The Western Institutes Professional Drivers Operations Course (Approved by the Alberta College of Paramedics)

Delivery:

• Class Room/Lecture 
• Virtual Simulation 
• Practical Field Time 

Course Content:

Human Limitations & Human Risk Factors 

• Identify fatigue and apply preventive measures
• Identify what constitutes fatigue
• Identify the consequences of aggressive driving

Introduction to Law and the EMS Driver Operator

• Alberta traffic safety act 
• Legal aspects of emergency vehicle operation
• distraction laws and emergency vehicle
• Hazard Recognition
• Identify the types of hazards
• Identify the techniques for identifying a hazard while driving 

System of Car Control (SOCC)

• Discuss the purpose of the system of car control in everyday driving
• Identify each step of the SOCC

Formulation of Driving Plans

• Identify the use of driving plan 
• Identify the required information in formulating a driving plan
• Formulate a driving plan based on set of determined driving scenarios

Corners and Bends

• Students will be able to identify the correct positioning for left and right handed bends 
• Identify the implications of speed and effects of acceleration and braking when cornering

Intersections and Traffic Circles 

• Identify the actions to safely negotiate intersections
• Identify  lane discipline and observations, signals to safely negotiate traffic circles

Reversing and Maneuvering 

• Identify the techniques and actions employed for ensuring safe vehicle reversing maneuvers
• Identify the steps and actions for negotiating obstacles at slow speeds
• Identify the requirements and actions to performa reverse park maneuver

Steering, Acceleration, Braking, Overtaking

• Identify the factors which will ensure safe use of speed and acceleration
• Identify the techniques for applying smooth braking 
• Identify good practice techniques in steering a vehicle
• Considerations for a successful overtake

Off Road and Winter Driving 

• Identify the driving techniques for winter environments to ensure a safe journey 
• Identify the driving techniques for off road environments to ensure a safe journey
• Techniques
• Obstacles 

Vehicle Maintenance and preparedness

• Perform a vehicle daily maintenance inspection
• Identify vehicle fluid checks and top up processes 
• Perform a cockpit drill
  

Practical Driving, Hazard Recognition, Navigation, and Driving Plans

• Perform SOCC driving to identified hazards
• Demonstrate hazard recognition scanning and identification
• Develop a dynamic driving plan for hazard maneuvering or avoidance 
• Route preparation
• Skid correction
• Skid avoidance 

Final Assessments 

• Written evaluation with a passing grade of 80% 
• Practical driving (each student takes part in a 20 min test)
• Tutorials provided/final feedback and grades