Specialisation and training for fire-fighters driving heavy rescue vehicles: consequences for the development of operators?

Abstract

This work was undertaken in France at the request of a local fire and rescue school in order to conduct an analysis of driving two types of heavy rescue vehicle with a view to improving training. This study took place in a context of specialisation: the drivers of these vehicles will henceforth only perform this type of task. Consequently, specific training has been designed in advance. Our study concerns the improvement of this training, taking account of the particularities of driving these vehicles in emergency situations typical to the profession of fire-fighters. The results stress first that driving of rescue vehicles in emergency situations is a multidimensional collective activity. Driving strategies identified share certain common objectives: "optimising trajectories", warn other road users, anticipate their behaviour and leave room for manoeuvre to counter and react to any unexpected behaviour. They include risks management for the potential victims of the incident and the risk of accidents during the journey. These initial results help identify certain recommendations for the training courses dealing with driving vehicles in emergency situations. They also provide a warning concerning the possible consequences of driver specialisation.

Impact of disasters on routine emergency service response performance

“…This variable represents distinct teams that have trained together. The differences in experience and training have implications particularly for total time but could also impact response time (Fan et al., 2017; Vidal‐Gomel et al., 2012). Dummy variables are created for nine teams.…”

An exploratory study of factors influencing emergency response performance

“…Emphasizing on the development and application of analytical models, previous research on emergency response has studied facility location (Erdemir et al, 2010;Toregas et al, 1971), equipment allocation (Vidal-Gomel et al, 2012), management strategy in fighting fires (Meehan, 2008), emergency response logistics (Zografos et al, 1998) and dispatching and allocation (Green, 1984;Dormont, 1978a, 1978b;Kolesar, 1982). Although considered imperative for assimilating relief response, personnel knowledge and coordination associated with the knowledge and expertise of the personnel (Balcik et al, 2010;Grant, 1996) have been largely overlooked.…”