Relief Driver Certification COURSE OBJECTIVES Provide students with the ability to safely and effectively operate fire apparatus under various emergency

Relief Relief DriverDriver

CertificatioCertificationn

COURSE OBJECTIVESCOURSE OBJECTIVES

Provide students with the ability to safely Provide students with the ability to safely and effectively operate fire apparatus and effectively operate fire apparatus under various emergency and non-under various emergency and non-emergency situations.emergency situations.

Ensure that students are fully competent Ensure that students are fully competent with the handling of apparatus as well as with the handling of apparatus as well as possessing the skills necessary to operate possessing the skills necessary to operate under numerous fireground situations.under numerous fireground situations.

Provide thorough knowledge of Provide thorough knowledge of apparatus.apparatus.

ANNUAL STATISTICSANNUAL STATISTICS

200420041,786,088 MILES ON FIRE VEHICLES1,786,088 MILES ON FIRE VEHICLES

46,269 CALLS46,269 CALLS

200520051,918,736 MILES IN FIRE VEHICLES1,918,736 MILES IN FIRE VEHICLES

56,377 CALLS56,377 CALLS

SOBERING SOBERING FACTSFACTS

IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS THREE APPARATUS THREE APPARATUS

OPERATORS NATIONWIDE OPERATORS NATIONWIDE HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR

ACCIDENTS THAT SEVERELY ACCIDENTS THAT SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED INJURED OR KILLED

FIREFIGHTERS OR CIVILIANSFIREFIGHTERS OR CIVILIANS

LEGAL ASPECTSLEGAL ASPECTS

Georgia State Traffic CodeGeorgia State Traffic Code

Local Speed Limits and/or ZonesLocal Speed Limits and/or Zones

Departmental Operating GuidelinesDepartmental Operating Guidelines


We are subject to all traffic codes We are subject to all traffic codes unless an exemption appliesunless an exemption applies

Exemptions only apply when Exemptions only apply when operating on an emergencyoperating on an emergency

Regardless, you can still be held Regardless, you can still be held civilly or criminally liable for your civilly or criminally liable for your actions if an accidents occurs and actions if an accidents occurs and property damage, injury, or loss of property damage, injury, or loss of life resultslife results


The State Traffic Code gives us many The State Traffic Code gives us many exemptions during an emergency exemptions during an emergency

response. No speed limits are response. No speed limits are imposed by the code so how do we imposed by the code so how do we

determine our actions?determine our actions?

The code does not relieve us of the The code does not relieve us of the duty to drive with “due regard” for duty to drive with “due regard” for

the safety of all persons.the safety of all persons.

DUE REGARDDUE REGARD

Due regard Due regard is a reasonably careful is a reasonably careful person, performing similar duties person, performing similar duties under similar circumstances, that under similar circumstances, that would act in the same manner as would act in the same manner as

you.you.

The Driver Of An Authorized The Driver Of An Authorized Emergency Vehicle May:Emergency Vehicle May:

Park or Stand, irrespective of the Park or Stand, irrespective of the provisions of the chapterprovisions of the chapter

Proceed past a red or stop signal or Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but ONLY after slowing stop sign, but ONLY after slowing down as may be necessary for safe down as may be necessary for safe operation “YOU MUST STOP IN operation “YOU MUST STOP IN GWINNETT!!!!!”GWINNETT!!!!!”

Exceed the maximum speed limits so Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he/she does not endanger life long as he/she does not endanger life or propertyor property

Disregard regulations governing Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in direction of movement or turning in specified directionspecified direction

LOOK AHEADLOOK AHEAD

Always drive within your capabilities as Always drive within your capabilities as an emergency vehicle operator while an emergency vehicle operator while

considering the limitations of the considering the limitations of the apparatus with apparatus with due regarddue regard for the for the

safety of others.safety of others.

What constitutes What constitutes due regard?due regard?

Due RegardDue Regard

Was enough notice of approach given Was enough notice of approach given before a collision was inevitable?before a collision was inevitable?

Was the notice appropriate?Was the notice appropriate? Were all warning devices being used?Were all warning devices being used? Were they used in an appropriate Were they used in an appropriate

manner?manner? Could everyone see and hear you?Could everyone see and hear you? Did you exercise the required caution?Did you exercise the required caution?

