New Driver Training

Updated 3/09/00

  1. During the six-month probationary period, new members may only be trained and authorized to drive Rescue 1 and/or Ambulances.
  2. After having completed the probationary period, all trainees are allowed take part in individual training to drive and operate all department apparatus.
  3. The first step in the process is to acquire a document entitled "Driver Training Log" from any officer or any of the Driver Trainers.

    The Driver Training Log will be stored in a file cabinet where Driver Training Coordinators, Driver Trainers and the Trainee have access to it. Trainees are encouraged to make copies of their log in case it is misplaced.

    Any time a trainee drives a vehicle, the date and approximate driving time will be logged on the Driver Training Log and signed by the trainer. The trainee must also put an entry in the vehicles log book.

    When a trainee has completed training on a vehicle and has been authorized, the trainees log will be marked with the words "Authorized to Drive" followed by the Vehicle name and the name of person who authorized the trainee.
  4. The next step is to be trained and authorized to drive Rescue 1. To do this a trainee should contact any officer, or any of the Driver Trainers. Any officer or any of the Driver Trainers may train and Authorize a trainee to drive Rescue 1
  5. A Driver Training Coordinator and an Assistant Driver Training Coordinator exist to oversee and help trainees through the rest of the process. They are listed at the end of this document. There are two levels of trainers they are "Primary Driver Trainer" and "Secondary Driver Trainer".

    A Primary Driver Trainer is a member of the department who has extensive experience as a truck driver. Driver Trainees will only drive with Primary Driver Trainers until a Primary Driver Trainer has determined that the trainee is ready to drive with Secondary Driver Trainers. The Primary Driver Trainer will then sign the trainees Driver Training Log to that effect.

    A Secondary Driver Trainer is someone who has been authorized by the Driver Training Coordinator to help trainees sharpen their driving skills. They are licensed drivers with adequate experience to continue training individuals after they have developed a solid Driver training foundation. The Driver Training Coordinator keeps a list of Secondary Driver Trainers on file. Secondary Driver Trainers may be authorized to train on a single Truck or multiple trucks according to their experience and capabilities.
  6. The next step is to be trained and receive a New Hampshire Driver's License for Engine 3. After a trainee has been authorized to drive Rescue 1, and is ready to continue the training process, the trainee should contact either of the two coordinators. They will help schedule a training session with a Primary Driver Trainer. A trainee will only drive with a Primary Driver Trainer until it has been determined that the trainee has acquired enough skills to be allowed to train with Secondary Driver Trainers. The trainee's Driver Training Log will be noted and signed to that effect.
  7. A Coordinator will help the trainee schedule more training time with either a Primary Driver Trainer or a Secondary Driver Trainer. The trainee will continue training until the trainee feels ready to take the State of New Hampshire Driver's test in Engine 3. The Trainee will then go through a mock test with a Primary Driver Trainer. When both a Primary Driver Trainer and the trainee feel the trainee is ready, Engine 3 will be made available to the trainee for the test date.
  8. After receiving a New Hampshire Driver's license, a trainee is still not authorized to drive the vehicle. The trainee must then be trained to operate all of the equipment on the piece of apparatus and be authorized by the Mechanical Operations Trainer. When that has happened the trainee's Driver Training Log will be noted and signed to that effect.
  9. A similar process must be followed for the larger pieces of apparatus:
    A. Drive with a Primary Driver Trainer until approved for Secondary Driver Trainers
    B. Drive Secondary Driver Trainers until the trainee is ready for Authorization.
  10. There are two steps to being authorized to Drive Tank 1, Tank 2, and Ladder 1. First the Assistant Fire Chief must determined that they are ready to operate the vehicle on the road and sign the trainee's Driver Training Log. Secondly, the Mechanical Operations Trainer must determine that the trainee is competent to operate all of the equipment on the piece of apparatus and sign the trainee's Driver Training Log.
  11. The Driver Training Log is part of an individual's department record and will be kept on file.

As of 3/9/2000:

Driver Training Coordinator

Lt. Cliff Cray

Assistant Driver Training Coordinator

FF Peter Felch

Primary Driver Trainers

 
 

Lt. Cliff Cray

 

FF John Bertogli

 

Capt. Matt Cray

 

FF Kevin Zukas

 

Lt. Hank Letourneau

Secondary Driver Trainers

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Mechanical Operations Trainer

FF Kevin Zukas