SOP_NUMBER: 511.20
TITLE: Occupational Safety and Health—Drivers of Vehicles
REFERENCE_CODE: IVN10-0002
DIVISION: Facilities
TOPIC_AREA: 511 Policy—Fire Services
EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2002-04-01
WORD_COUNT: 581
POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105875
URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/511.20/

SUMMARY:
This policy establishes minimum safety standards and requirements for all Georgia Department of Corrections Certified Firefighters who drive or operate motorized vehicles owned or used by the department. It requires drivers to have valid licenses appropriate for the vehicles they operate, mandates completion of driver training programs for certain vehicle categories, and specifies safe operating procedures including proper seating, backing procedures, and emergency response protocols. Station Chiefs are responsible for monitoring driver qualifications and ensuring vehicle safety.

KEY_TOPICS: firefighter driver safety, vehicle operation, driver training program, fire apparatus, vehicle categories, gross vehicle weight, valid driver's license, backing procedures, spotters, emergency response, defensive driving, vehicle safety equipment, accident reporting, driver responsibilities, safe driving practices

========================================================================
FULL TEXT:
========================================================================

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS<br>Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|**`Functional Area: `**<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE`<br>`SERVICES`|**`Reference Number: `**<br>`IVN10-0002`|**`Revises`**<br>**`Previous`**<br>**`Effective Date:`**<br>`NEW`|
|**`Subject:`**<br>`OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY &`<br>`HEALTH/DRIVERS OF VEHICLES`|||
|**`Authority:`**<br>`WETHERINGTON/HODGE`|**`Effective Date:`**<br>`4/01/02`|`Page`**`1`**` of`<br>**`3 `**|

```
I. POLICY:

   This standard applies to all Firefighters who drive or operate
   a motorized vehicle owned or used by the Department. It was
   promulgated to:

   A. Establish minimum standards for Firefighters who are
      allowed to drive or operate a motorized vehicle.

   B. Establish minimum safety regulations for the operation of
      a motorized vehicle.

II. APPLICABILITY:

   All Department of Corrections Certified Firefighters in State
   and County Fire Departments.

III. RELATED DIRECTIVES:

   NFPA 1500 and 1002

IV. DEFINITIONS:

    NONE

V. ATTACHMENTS:

   NONE

VI. PROCEDURE:

   A. (General)

      1. Driver’s license:

         a. All fire apparatus drivers shall have a valid
            inmate driver’s license that is appropriate for

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 2 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0002`|


```
         the types of vehicles that they are allowed to
         operate.

   2. For the purposes of this standard, motorized
      vehicles shall be divided into two categories:
      Category one and Category Two.

      a. Category One vehicles are those vehicles used
         primarily for fire suppression purposes and
         that have a gross vehicle weight (gvw) that
         exceeds 11,000 lbs.

      b. Category Two vehicles are those vehicles that
         have a gvw of 11,000 lbs. or less and are
         primarily used for support services.

   3. No Firefighter shall be allowed to drive or operate
      a Category One vehicle unless he has successfully
      completed the Department’s driver training program
      or is a student driver under the supervision of a
      qualified driver.

   4. All vehicles shall be operated in a safe and prudent
      manner, and all drivers shall comply with all
      traffic laws and the applicable rules and
      regulations of the Department.

   5. No driver shall move a vehicle until all persons in
      it are in an approved riding position and are
      properly secured.

   6. Drivers responding to emergencies shall comply with
      the provisions of SOP IVN10-0003, Emergency
      Response.

   7. A driver shall not back a vehicle unless his/her
      view is clear and unobstructed. Apparatus shall not
      be backed unless there is at least one spotter to
      the rear of the apparatus to assist in the
      operation.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES

   1. Drivers shall be directly responsible for the safe
      and prudent operation of their vehicles in all
      situations.

```

|Functional Area:<br>SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES|Prev. Eff. Date:<br>NEW|Page 3 of<br>3|
|---|---|---|
|`Functional Area:`<br>`SUPPORT SERVICES/FIRE SERVICES`|`Effective Date:`<br>`4/01/02`|`Reference Number:`<br>`IVN10-0002`|


```
   2. When a driver is under the direct supervision of a
      Station Chief, the Station Chief shall be
      responsible for the actions of the driver.

   3. The Station Chief shall monitor the status of all
      the Firefighters of the Department to ensure that
      all those who drive and operate vehicles have had
      the proper training, possess valid driver’s
      licenses, and have had a defensive driving course.

   4. Drivers shall be responsible for ensuring that all
      of their vehicles’ safety equipment is functioning
      properly and that their vehicles are safe to drive
      prior to operating them.

C. ACCIDENTS

   1. The Station Chief shall immediately notify his
      supervisor and the appropriate law enforcement
      agency if he is involved in an accident. All
      reports and information concerning the accident
      shall be forwarded to the Fleet Management Director.

   2. The Station Chief shall notify the Fire Services
      Manager whenever an accident involves an injury,
      fatality, or damage to a vehicle.

```