Definitions

Apparatus

Any [DEPARTMENT NAME] vehicle, including engines, tankers/tenders, ladders, rescues, brush trucks, command vehicles, utilities, and personal vehicles authorized for emergency response.

Emergency Response

Operation of apparatus with emergency lights and siren in use, in response to a reported emergency.

Due Regard

The legal standard requiring emergency vehicle operators to drive with regard for the safety of all persons, even when exemptions apply. Due regard is the basis for almost every LODD crash lawsuit.

Driver Operator

A member qualified under this policy to operate a particular class of apparatus.

Purpose

To reduce injuries, fatalities, and damage resulting from operation of [DEPARTMENT NAME] apparatus by establishing consistent rules governing who may drive, how apparatus is driven, and how driver qualification is verified.

Scope

Applies to every member of [DEPARTMENT NAME] operating a department vehicle, whether in emergency or non-emergency mode, for operational, training, administrative, or personal-authorized-use purposes.

Driver Qualification

1. Members must hold a valid state driver's license of the appropriate class for the apparatus being driven.
2. Members must complete a department driver training program including classroom instruction and supervised behind-the-wheel training.
3. Training must meet or exceed NFPA 1002 (Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications) for each class of apparatus operated.
4. Members must pass a documented practical skills evaluation before operating apparatus unsupervised.
5. Driver qualifications are reviewed annually, after any at-fault incident, and after any absence from driving of more than 12 months.

Pre-Trip Inspection

• A full pre-trip inspection is completed at the start of every shift and before every response.
• Critical items: brakes, lights, siren, tires, fluid levels, air system, emergency signaling equipment, mobile radio function.
• Deficiencies are documented and reported. Apparatus with safety-related deficiencies is taken out of service.

Seatbelt Use

• Every member, every trip, every time. Seatbelts are worn whenever the apparatus is in motion, without exception.
• Apparatus does not move from stopped position until all occupants are seated and belted, confirmed verbally by the driver.
• Members do not stand on or ride the back step, tailboard, or any position not designed for travel.

Emergency Response Driving

1. Emergency response is initiated only when authorized by dispatch or by incident command.
2. Emergency lights and siren are used together in all emergency response. Lights alone are not sufficient warning.
3. Posted speed limits may be exceeded only when conditions permit safe operation. The maximum allowed exceedance is [e.g., 10 mph over posted or a department-defined cap — insert policy value].
4. At controlled intersections (stop signs, red lights), emergency vehicles must come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe to do so, lane by lane. Treat every intersection as if no one can see you.
5. When passing stopped traffic, do so only with extreme caution, and never in a lane where a driver might pull into your path.
6. Railroad crossings: come to a complete stop, siren off, windows down, listen and look. Proceed only when clear.

Non-Emergency Operation

• Obey all traffic laws.
• Emergency warning equipment is not used.
• Apparatus returning from an incident or repositioning between incidents operates non-emergency unless dispatched to another active incident.

Backing

1. Apparatus does not back up without a spotter, except where a spotter is physically impossible (single-person response), in which case the driver must dismount and walk around the vehicle prior to backing.
2. A spotter is positioned at the rear driver-side corner (the driver's line of sight), maintains eye contact with the driver, and uses standard hand or verbal signals.
3. Apparatus is backed at minimum practical speed.
4. If the spotter loses sight of the driver or the driver loses sight of the spotter, the vehicle stops.

Intersections

• Change siren tone when approaching an intersection.
• Slow or stop — do not accelerate.
• Clear each lane independently before crossing.
• Make eye contact with any driver visible in the intersection.

Weather and Road Conditions

• Reduce speed proportionate to conditions — rain, snow, ice, fog, or debris.
• No response speed is "too slow" if the road conditions don't support faster.
• The IC may downgrade a response to non-emergency based on conditions.

Personal Vehicles

Members responding in personal vehicles do not use emergency warning equipment unless authorized by the AHJ and trained by [DEPARTMENT NAME]. Even where authorized, members are held to the Due Regard standard and are subject to this policy for all driving behavior.

Collisions

1. All apparatus collisions, regardless of severity, are reported to Command and dispatch immediately.
2. The apparatus is taken out of service until inspected by a qualified technician.
3. A written report is filed within 24 hours.
4. A formal review is conducted by the Chief or designee.
5. Pre-collision conditions are preserved where possible (dash cam, telematics, scene photos).

Responsibilities

Training Requirements

• Initial EVO training meeting NFPA 1002 for the class of apparatus to be operated.
• Annual refresher covering: skills, collision avoidance, intersection procedure, backing, and a documented practical evaluation.
• After any at-fault collision, a remediation plan is developed and completed before return to driving.

References

• NFPA 1002Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications
• NFPA 1451Standard for a Fire and Emergency Service Vehicle Operations Training Program
• NFPA 1500Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program
• VFISEmergency Vehicle Response risk management resources (vfis.com)
• USFAEmergency Vehicle Safety Initiative report

Adapt this template

Before this template becomes your department's policy, review the following items and adjust accordingly. Anything else that does not match your operation should be updated as well.

• Insert your state's specific statute on emergency vehicle operation exemptions (most states codify emergency vehicle exemptions in the motor vehicle code).
• Insert your department's speed policy for emergency response (many departments use "10 mph over posted, not to exceed X mph").
• If you use dash cams or telematics, reference the separate policy governing their use and data retention.
• Coordinate with your Seatbelt SOP — these two policies must be consistent.