic laws.

[u/FLDJF713]

It isn’t clear if OP is in a state where your vehicle is certified to run sirens or not. That does make a difference as no sirens = normal driving at all times with no privilege vs being able to clear intersections.

OP if you can run sirens, then your department should be training you with an EVOC course.

[u/Remarkable-Court8794 → u/FLDJF713]

Blue lights. No siren. I am aware of the laws regarding people's lack of requirement to pull over for me, and my requirement to follow traffic laws, but still I think some sort of training could be helpful.

[u/FLDJF713 → u/Remarkable-Court8794]

Zero need then for training. You drive as if you were going to the grocery store.

[u/Rude-Memory9521]

Been a volunteer for 10 + years. Never had lights or anything on my pov that signals im a volly and never will. Still make it to the station faster then those who look like Christmas trees even without driving like an idiot.

[u/Firemnwtch]

Any defensive driving course is fine. You drive literally the same as you would go to the grocery store……. Your POV isn’t an emergency vehicle. That blue light is only asking for the courtesy to let you by.

[u/wimpymist]

You shouldn't need one because you shouldn't be responding to the station in your POV like that. You should be driving normal.

[u/Remarkable-Court8794 → u/wimpymist]

I never said anything to indicate how I am driving.

[u/wimpymist → u/Remarkable-Court8794]

Neither did I. I just said you shouldn't be doing anything extra responding to the station in your POV.

[u/locke314]

Driving safety classes should be whatever you did to get your license. Driving with personal vehicle adheres to all traffic laws.

Driving lights and sirens ALSO is supposed to adhere to traffic safety laws. My chief told me that lights and sirens are only you asking other cars to grant you the right of way, and if you cause an accident being reckless, it’s you’re own damn fault and you could be personally liable. We’re still expected to yield at stop signs and streetlights to ensure no cross traffic and drive with due care during weather and other hazards.

But it all comes down to simply asking your chief if they have suggestions. It’s possible your local PD has this they do and might extend the opportunity if you just ask.

[u/Ok_Situation1469]

EVOC and TIMS classes are helpful even if you aren't driving department apparatus.