New Hackensack Fire District
Rules and Regulations
SECTION V
50.000 DRIVERS
50.010 Only authorized drivers and supervised trainees may operate any fire district apparatus.
50.011 All drivers shall be familiar with the apparatus response to all types of alarms.
50.013 Officers are not to drive any fire apparatus to an emergency, if there is a qualified driver available. If a qualified driver is not available, the officer’s discretion should prevail on the amount of waiting time before he drives to an emergency. In general, this decision shall be based on potentially critical life safety conditions known at the time of dispatch.
50.014 It is highly recommended that all drivers review the operation of the pumps and equipment. It is also recommended that drivers conduct actual road tests for practice and continue familiarity in driving.
50.015 In the absence of an Officer, it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that all Firefighters are seated in proper locations before the apparatus responds. Safety restraining devices shall be used by all personnel riding on the apparatus.
50.016 The first drivers at the fire station should be sure of the location of the incident and what apparatus is to respond.
50.017 All drivers are to respond to the fire station upon the sounding of an alarm, unless they definitely know that all required apparatus has responded.
50.018 Apparatus equipped with air braking systems, shall have a min. of 90 PSI of pressure in the air system before moving.
50.019 ALL apparatus should exit the building at a slow idle and come to a FULL STOP before entering the traffic flow on Myers Corners Road.
50.020 Following all emergencies, road tests, drivers training, etc, it is the driver’s responsibility to insure the apparatus is clean and ready to respond to an alarm.
50.021 It is the driver’s responsibility to refuel apparatus if the apparatus is below 3/4 level upon returning from and alarm, driver training, or non-emergency function.
50.022 To remain an approved driver on any piece of fire apparatus you must demonstrate proficiency in the operations of all the apparatus which you are qualified on a yearly basis.
50.023 Dutchess
County Bureau Department of Emergency Response (KED‑348Dutchess
911) shall be notified only when a piece of apparatus is taken "out of
service" for repairs, not for drivers training, obtaining gas, etc.
50.030 Authorization for driver can only be done upon recommendation by the Chief of the Department to the members of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Before the Chief can recommend the candidate, the member must meet all standards set forth under the operating procedures for drivers.
50.031 Candidates for driver shall be appointed for their driving and mechanical abilities and shall be thoroughly familiar with the operation of the equipment and the apparatus. No driver will be accepted who possesses a bad driving record.
50.032 To become an approved apparatus driver the candidates must meet the following requirements:
A. ENGINES
1. Minimum age requirement of 23 years of age.
2. Must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year.
3. Must have a valid NYS operator’s license.
4. Must have attended and completed the NYS Basic Firefighter and Pump Operators courses
5. Must have attended and completed the EVOC Drivers Course.
6. Must have driving and pump operation experience.
B. TANKERS
1. Minimum age requirement of 21 years of age.
2. Must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year.
3. Must have a valid NYS operator’s license.
4. Must have attended and completed the NYS Basic Firefighter and Pump Operators courses.
5. Must have attended and completed the EVOC Drivers Course.
6. Must have driving and pump operation experience.
C. RESCUE
1. Minimum age requirement of 21 years of age.
2. Must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year. Must have a valid NYS operator’s license.
4. Must have attended and completed the NYS Basic Firefighter course.
5. Must have attended and completed the EVOC Drivers Course.
6. Must have driving experience and knowledge of the location and operation of the equipment carried on the apparatus.
D. UTILITY
1. Minimum age requirement of 18 years of age.
2. Must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year.
3. Must have a valid NYS operator’s license.
4. Must have attended and completed the NYS Basic Firefighter Course.
5. Must have attended and completed the EVOC Drivers Course.
6. Must have driving experience and a working knowledge of the small pump operation.
E. EQUIPMENT VEHICLE
1. Minimum age requirement of 18 years of age.
2. Must have been an active member in good standing for a minimum of one (1) year.
1.
Must have a valid NYS
operator’s license.
4. Must have attended and completed the NYS Basic Firefighter Course.
4. Must have attended and completed the EVOC Drivers Course.
5. Must have CPR certification.
6. Must have driving experience including 4-wheel drive.
F. CHIEFS CARS
May be operated by any New Hackensack Firefighter over 18 years of age with a valid NYS operator’s license with the appointed Chief Officer's approval.
50.040 When responding to all emergencies, drivers shall observe speed limits, which are consistent with safety considering traffic, weather, and road conditions. Special care shall be taken when approaching intersections, all warning lights and siren shall be operating, with apparatus kept under control at all times. At no time shall the apparatus be driven faster than the state speed limit of 55.
50.041 When responding to an emergency incident one piece of apparatus shall call out for as many as possible.
50.042 Only the first piece of apparatus (not including Chief's vehicles) shall call on the scene and give a brief progress report to Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response (Dutchess 911). No other responding apparatus needs to call on the scene of the incident.
50.043 It is recommended that, whenever possible, apparatus shall not leave the fire station when responding to an incident with driver only.
50.050 The driver who operates the first engine to arrive on the scene of an alarm is in command until he transfers command to a qualified firefighter or until relieved by a line officer. His primary responsibility is for life safety for all parties.
50.051 It shall be the responsibility of the driver for the safe placement of the apparatus at the scene of an emergency. Caution shall be used at all times while apparatus is moving on and off the fire ground.
50.052 The driver in command should attempt to get another driver to relieve him at the pump so that he can devote his energies to fire ground operations.
50.053 Based on his observations of the incident, the driver in command must make decisions and commit his forces.
50.054 The driver in command shall not hesitate to call mutual aid apparatus for assistance if, in his opinion, it is needed.
50.055 All drivers shall stay with their apparatus and keep track of what equipment has been removed at an incident scene.
50.060 On return to the Ain service, in quarters@ status, the driver shall inspect the apparatus and equipment. Any serious faults should be immediately made known to the Maintenance Chief. In the absence of the Maintenance Chief, the officer in charge shall carry out necessary repairs.
50.070 If an alarm should sound while an apparatus is being used for driver training, the apparatus must be turned over to a qualified driver who will proceed to the scene of the incident, or to quarters, as required.
50.071 When out on driver training it shall be marked on the apparatus status board that the piece of apparatus is out on driver training. Discretion shall be used on driver training and road tests during inclement weather.
50.072 There will be NO driver training after 10:00 PM, unless authorized by a Chief Officer.
50.073 Driver training on Utility 3 in 4‑wheel drive is to be done by individuals only during their initial training or when authorized by a Chief, and shall never be done during the hours of darkness, and only on a prescribed route.
50.074 Prior to, and directly after, driver training the apparatus must be inspected for any damage or lost equipment. If damage has occurred during a driver training exercise it must be reported to a Chief officer immediately, and shall be noted in the station log.
50.075 During driver training all rules and regulations designated for drivers remain in effect.
50.080 All approved drivers shall immediately inform the Chief of the Department in the event their regular NYS driver's license is suspended or revoked for any reason, and upon such suspension or revocation the approval to drive shall automatically be revoked. The volunteer firefighter shall not drive any emergency vehicle of the fire district, until reinstated by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
50.090 The chiefs= vehicles may be used by the chiefs for personal business; however, they may not leave the county without prior approval of the Board of Fire Commissioners, unless it is for official district business. The district will furnish fuel for all three chiefs vehicles.
50.091 Fire district apparatus, other than chiefs= cars, are not to leave the district without prior approval of the Board of Fire Commissioners with the exception of calls for mutual aid assistance and for drills with neighboring fire departments. At no time shall both tankers leave the district for a drill; one must always be in service for the district.