SONOMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATION COURSE E.V.O.C. TWO-DAY (18 HOUR) NEW HIRE ORIENTATION PROGRAM
Course Goal
This course will provide the trainee with more than the minimum topics of driver training/awareness skills and techniques required in the POST Perishable Skills Training Program including; Basic Driving Principles, Legal and Moral Aspects, Defensive Driving and Maneuvering Course Exercises. The course consists of classroom instruction and behind-the- wheel, practical Driver Training and Awareness for newly hired deputies.
Driver Training/Awareness
Topics and Exercises:
1. Classroom presentation / Student Evaluation / Testing 2. Defensive driving 3. Backing/parking exercises 4. Vehicle dynamics 5. Practical exercises to improve driving skills, judgment and decision making 6. Department Policy, State Law, legal and moral issues 7. Intersection exercises 8. Code 3 driving/urgent response 9. Vehicle maintenance/care/road conditions 10. Pursuit driving 11. P.I.T. 12. Spike Strip
Course Objectives
The trainee will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of his/her driver training/awareness skills and techniques. 2. The student will demonstrate a minimum standard of psychomotor skills with every technique and exercise, to include: a. Judgment b. Decision making c. Defensive driving d. Basic driving principles e. Department Policy, State Law, legal and moral issues f. Vehicle dynamics
-1- EXPANDED COURSE OUTLINE
I. Introduction POST REF SUPPORT MATERIALS
A. Introduction and Registration B. Course Objectives, Overview, Exercises, Evaluation and Testing
II. Driving Knowledge
A. California Vehicle Code II(f)
1. 17001 CVC 2. 17004 CVC 3. 17004.7 CVC 4. 21052 CVC 5. 21055 CVC 6. 21056 CVC 7. 21057 CVC 8. 21806 CVC 9. 21807 CVC 10. 22350 CVC
B. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Policy 7-02 Pursuit of Vehicles 1. Officer Safety Considerations, Risk Assessment 2. Communications 4. Legal Requirements, liabilities and moral responsibilities 3. Pursuit Video
C. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Policy 7-03 Non-Pursuit Code 3 Driving 1. Officer Safety Considerations, Risk Assessment 2. Communications 3. Legal Requirements, liabilities and moral responsibilities
D. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Policy 7-05 Investigation of Vehicle Collisions 1. Officer Safety Considerations a. Medical Aid 2. Communications 3. Legal Requirements, liabilities and reporting responsibilities 4. Jurisdictional responsibility E. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Policy 6-08 Use of Stinger Spike Strip 1. Officer Safety Considerations, Risk Assessment
-2- 2. Communications 3. Spike Strip Video
F. Case Law pertaining to Law Enforcement Vehicles
G. Moral aspects of Law Enforcement Driving
III. Vehicle Care and Maintenance
a. Inspection prior to patrol shift
1. General Appearance a. body damage b. cleanliness 2. Tires / Wheels / Rims a. pressure b. wear c. condition d. damage 3. Lighting and Emergency Equipment (siren, horn) a. siren b. horns c. P.A./ mic /speaker d. headlights, break lights, blinkers, parking lights 4. Trunk Equipment a. Flares b. Fire extinguisher c. Medical kit d. Spare tire, lug wrench, jack, wheel chalks e. Spike Strip 5. Interior a. Check Fuel, Oil, water temperature gauges b. Adjust seat, mirrors, seatbelt c. Clean windows, remove debris, shred sensitive material d. Thoroughly inspect prisoner area 6. Listen for unusual sounds a. Brake feel b. Transmission slippage c. Accelerator responsiveness d. Power Steering
III. Vehicle Dynamics/Driver/Environmental Factors
-3- Weight transfer is the shifting of weight to the front, rear, or either side of a vehicle caused by acceleration, deceleration, braking, or steering.
