ADO-A Chapter 01

1. Aerial Apparatus
Driver/Operator Handbook
2nd Edition
Chapter 1 — The Driver/Operator

2. Learning Objective 1
Describe the skills and physical
abilities needed by the fire apparatus
driver/operator.
1–2
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

3. • Read, understand complex written
material
• Read in dark or inclement weather
• Use reading or prescription glasses if
necessary
Reading and Writing Skills
(Continued)
1–3
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

4. • Write maintenance reports, equipment
repair requests, incident reports
– Must be clear, understandable, valid,
accurate
– May be used as evidence
• Convey information completely,
accurately in writing
Reading and Writing Skills
1–4
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

5. • Perform addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division using fractions
and whole numbers
• Extract square roots
• Solve simple equations
Mathematical Skills
1–5
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

6. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What should be done if a
driver/operator candidate is found
deficient in math skills?
1–6
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

7. • Perform rigorous activities
• Perform lifts, bends, strenuous actions
to complete tasks quickly, safely
• Pass a periodic medical examination in
accordance with NFPA®
1500
Physical Fitness
1–7
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

8. Vision Requirements
1–8
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

9. • Hear and recognize sounds and their
importance
• Hear particular sounds
• Contained in NFPA®
1582
Hearing Requirements
1–9
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

10. • Mechanical aptitude
• Leadership skills
• Understanding of fireground tactics
• Correct problems as presented
• Computer literacy
Other Skills
1–10
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

11. Discuss selection of fire apparatus
driver/operators.
Learning Objective 2
1–11
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

12. • Most often selected from rank of
firefighter
• Selection basis
– Required time of service
– Written or performance tests
– Combination of service and tests
Career Departments
(Continued)
1–12
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

13. • May be a promotional position
• May not be separate rank, included as
duty of firefighter
Career Departments
1–13
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

14. • May use same criteria as career
departments
• More commonly, selected by chief
officers or company officers
• Should use some form of examination
for approval
• Must complete Fire Fighter I course
Volunteer Departments
1–14
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

15. • Required of any driver/operator
candidate
• Should include classroom instruction,
practical training in the field, and testing
Training Program
1–15
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

16. DISCUSSION QUESTION
For what amount of time should
aerial apparatus driver/operators be
trained?
1–16
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

17. Identify the driving regulations and
licensing requirements of the fire
apparatus driver/operator.
Learning Objective 3
1–17
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

18. • Determined by state or provincial laws,
city ordinances, and departmental
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Subject to all statutes, laws, and
ordinances that govern any vehicle
operator
Driving Regulations
(Continued)
1–18
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

19. • Emergency vehicles
– Defined by individual
states or provinces
– May be exempt
from certain laws
or statutes
Driving Regulations
(Continued)
1–19
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

20. • Pertain to dry, open roads and clear
visibility
• Most emergency vehicles are NOT
exempt from laws requiring vehicles to
stop for school buses when flashing red
lights
Driving Regulations
1–20
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

21. • United States — Department of
Transportation (DOT)
• Canada — Transport Canada (TC)
• National guidelines for licensing drivers
of trucks and other large vehicles
Licensing of Drivers
1–21
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

22. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Must driver/operators of emergency
vehicles hold a CDL?
1–22
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

23. Summary
• Driver/operators are responsible for
knowing the configuration of the aerial
apparatus and working with the
apparatus in a safe and efficient
manner.
(Continued)
1–23
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

24. • Various NFPA®
standards are in place
for the purpose of ensuring that the
driver/operator is entirely qualified for
the safe operation of fire apparatus.
Summary
(Continued)
1–24
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

25. • In addition, the driver/operator must
possess the required licenses or be
able to obtain them within their agency
guidelines.
Summary
1–25
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

26. Review Questions
1. What are the responsibilities of
the fire apparatus driver/operator?
2. Why must the driver/operator
possess good reading comprehension
skills?
3. What assistance may be
available to a potential driver/operator
lacking in mathematical skills? (Continued)
1–26
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

27. Review Questions
4. What types of rigorous activities
may a driver/operator perform?
5. Why must a driver/operator
have excellent hearing?
6. Why should a driver/operator
candidate be computer literate?
(Continued)
1–27
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

28. Review Questions
7. How do the criteria for career
and volunteer fire department
selection of driver/operators differ?
8. What components make up an
effective driver/operator training
program?
(Continued)
1–28
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

29. Review Questions
9. To what statutes, laws, and
ordinances are fire apparatus
driver/operators subject?
10. Who establishes basic
requirements for licensing of drivers in
the U.S. and Canada?
1–29
Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator