Fire Districts Association of California California Firefighter Drivers Licensing Implementation of AB 1648

Fire Districts Association of CaliforniaFire Districts Association of California

California Firefighter California Firefighter Drivers LicensingDrivers Licensing

Implementation of AB 1648Implementation of AB 1648


The IssuesThe Issues

Fire agencies, particularly Fire agencies, particularly in rural areas, having in rural areas, having difficulty getting operators difficulty getting operators and equipment to a DMV and equipment to a DMV office for driver testingoffice for driver testingReduction coming in Reduction coming in 2012 of DMV testing sites 2012 of DMV testing sites to meet DOT to meet DOT requirementsrequirementsRules on DL 170 program Rules on DL 170 program (internal testing) too (internal testing) too arduousarduous


Legislative ProcessLegislative Process

California State California State Assembly hearings in Assembly hearings in Sacramento and San Sacramento and San DiegoDiegoAssembly Members Assembly Members Jeffries and Chesbro Jeffries and Chesbro involvedinvolvedIntroduction of AB Introduction of AB 1648 in January, 1648 in January, 20102010


AB 1648AB 1648

Introduced in January, 2010Introduced in January, 2010Several iterations as it Several iterations as it moved through the various moved through the various Assembly and Senate Assembly and Senate CommitteesCommitteesSigned by the Governor Signed by the Governor and Chaptered on and Chaptered on September 27, 2010September 27, 2010Takes effect January 1, Takes effect January 1, 20112011


AB 1648 RequirementsAB 1648 Requirements

Fire agencies now required to participate in the DMV Fire agencies now required to participate in the DMV “Pull Program”. Cal. Veh. Code Section 1808.1 (h) (2)“Pull Program”. Cal. Veh. Code Section 1808.1 (h) (2)

Fire agencies Fire agencies notnot subject to subject to feesfees for Pull Program for Pull Program

Pull Program requires initial screening, record updates, Pull Program requires initial screening, record updates, routine review and employers to not allow drivers to routine review and employers to not allow drivers to operate if they have violationsoperate if they have violations


AB 1648 RequirementsAB 1648 Requirements

Section 12804.11 added to the California Section 12804.11 added to the California Vehicle CodeVehicle CodeRequires “Firefighter Endorsement” for driving Requires “Firefighter Endorsement” for driving and operating fire apparatusand operating fire apparatusMay be Class A, B or C with FF endorsementMay be Class A, B or C with FF endorsement


Firefighter Endorsement RequisitesFirefighter Endorsement Requisites

Provide proof of Provide proof of employment/membership in FD employment/membership in FD (Letter from the Chief) to DMV(Letter from the Chief) to DMV

FF completes trainingFF completes training

Requires department to train Requires department to train and certifyand certify

Physical required every 4 yearsPhysical required every 4 years


TrainingTraining

SFM D/O 1A or NFPA SFM D/O 1A or NFPA 1002, 2008 version1002, 2008 version

Prepare applicant for Prepare applicant for safe operation of fire safe operation of fire apparatusapparatus

At least 16 hours At least 16 hours classroomclassroom

At least 14 hours At least 14 hours manipulative, drivingmanipulative, driving


Driver Training Driver Training Instructor Certs and QualsInstructor Certs and Quals

Instructor registered with the SFM to teach Instructor registered with the SFM to teach D/O 1A; or all of these:D/O 1A; or all of these:

5 years in FS as an emergency vehicle operator, 5 years in FS as an emergency vehicle operator, three years of which at FAE or higherthree years of which at FAE or higher

Possess Class A or B licensePossess Class A or B license

Certified as a T/O by State, Feds or County Certified as a T/O by State, Feds or County Training Officers AssociationTraining Officers Association


Driver Candidate RequirementsDriver Candidate Requirements

Pass a written test administered by Pass a written test administered by DMV based on SFM materialsDMV based on SFM materials

Physical within 4 years of applicationPhysical within 4 years of application

Submit a medical report to DMVSubmit a medical report to DMV

Holders of a current restricted FF Holders of a current restricted FF license subject to physicals at time of license subject to physicals at time of renewalrenewal

No added charge for FF endorsementNo added charge for FF endorsement


When is Endorsement Required?When is Endorsement Required?

1.1. Equipment operated by Equipment operated by an employee/member as an employee/member as a firefighter of a fire a firefighter of a fire agency; and,agency; and,

2.2. The vehicle is used to The vehicle is used to travel to scenes carrying travel to scenes carrying personnel and/or personnel and/or equipmentequipment


Other InformationOther Information

Endorsement not required Endorsement not required while operating during training, while operating during training, during non emergency times, during non emergency times, while under direct supervision while under direct supervision of a qualified licensed operatorof a qualified licensed operator

Operation includes tiller and/or Operation includes tiller and/or other vehicles that would other vehicles that would otherwise require a Class A or otherwise require a Class A or B prior to effective dateB prior to effective date


ImplementationImplementation

Fire agency may Fire agency may continue requirement continue requirement for Class A and/or Bfor Class A and/or BApplies to firefighters Applies to firefighters hired or renewing a hired or renewing a license after January license after January 1, 20111, 2011Implication/intent is Implication/intent is that current licensing that current licensing is OK until renewalis OK until renewal


Questions?Questions?

FDAC1218 K StreetSuite 2290Sacramento1.800.829.4309


Documents

Fire Districts Association of California California Firefighter Drivers Licensing Implementation of AB 1648