1. On a stationary vehicle, the vehicle’s weight is distributed between the front and rear wheels. 2. Due to engine placement, weight distribution is seldom equal. The engine location decides the location of the greater part of the weight distribution. 3. Types of weight transfer: a. Lateral: side to side b. Longitudinal: front to rear/rear to front 4. Lateral weight transfer is created when the vehicle is turned right or left from its course of travel. 5. Causes of longitudinal weight transfer: a. Braking/rear to front b. Accelerating/front to rear c. Decelerating/rear to front 6. Spring loading: a. A vehicle’s weight is mainly supported by its springs (approximately 80- 90%). b. Weight transfer causes compression of the vehicle’s springs. (1) Compression is “spring loading”. (2) “Unloading” of springs occurs when compressed springs release to a neutral position. (3) Steering, throttle, or braking will influence weight transfer. 7. Weight transfer can’t be eliminated from a moving vehicle, but it can be minimized by good driving techniques and smooth operation. B Steering
1. Hand position 3 & 9 / 8 & 4 a. Why? Because of airbags. b. 12 o’clock position for backing. c. Left leg/foot braced between floorboard and bottom of steering wheel. (1) Body weight on right hip allows viewing out rear window. 2. Shuffle steering a. A balanced two-hand steering method with the right hand controlling the left half of the steering wheel. Both hands remain in contact with the steering wheel and do an equal amount of work. 3. Front-end swing a. When backing, the front of the car will swing out as much as four feet opposite the direction that you are turning. Front-end swing can cause a collision if the driver fails to allow sufficient clearance. 4. Rear wheel cheat a. While driving forward during a turn, the rear tires will track along a path inside that of the front tires. 5. Understeer
-4- a. Reduction of traction of the front tires tends to cause the vehicle to continue in a straight line with lessening of directional steering control (usually induced by excessive speed). 6. Over steer a. Reduction of traction to the rear tires during a steering movement causes the rear of the vehicle to slide to the outside.
C. Braking
1. Types a. ABS (1) Anti-lock brake system. (2) Prevents brake lock-up. (3) Allows wheels to turn while applying brakes. (4) Brakes will clatter when engaged. b. Threshold (1) Definition: The maximum amount of brake pedal pressure just short of locking the brakes. (2) Quicker speed reduction. (3) Most effective way to stop vehicle on a slick roadway. c. Left foot braking (1) Not acceptable (2) Tendency to ride brake pedal which generates heat, reduces braking effectiveness
D. Driver, Roadway Position
1. Definition: The position of the vehicle on the roadway that maximizes speed with minimum steering and risk of loss of vehicle control while negotiating a turn. (Also known as driving line.) 2. Diagram – 90 degree turn constant radius 3. Diagram – increasing radius turn 4. Diagram – decreasing radius turn
E. Speed Judgment
1. The ability of a driver to estimate a safe vehicular speed for any given driving situation. 2. Diagram – vehicle distance.
F. Environmental Factors
1. Weather a. Fog b. Heat c. Rain
-5- d. Hydroplaning 2. Road Conditions a. Narrow b. Two-lane c. Gravel / un-maintained county roads d. Redwood tree debris / black ice 3. Fatigue 4. Attitude 5. Adrenaline 6. Visual Horizon a. Definition: The point at which a driver’s eyes are focused on the roadway. 7. Peripheral Vision a. Definition: A lateral degree of perception present when the eyes are focused straight ahead. 8. Tunnel Vision a. Definition: Constriction of the visual field resulting in loss of peripheral vision. 9. Driver Tactics and Considerations a. Radio b. MDT/computer c. Stop in safe place before using any equipment that requires you to take your eyes off the roadway.
