| *TRAFFIC TECH* |
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|                | Technology Transfer SeriesNumber 92, April           1995 |

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## EMERGENCY   VEHICLE OPERATORS COURSEREVISED   FOR AMBULANCES

The National Highway Traffic Safety   Administration (NHTSA) develops training courses that are responsive to the   guidelines established by the Highway Safety Act of 1966 as amended. One of   these courses is the Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course (EVOC) for Ambulances   as part of the National Standard Curricula. The goal of the EVOC is to reduce   the incidence of emergency vehicle crashes. 

Module A contains 16 hours of   classroom instruction with 10 separate lesson guides to cover the basic knowledge   required for ambulance operators. It includes a sample checklist for both a   quick check and full check ambulance inspection, work request forms, hand signals,   and test questions. An appendix contains a review of the principles of adult   learning and effective presentation techniques. Another appendix discusses some   of the training management areas that EMS managers should consider. 

Module B takes the training to   a driving range where participants practice ambulance operator skills. There   are 10 exercises in this module with directions on how to set up the exercises   and rate a participant's performance. 

Module C builds on the knowledge   and skills the participant learned in the first two modules. A participant begins   a series of supervised on -the-job training sessions. This training is necessary   because there are operational tasks that cannot be evaluated in other than an   operational setting. Participants are assigned to qualified partners who coach   and evaluate their performance. Upon completion of the module, organizations   issue certificates of completion to successful participants. 

The course materials were pilot   tested in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and Miami, Florida. Both Pennsylvania and   Florida have statutes requiring ambulance operators to complete a state approved   ambulance operator training program before they can operate an ambulance. The   managers, instructors, and participants all gave the course high marks. The   revised curriculum combines the technical aspects of ambulance operations with   demonstrated performance of the participant. 

On about May 30, 1995, the *Instructor   Guide* and *Participant Manual* of the *Emergency   Vehicle Operator's Course, Ambulance: National Standard Curriculum*   will be available for purchase in both hard copy and CD-ROM from the Superintendent   of Documents, Government Printing Office, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954.   Telephone orders may be placed at (202) 512-1800.

For more information, contact   Commander Gary B. Criddle, Emergency Medical Services Division, NHTSA, NTS-42,   400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366-9794, or   send a fax to (202) 366-7721. 

 

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 U.S. Department   of TransportationNational   HighwayTraffic   SafetyAdministration400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33Washington, DC 20590

Traffic   Tech is a publication to disseminate information   about traffic safety programs, including   evaluations, innovative programs, and   new publications. Feel free to copy it as you wish.

If you would like to receive a   copy contact: 

> 
Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., Editor,         Evaluation Staff Traffic     Safety Programs(202) 366-2759