DAILY POSTDAILY POSTFAMILY OF THREE FATALLY INJURED FAMILY OF THREE FATALLY INJURED

IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A FIRE DEPARTMENT APPARATUSFIRE DEPARTMENT APPARATUS

POLICE STATE THAT CHARGES ARE POLICE STATE THAT CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST THE DRIVER PENDING AGAINST THE DRIVER

OF THE FIRE TRUCK.OF THE FIRE TRUCK.

Will you be the first that this applies Will you be the first that this applies to?to?

Bad Things Can Happen To Bad Things Can Happen To Good PeopleGood People

All It Takes Is A Split Second All It Takes Is A Split Second Of Bad JudgmentOf Bad Judgment

Don’t Be Another Don’t Be Another StatisticStatistic

Law of Lug nuts Law of Lug nuts

The More Lug Nuts You The More Lug Nuts You Have Means, More Have Means, More

DAMAGE !!!!!!!DAMAGE !!!!!!!

In 2005 a total of 15,885 accidents In 2005 a total of 15,885 accidents involving fire apparatus were involving fire apparatus were reported nationwide.reported nationwide.

These accidents resulted in 1,120 These accidents resulted in 1,120 firefighter injuries.firefighter injuries.

23 firefighters lost their lives in these 23 firefighters lost their lives in these accidents.accidents.

26 innocent citizens lost their lives in 26 innocent citizens lost their lives in these accidents as well.these accidents as well.

Legal AspectsLegal Aspects

If you are involved in an accident and If you are involved in an accident and charges are brought against you, will charges are brought against you, will you be given legal representation by you be given legal representation by

the County?the County?

Officer and Employee Defense and Officer and Employee Defense and Indemnification PlanIndemnification Plan

This plan establishes the terms and This plan establishes the terms and conditions under which Gwinnett conditions under which Gwinnett

County shall undertake to defend all County shall undertake to defend all specified civil, criminal, or quasi-specified civil, criminal, or quasi-criminal actions brought against criminal actions brought against

supervisors, employees, supervisors, employees, administrators, or any appointed or administrators, or any appointed or elected officers, arising out of the elected officers, arising out of the

performance of their official duties.performance of their official duties.

Section 8 – Exclusion, grounds for refusal of Section 8 – Exclusion, grounds for refusal of defense and termination of coveragedefense and termination of coverage

The County may refuse to provide for the The County may refuse to provide for the defense of a claim or proceeding brought defense of a claim or proceeding brought against any plan member if the County against any plan member if the County Attorney determines that the claim or Attorney determines that the claim or proceeding against the plan member arises proceeding against the plan member arises out of such plan member’s intentional or out of such plan member’s intentional or knowing violation of a written policy of the knowing violation of a written policy of the Commission, a Department of the County Commission, a Department of the County Government, and/or the County Government, and/or the County Administrator, where applicable.Administrator, where applicable.

Vehicle Operations SOPsVehicle Operations SOPs111.000-Emergency Response111.000-Emergency Response

All Department vehicles and apparatus All Department vehicles and apparatus will be operated with consideration for will be operated with consideration for traffic conditions, weather, and type of traffic conditions, weather, and type of thoroughfare or roadway, and all other thoroughfare or roadway, and all other existing conditions that may affect safe existing conditions that may affect safe vehicle operations. Vehicle speed shall vehicle operations. Vehicle speed shall be dependent upon these factors as well be dependent upon these factors as well as the limitations of the apparatus and as the limitations of the apparatus and abilities of the operator with due regard abilities of the operator with due regard for safety as top priority.for safety as top priority.

When responding Code 1 to an When responding Code 1 to an emergency, the following restrictions emergency, the following restrictions will apply:will apply:

• The driver/operator will use both The driver/operator will use both audible and visual emergency warning audible and visual emergency warning devices, including lights and sirens.devices, including lights and sirens.

• The vehicle/apparatus will be brought The vehicle/apparatus will be brought to a complete stop at all red traffic to a complete stop at all red traffic lights and stop signs.lights and stop signs.