III. Slow Speed Maneuvers II (a,b,c,e,,g) II (1-5)
A. Offset Lane Exercise
B. Turn-Around Maneuver Exercise
C. Steering Course Exercise
D. “T” Driveway
E. Parallel Parking Exercises
1. Both left and right side. Evaluation/Test
IV. Accident Avoidance II (a,b,d) IV (1-5)
A. 25 mph – 10 times Evaluation/Test
B. 35 mph – 10 times Evaluation/Test
V. High Speed Steering Exercise II (a,b,d) IV (1-5)
A. Chicanes 4 Barricades
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1. 4 sets each
B. Chicanes 5 Barricades
1. 5 sets each Evaluation
VI. Combined Skill Exercise
A. Controlled Speed -- South Direction II (a,c,g) IV (1-5)
1. Cornering 2. Braking 3. Throttle control 4. Increase radius turns 5. Decrease radius turns
B. Controlled Speed -- North Direction II (a,c,g) IV (1-5)
1. Cornering 2. Braking 3. Throttle control 4. Increase radius turns 5. Decrease radius turns 6. High speed braking a. Rear wheel cheat b. Front end sway
VII. Extended High Speed Steering Exercise II (a,c,g) IV (1-5)
A. Chicane
1. 4 Sets 2. ¼ @ 70 mph
VIII. Hot Laps II (a,c,g) IV (1-5)
A. South Direction on Oval
1. Cornering 2. Vehicle positioning 3. Braking 4. Speed 5. Throttle 6. Apex 7. Increase radius turn
-7- 8. Decrease radius turn 9. 20 Minutes per student
B. North Direction
1. Cornering 2. Vehicle positioning 3. Braking 4. Speed 5. Throttle 6. Apex 7. Increase radius turn 8. Decrease radius turn 9. 20 Minutes per student
C. Extended Hot Laps
1. Track extends to straight section 2. Cornering 3. Vehicle positioning 4. Braking 5. Speed 6. Throttle 7. Apex 8. Increase radius turn 9. Decrease radius turn 10. 20 Minutes per student
IX. Lead and Follow II (a,c,g) IV (1-5)
A. 2 Vehicles, 2 Students
1. Simulate Code 3 run 2. 5 Minutes / switch lead 3. Use of track left to students
X. City Grid II (a,b,c,d,f,g) IV (1-5)
A. Cornering B. Braking C. Throttle control D. Vehicle positioning E. Vehicle spacing F. Speed judgment G. Intersections 1. Traffic issues/interference car
-8- H. Weight transfer 1. Lateral /Longitudinal I. Steering
XI. Pursuit
A. Code 3 Driving II (a,b,c,d,f,g) IV (1-5)
1. Cornering 2. Braking 3. Throttle control 4. Vehicle positioning 5. Vehicle spacing 6. Speed judgment 7. Intersection a. Traffic issues/interference car/exemptions 8. Weight transfer a. Lateral / Longitudinal 9. Steering 10. Backing a. Evasive maneuver b. Proper driver position
XII. City Grid / Emergency Response II (a,b,c,d,f,g) IV (1-5)
A. Code 3 Driving Evaluation
1. Cornering 2. Braking 3. Throttle control 4. Vehicle positioning 5. Vehicle spacing 6. Speed judgment 7. Intersection a. Traffic issues/interference car 8. Weight transfer a. Lateral / Longitudinal 9. Steering 10. Backing a. Evasive maneuver
-9- XIII. Pursuit / P.I.T. Evaluation/Test II(a,b,c,d,f,g) VIII (1)
A. Student will engage suspect vehicle in a pursuit and broadcast information, request resources (air support/K9), and articulate the “balance test”. Student will perform pursuit driving tactics and PIT responsibilities as a Secondary Unit. 1. Cornering 2. Braking 3. Throttle control 4. Vehicle positioning 5. Vehicle spacing, tunnel v. peripheral vision 6. Speed judgment 7. Intersections a. Traffic issues/interference car b. Traffic Control Devices / exemptions 8. Weight transfer a. Lateral / Longitudinal 9. Steering 10. P.I.T. a. Supervisory Permission b. Location selection c. Communications d. Vehicle pacing / positioning e. Articulate “balance test”
B. Student will determine appropriate location for and effectively perform PIT a. Smooth and Effective vehicular intervention
C. Primary Unit positions vehicle to block traffic while mindful of crossfire.
D. Secondary Units 1. Position their vehicles to prevent escape of suspect a. communications b. positioning c. weapon choice 2. Prepare to perform a high-risk stop
XIV. Spike Strip Evaluation/Test A. Department Policy B. Safety Considerations C. Demonstrate deployment
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