Sorry you can't drive your fire truck back to the firehouse.

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Permalink Reply by Jason F. Anderson, EMT-B on April 29, 2009 at 9:24pm

Texas currently requires a Class B EXEMPT license to operate an apparatus under these circumstances. The way it is written right now, anyone can drive TO the scene, but a license holder must drive it back. It is not anticipated to make a difference for right now until someone has a mishap while operating. Then, the enforcement may get quite a bit stiffer.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on April 29, 2009 at 10:00pm

Ok, I am in the minority here but I just want someone to answer my question. How come I drive a commercial vehicle everyday under normal conditions and I am required to have a CDL BUT Bob the vollie firefighter can jump out of his Nissan and drive a large firetruck under stress and adrenaline running lights and siren, WHERE IS THE COMMON SENSE IN THAT?

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Manning on April 30, 2009 at 10:30am

the reasons for this, I was told, was that a driver of a commercial rig must, ONCE, go through the process of being tested on the equipment he was going to drive, and thenafter simply pay the addt'l charges above his driver's liscense to retain his CDL. So, in a career of 35 - 40 years, he has been tested ONCE on his skill and knowledge of the vehicle. (If I'm wrong about this, please let me know. I've never taken a CDL. I drove 10 years commercially in a non-CDL [under 26,000])
In the fire service, it is required that we be tested annually upon our skills as an operator.

To answer Lt. harmon's Q: The department has the responsibility to oversee their driver's actions. As a commercial driver, the state has the responsibility to oversee yours. The state is simply giving the department the job of oversight by allowing the exemption for firefighters.

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on April 30, 2009 at 10:36am

But where is the common sense in that, I under stand what the law is. What I don't understand is who thought it was a good idea and why.

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Permalink Reply by Dale on April 29, 2009 at 10:35pm

This is being taken care of. I was sent the information where some Legislators near the NYC are pushing to amend this piece. So how are things in Oxbow?

I am a CDL Operator also and appreciate the thought that went into this. Especially from the Volunteer side when a 21 year old Hot Shot can hop out of his car and then in behind the wheel of a 2000 gallon tanker. These things don't stop on a dime.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on April 30, 2009 at 4:54pm

If a good driver training program is inacted this shouldn't be a issue. I have a CDL and can agree with you in some instances, but the dept should not be allowing personel to drive if they are not ready, or revoke privelages if they drive recklessly

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on April 30, 2009 at 4:51pm

As far as too and from a call, non CDl drivers are ok to drive since it is allowed in a emergency, and the emergency is not over till the truck is back at the station. Parades and driver training is a diffrent story. You have to have a CDl to drive in any situation other than a emergency. STUPID. Can't train you to drive but during a emergency, lights and sirens, adrenaline pumping, go ahead. Bunch of bull. They are working on getting the law to have a exemption for fire depts but as of today it is still in the works. The Federal Gov't has this exemption but good old NY never adopted it.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Privette on April 30, 2009 at 5:33pm

In North Carolina, it has been told to me that all volunteer departments are exempt from CDL's. the paid departments only require them just to state that you are capable of driving the truck.

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Permalink Reply by Barry on May 2, 2009 at 9:21pm

That sucks

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Permalink Reply by Romulus14541 on May 20, 2009 at 6:18pm

LEGISLATION PASSES BOTH NY ASSEMBLY AND SENATE
ALLOWING FIREFIGHTERS TO OPERATE
FIRE APPARATUS WITHOUT SPECIAL LICENSE

FASNY and other firematic groups commend Legislature
for bill that corrects oversight in state traffic laws

Today the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) commended the members of the New York State Legislature for prompt action on legislation sponsored by Senator Brian Foley (D - Suffolk) and Assembly Member Robert Sweeney (D - Suffolk) to address an oversight in the state's traffic laws. That loophole essentially disallowed firefighters from operating fire trucks and other emergency apparatus without a commercial driver's license, or CDL, during key, non-emergency purposes, such as training runs and building inspections. FASNY believes that Governor Paterson will sign the bill into law before Memorial Day.

FASNY President Thomas J. Cuff, Jr. identified the legislation as "remedial to correct a problem stemming from interpretations of a vague amendment to New York's Vehicle and Traffic law". FASNY, which represents the interests of the 130,000 volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in the Empire State, worked closely with the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs and the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York in supporting the legislation.

FASNY was particularly concerned about this unintended outcropping of a large omnibus transportation bill in 2005: as interpreted, the bill allowed volunteers to drive heavy fire apparatus - e.g. fire trucks - to the scene of an emergency, but not to return to the firehouse. Furthermore, it was discovered that the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration required states to pass special legislation exempting firefighters from the CDL requirement. (The aforementioned 2005 legislation did not adequately exempt firefighters from the CDL requirement: the situation therefore required remedial action from the NY State Legislature.)

While some of the defect was cured by language in the recently enacted New York State budget, all official duties of firefighters, such as training, were not addressed. "Training is an essential function. Without today's legislation, those restrictions would have hampered our responders' abilities to respond to emergencies," said Mr. Cuff. "We are grateful to Senator Foley, Assembly Member Sweeney, members of the Legislature, the Governor and the State's emergency response associations for their continuing commitment and dedication to our volunteer fire service."

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Permalink Reply by Romulus14541 on May 26, 2009 at 4:01pm

CDL Bill Signed Into Law



Dear FASNY Member:

On Thursday Governor Paterson signed legislation allowing firefighters to operate fire trucks and other emergency apparatus without a commercial drivers' license during non-emergency situations, such as training, building inspections and ceremonial duties, including parades.

Some of the defect was cured by language in the recently enacted NYS budget, which exempted firefighters from the CDL requirement while going to and from an emergency situation. The legislation now completes the exemption and makes it clear that ceremonial activities, such as parades, are also exempted activities.

The legislation was sponsored by Senator Brian Foley and Assemblyman Bob Sweeney. FASNY worked closely with the Chiefs and Districts Associations to support the efforts of the sponsors in getting this bill through. FASNY commends the members of the Legislature for passing the bills, and Governor Paterson for signing it into law before Memorial Day. FASNY also thanks its members for their active support of this important bill.

The Governor's office issued a press release on the bill signing, which included the following quote from FASNY President Tom Cuff:

President of the Firemen's Association of the State of New York Thomas J. Cuff, Jr., said: "This law restores the ability of our dedicated volunteer firefighters to operate fire apparatus in both emergency and non-emergency situations - such as training and drill evolutions - and community events, including school visits and, of course, this weekend's Memorial Day parades. Our members already receive many hours of safety and operational training before getting behind the wheel of these rigs, making the need for a CDL unnecessary. On behalf of the volunteer fire service, our leadership thanks the Legislature and Governor for their swift action in passing and signing this important piece of legislation."

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Permalink Reply by Daniele on May 26, 2009 at 7:36pm

Perhaps you guys can get some uncertified folks with a CDL to do the driving until you guys can get up to par with the law???

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