• The posted speed limit will be The posted speed limit will be observed when entering an observed when entering an intersection with a green light intersection with a green light visible.visible.

• The vehicle will slow to a speed of The vehicle will slow to a speed of not more than five (5) miles per hour not more than five (5) miles per hour when entering an intersection when entering an intersection controlled by a yield right-of-way controlled by a yield right-of-way sign only.sign only.

• At no time will the operator proceed At no time will the operator proceed through an intersection until he/she has through an intersection until he/she has looked in all directions and determined that looked in all directions and determined that it is safe to proceed. While proceeding it is safe to proceed. While proceeding through the intersection, both the operator through the intersection, both the operator and the officer (where applicable) shall be and the officer (where applicable) shall be on the alert for approaching or turning on the alert for approaching or turning vehicles, other emergency vehicles, vehicles, other emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and any other hazard that pedestrians, and any other hazard that could compromise safety.could compromise safety.

• The vehicle will be brought to a The vehicle will be brought to a complete stop at all intersections that complete stop at all intersections that are visibly obstructed in any manner – are visibly obstructed in any manner – i.e. buildings, other vehicles, trees, or i.e. buildings, other vehicles, trees, or shrubbery, etc.shrubbery, etc.

• Overtaking another vehicle moving in Overtaking another vehicle moving in the same direction should be done with the same direction should be done with extreme caution. This should be extreme caution. This should be accomplished by passing the upcoming accomplished by passing the upcoming vehicle on the left whenever possible.vehicle on the left whenever possible.

• Extreme caution will be exercised when Extreme caution will be exercised when traveling in the opposite traffic flow traveling in the opposite traffic flow lanes.lanes.

• The vehicle will be brought to a complete The vehicle will be brought to a complete stop at all unguarded railroad crossings stop at all unguarded railroad crossings to ensure a safe crossing can be made. to ensure a safe crossing can be made. The operator will obey crossing signals The operator will obey crossing signals at all times and the vehicle will not be at all times and the vehicle will not be driven around crossing gates under any driven around crossing gates under any circumstances.circumstances.

• The posted, reduced speed limits for The posted, reduced speed limits for school zones will be observed during school zones will be observed during hours of operation.hours of operation.

• Operators will bring the vehicle to a Operators will bring the vehicle to a complete stop whenever complete stop whenever encountering a stopped school bus encountering a stopped school bus with flashing warning lights and will with flashing warning lights and will not proceed until it is confirmed safe not proceed until it is confirmed safe to do so; to do so;

……. it will be considered safe to proceed . it will be considered safe to proceed once the bus driver has ceased operating once the bus driver has ceased operating the flashing lights or should the bus the flashing lights or should the bus driver signal it is safe to proceed.driver signal it is safe to proceed.

• A distance of 300-500 feet should be A distance of 300-500 feet should be maintained between emergency vehicles maintained between emergency vehicles if responding together along the same if responding together along the same route. In congested areas or when route. In congested areas or when encountering heavy traffic, this minimum encountering heavy traffic, this minimum distance may be impossible to maintain.distance may be impossible to maintain.

……Always maintain adequate distance Always maintain adequate distance to avoid rear-end collisions.to avoid rear-end collisions.

• Always maintain an operating space Always maintain an operating space in front of the vehicle that is at least in front of the vehicle that is at least equal to the minimum travel equal to the minimum travel distance necessary to stop the distance necessary to stop the vehicle without contacting another vehicle without contacting another object.object.

• The vehicle/apparatus will follow the The vehicle/apparatus will follow the safest most expeditious route safest most expeditious route whenever possible. Also, it is whenever possible. Also, it is important to be aware that important to be aware that unnecessary route of travel through unnecessary route of travel through congested or heavily populated congested or heavily populated areas, such as subdivisions, should areas, such as subdivisions, should be avoided whenever possible.be avoided whenever possible.

• The location and response route of The location and response route of emergency vehicles will be updated via emergency vehicles will be updated via radio communications any time there is a radio communications any time there is a possibility that emergency vehicles possibility that emergency vehicles routes could intersect during an routes could intersect during an emergency response.emergency response.

