Emergency Vehicle Operator (PILOT)
Instructional Hours: 24.00
Course Objective: To provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to safely operate an emergency vehicle. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to describe the major concepts of emergency vehicle driving including safety, legal issues, communications, vehicle inspection and preparation, physical forces affecting driving and the operation of an emergency vehicle; and demonstrate basic competency as a driver of an emergency vehicle.
Course Description: Major topics covered in this course are safe driving and collision avoidance, Maryland motor vehicle statutes, route selection and communications, vehicle inspection and driving preparation, physical forces affecting driving, lights and sirens, basic control tasks, urban driving, negotiating intersections and turnarounds, following and passing vehicles, high-speed driving, dealing with adverse conditions and contingencies, and emergency parking. Methods of instruction include lecture, discussion and practical skills exercises.
Successful Completion: Students must attend required classroom sessions, complete all assigned online and classroom activities and homework assignments, demonstrate proficiency in the practical skills evolutions and obtain a score of 70% or better on the written and practical examinations. This course partially satisfies the professional certification requirements for Fire Apparatus Vehicle Driver/Operator - Pump, Fire Apparatus Vehicle Driver/Operator - Aerial, Fire Apparatus Vehicle Driver/Operator - Tiller, Fire Apparatus Vehicle Driver/Operator - Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Apparatus and Fire Apparatus Vehicle Driver/Operator - Mobile Water Supply.
Prerequisites
A current valid Maryland Driver's License or equivalent AND a letter from the Fire Chief of the Department giving the student permission to drive the department's apparatus in the course.