The proceeding guidelines, along with The proceeding guidelines, along with adequate training and experience of the adequate training and experience of the vehicle operator, will ensure a safe vehicle operator, will ensure a safe response to the scene of any emergency.response to the scene of any emergency.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Defensive driving means doing everything reasonably possible to avoid being involved in a preventable accident, regardless of what the law is, what the other driver does, or adverse weather conditions.

A preventable accident is one in which the driver fails to take reasonable precautions and/or evasive actions to avoid the accident.

Defensive driving requires continual exercise of good judgment and good driving habits with an awareness that all drivers cannot be relied upon to drive properly and safely.

ELEMENTS OF DEFENSIVE DRIVING KNOWLEDGE - The operator must know the

rules of the road, be aware of the proper procedures for passing, yielding the right-of-way, and other maneuvers. In addition, they must know their own limitations, the vehicle’s limitations, and limitations imposed by the environment such as traffic and weather conditions.

ALERTNESS – The emergency vehicle operator must develop his/her powers of observation to be fully aware of what is happening. The driver must be alert to potential hazards, and to changing weather and driving conditions.

VISION – A driver should “aim high” by raising his/her field of vision to at least one-quarter mile ahead to observe potential hazards. As speed increases, visual acuity, peripheral vision, and depth perception all deteriorate.

JUDGMENT – The emergency vehicle operator must know what to do and when to do it……every time!!!!

STAY CALM – It is critically important that the emergency vehicle operator remain calm and drive in a safe manner. Reckless driving, even in response to an emergency, is never acceptable. The driver who drives in an aggressive manner, failing to observe safety precautions, is a menace to other vehicles, pedestrians, and other firefighters in the vehicle.

SKILL – The emergency vehicle operator must have a good basic knowledge of how to handle the vehicle. Skill is the result of proper training plus practice.

Remember – if you try to drive like a veteran, you may not be around long enough to be a veteran.

Defensive Driving Defensive Driving TechniquesTechniques

Anticipating Other Driver’s ReactionsAnticipating Other Driver’s Reactions

Always anticipate what other drivers Always anticipate what other drivers will do but never assume they will will do but never assume they will react in the appropriate manner. Just react in the appropriate manner. Just the sound of a siren may cause some the sound of a siren may cause some people to panic and pull into your people to panic and pull into your path or stop in front of you. Always path or stop in front of you. Always negotiate intersections in a very negotiate intersections in a very cautious manner.cautious manner.

Anticipating Other Driver’s ReactionsAnticipating Other Driver’s Reactions

Always anticipate what other drivers Always anticipate what other drivers will do but never assume they will will do but never assume they will react in the appropriate manner. Just react in the appropriate manner. Just the sound of a siren may cause some the sound of a siren may cause some people to panic and pull into your people to panic and pull into your path or stop in front of you. Always path or stop in front of you. Always negotiate intersections in a very negotiate intersections in a very cautious manner.cautious manner.

Light & Sirens

Just because you know all your lights are on and the sirens are in use, do not assume everyone can see and hear you. Many accidents have been caused by over-reliance on warning devices.

Expect the unexpected!!!!

Defensive Driving Control Defensive Driving Control FactorsFactors

Aim high in steering – Find a safe Aim high in steering – Find a safe path well ahead of you. The faster path well ahead of you. The faster you are going, the further ahead you you are going, the further ahead you MUST look down the roadway. Too MUST look down the roadway. Too many vehicle operators drive by only many vehicle operators drive by only observing a few hundred feet ahead observing a few hundred feet ahead of the apparatus.of the apparatus.


Get the big picture / Stay back and Get the big picture / Stay back and see it all – Our traffic congestion see it all – Our traffic congestion gets worse almost every day. Never gets worse almost every day. Never push your position by forgetting to push your position by forgetting to adjust your speed based upon traffic adjust your speed based upon traffic and weather conditions. Anticipate and weather conditions. Anticipate stops and turns by analyzing traffic stops and turns by analyzing traffic conditions well ahead of you.conditions well ahead of you.


Keep your eyes moving – Always Keep your eyes moving – Always scan your mirrors and observe what scan your mirrors and observe what is going on all around your is going on all around your apparatus. Focusing only on the area apparatus. Focusing only on the area in front of the apparatus could be a in front of the apparatus could be a very deadly mistake.very deadly mistake.


Leave your self a way “out” – By Leave your self a way “out” – By always being prepared for the always being prepared for the unexpected, there is less of a chance unexpected, there is less of a chance the need will arise for a last resort the need will arise for a last resort maneuver such as evasive steering maneuver such as evasive steering or emergency braking. Either can or emergency braking. Either can make for a VERY bad day.make for a VERY bad day.


Make sure others can see and hear Make sure others can see and hear you – Use ALL your warning devices. you – Use ALL your warning devices. They have been placed on the They have been placed on the apparatus for a purpose. A siren will apparatus for a purpose. A siren will do you no good if it isn’t used do you no good if it isn’t used properly.properly.

VISUAL LEAD-TIME

Visual lead-time is directly proportional to the speed you are traveling and the amount of time required to stop the vehicle. The faster you are traveling, the further you should be scanning the roadway due to the additional distance needed to stop. If visibility is poor, slow your speed to compensate.

Braking and Reaction Time/Distance

The average reaction time for an unimpaired driver is approximately ¾ of a second. At 45 miles per hour, you would travel an additional 50 feet before the braking maneuver begins. At 60 miles per hour, this distance increases to 66 feet. Remember, this distance is traveled before your foot can move to the brake pedal.

Braking and Reaction Braking and Reaction Time/DistanceTime/Distance

Once the brakes have been applied at 45 Once the brakes have been applied at 45 miles per hour, it takes another 210 feet miles per hour, it takes another 210 feet to stop, making the total stopping to stop, making the total stopping distance at 45 miles per hour 260 feet.distance at 45 miles per hour 260 feet.

At 60 miles per hour, the braking distance is At 60 miles per hour, the braking distance is increased to 370 feet and the total increased to 370 feet and the total stopping distance is 436 feet.stopping distance is 436 feet.

Several Factors Affect Your Ability To Several Factors Affect Your Ability To StopStop

Weight of the vehicle – know your apparatusWeight of the vehicle – know your apparatusCondition of the roadway – Is it wet, dry, smooth Condition of the roadway – Is it wet, dry, smooth surface or rough surface?surface or rough surface?Condition of the tires – A thorough daily Condition of the tires – A thorough daily checkout could detect safety defects.checkout could detect safety defects.Condition of the braking system – If the vehicle Condition of the braking system – If the vehicle does not stop properly, it should be out-of-does not stop properly, it should be out-of-service.service.Speed being traveled – Does faster really pay Speed being traveled – Does faster really pay off?off?

What Causes Skids?

Failure to properly appreciate shifting weights of heavy apparatus

Improper use of auxiliary braking devices Driving too fast for road conditions Failure to anticipate obstacles Improper maintenance of tires and tire

pressure Lack of knowledge of preventing skids

from occurring

Controlling A Skid

Should you find yourself going into a skid, let off the accelerator, release the brakes, slightly turn into the direction of the skid and again lightly apply the brakes. A hard braking maneuver during a skid will do nothing but make the skid worse and harder to overcome.

Braking – ABS braking Systems

Antilock braking systems make all vehicles safer and easier to stop. During braking applying a firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal allows the on-board ABS computer to sense a locked wheel within milliseconds. NEVER pump ABS brakes.

Braking – Non-ABS Braking Systems

Some older apparatus are not equipped with ABS, therefore, should a wheel lock-up without ABS brakes, release the brakes allowing the wheels to again turn causing rolling friction. Then apply threshold braking until the vehicle is brought under control.

Brake FadeBrake Fade

All our apparatus older than 1997 have All our apparatus older than 1997 have disc brakes. Brake fade is less likely on disc brakes. Brake fade is less likely on this type of braking system. All apparatus this type of braking system. All apparatus 1997 and newer have drum brakes. 1997 and newer have drum brakes. Brake fade is more likely with drum Brake fade is more likely with drum brakes because more of the braking brakes because more of the braking surface (90%) is used and as a result, surface (90%) is used and as a result, brake surfaces get hotter much faster.brake surfaces get hotter much faster.

During brake fade the brake drum will overheat During brake fade the brake drum will overheat and expand. When this happens less of the and expand. When this happens less of the drum area is in contact with the brake shoes. drum area is in contact with the brake shoes. Each repeated stopping distance will increase Each repeated stopping distance will increase – sometimes dramatically. By anticipating stops – sometimes dramatically. By anticipating stops well ahead of time, we can help eliminate well ahead of time, we can help eliminate heavy stopping maneuvers and brake fade. heavy stopping maneuvers and brake fade. Brake fade at best is scary, at worst it is deadly.Brake fade at best is scary, at worst it is deadly.

MOMENTUM AND MOMENTUM AND INERTIAINERTIA

MomentumMomentum is the speed of a vehicle’s is the speed of a vehicle’s mass X its velocity. Momentum is the mass X its velocity. Momentum is the actions of a moving vehicle.actions of a moving vehicle.

InertiaInertia is the force that makes a is the force that makes a moving vehicle tend to stay in motion moving vehicle tend to stay in motion in the same direction. As momentum in the same direction. As momentum increases, it is more difficult to increases, it is more difficult to overcome the effects of inertia.overcome the effects of inertia.

CENTRIFUGAL FORCECENTRIFUGAL FORCE

Centrifugal forceCentrifugal force is the force that is the force that tends to push a vehicle traveling tends to push a vehicle traveling around a curve away from the center around a curve away from the center of the turning radius. of the turning radius. Centrifugal Centrifugal forceforce is influenced by both speed and is influenced by both speed and the radius of the curve. The higher the radius of the curve. The higher the speed, the greater the centrifugal the speed, the greater the centrifugal force. The tighter the curve, the force. The tighter the curve, the greater the centrifugal force.greater the centrifugal force.

WEIGHT TRANSFERWEIGHT TRANSFER

Weight transferWeight transfer is the shifting of the is the shifting of the vehicle’s weight every time a vehicle vehicle’s weight every time a vehicle accelerates, decelerates, or changes accelerates, decelerates, or changes directions. When a vehicle “leans” directions. When a vehicle “leans” while going through a curve, inertia while going through a curve, inertia and centrifugal force are both at and centrifugal force are both at work causing vehicle weight work causing vehicle weight transfer.transfer.

NIGHT VISIONNIGHT VISION

• Night vision can vary greatly from person Night vision can vary greatly from person to person.to person.

• Less light at night obviously makes good Less light at night obviously makes good vision more difficult.vision more difficult.

• Flashes of bright light can diminish night Flashes of bright light can diminish night vision.vision.

• Dirty windshields and mirrors will lower Dirty windshields and mirrors will lower night vision even more.night vision even more.

ADVERSE WEATHER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONSCONDITIONS

• Approximately six times more people are killed Approximately six times more people are killed on wet roads than on snow or ice covered on wet roads than on snow or ice covered roads combined.roads combined.

• The first 30 minutes after rain begins is the The first 30 minutes after rain begins is the most hazardous time to be driving on wet most hazardous time to be driving on wet roadways.roadways.

• Avoid sudden moves with the steering wheel, Avoid sudden moves with the steering wheel, brakes, and accelerator.brakes, and accelerator.

• In extremely heavy rainfall, occasionally tap the In extremely heavy rainfall, occasionally tap the brakes to make sure they are not grabbing or brakes to make sure they are not grabbing or pulling.pulling.


• Make sure tires are inflated properly.Make sure tires are inflated properly.• Keep the windshield clear at all times.Keep the windshield clear at all times.• Verify that all traction devices are Verify that all traction devices are

functioning properly.functioning properly.• Be aware of temperature decreases to Be aware of temperature decreases to

lessen the unexpected encountering of lessen the unexpected encountering of “black ice.”“black ice.”

• Leave extra stopping distances.Leave extra stopping distances.


• Always drive with low beams on during Always drive with low beams on during adverse weather.adverse weather.

• It takes 3 – 15 times farther to stop on It takes 3 – 15 times farther to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.snow and ice than on dry pavement.

• Slow down and drive cautiously!!!Slow down and drive cautiously!!!

EVASIVE STEERINGEVASIVE STEERING

Evasive steeringEvasive steering means a sudden or means a sudden or extreme change in the vehicle’s direction. extreme change in the vehicle’s direction.

If this maneuver is required, consider the If this maneuver is required, consider the following:following:

• Can the vehicle be safely steered off the Can the vehicle be safely steered off the right or left side of the roadway?right or left side of the roadway?

• Are there any obstacles on the roadway?Are there any obstacles on the roadway?

• Are there any oncoming vehicles?Are there any oncoming vehicles?

EVASIVE STEERINGEVASIVE STEERING

• How stable is the road surface and is it How stable is the road surface and is it likely to contribute to loss of control?likely to contribute to loss of control?

By utilizing one of the basics of defensive By utilizing one of the basics of defensive driving – driving – looking well aheadlooking well ahead – this critical – this critical

maneuver can be made easier and safer maneuver can be made easier and safer or avoided all together.or avoided all together.

AUXILIARY BRAKING AUXILIARY BRAKING DEVICESDEVICES

NFPA 1901 requires that all fire NFPA 1901 requires that all fire apparatus with a GVWR above 36,000 apparatus with a GVWR above 36,000

lbs. be equipped with an approved lbs. be equipped with an approved auxiliary braking device. All our fire auxiliary braking device. All our fire apparatus 2001 and newer also have apparatus 2001 and newer also have

this device interfaced with the this device interfaced with the transmission. This causes a transmission. This causes a

downward shift in the transmission downward shift in the transmission when the device activates.when the device activates.

JACOBS BRAKEJACOBS BRAKE

The jake brake is a device that is The jake brake is a device that is mounted on the overhead of the mounted on the overhead of the engine and basically turns the action engine and basically turns the action of the exhaust valves into a giant of the exhaust valves into a giant compressor.compressor.

The higher the horsepower and rpm The higher the horsepower and rpm the greater the effect of the jake the greater the effect of the jake brake.brake.

JACOBS BRAKEJACOBS BRAKE

It is hydraulically operated with It is hydraulically operated with essentially no moving parts.essentially no moving parts.

It is very ineffective on trucks when It is very ineffective on trucks when it does not downshift the it does not downshift the transmission.transmission.

Average cost installed - $3,000 - Average cost installed - $3,000 - $5,000.$5,000.

TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION RETARDERRETARDER

This device is an integral part of the This device is an integral part of the transmission.transmission.

It is an output retarder and is It is an output retarder and is mounted on the rear of the mounted on the rear of the transmission and is silent in transmission and is silent in operation.operation.

Retarder chamber fills with Retarder chamber fills with hydraulic fluid when activated.hydraulic fluid when activated.

TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION RETARDERRETARDER

50% activation is achieved when the 50% activation is achieved when the foot is removed from the accelerator. foot is removed from the accelerator. The remaining 50% is achieved The remaining 50% is achieved when the brake is applied.when the brake is applied.

Can cause extreme transmission Can cause extreme transmission overheating.overheating.

Price installed is $5,000 - $7,000.Price installed is $5,000 - $7,000.

ELECTROMAGNETIC ELECTROMAGNETIC RETARDER (TELMA)RETARDER (TELMA)

Installed directly on the driveline Installed directly on the driveline behind the transmission.behind the transmission.

Uses electromagnetic current to Uses electromagnetic current to slow the driveline and is silent in slow the driveline and is silent in operation.operation.

Initially activates when the foot is Initially activates when the foot is removed from the accelerator.removed from the accelerator.

Initial activation is 25%.Initial activation is 25%.

ELECTROMAGNETIC ELECTROMAGNETIC RETARDER (TELMA)RETARDER (TELMA)

Activation is dependent upon brake Activation is dependent upon brake pedal pressure. The harder the pedal pedal pressure. The harder the pedal is depressed, the greater the is depressed, the greater the stopping power.stopping power.

Cost installed is $10,000 - $14,000.Cost installed is $10,000 - $14,000.

Cost of Life: PricelessCost of Life: Priceless

ALL auxiliary braking ALL auxiliary braking devices must be turned devices must be turned off when traveling on off when traveling on wet or slick roadways.wet or slick roadways.

Documents

Relief Driver Certification COURSE OBJECTIVES Provide students with the ability to safely and effectively operate fire apparatus under various emergency