All About Fire Truck Drivers

The position of a fire truck driver is one of the most responsible in the structure of the Ministry of Emergencies. The success of the fight against fire depends on the promptness of the arrival of the combat crew at the place of extinguishing the fire, the speed and correctness of the tasks. To work as a driver of special equipment, you must complete training courses and obtain the required driver's category.

It is customary to call the driver of a fire truck the person who manages the special equipment in the event of a fire or emergency. The driver of the guard on duty is subordinate to the squad leader or his substitute squad leader.

The position of a driver requires great responsibility, responsiveness and the availability of special equipment driving skills. The driver must quickly navigate and arrive at the fire extinguishing site, know about the location of nearby water supply sources and be able to instantly take action in critical conditions.

The driver is responsible for the serviceability of the property and vehicles assigned to him, and is also responsible for the readiness of the equipment for use. A qualified and well-trained person can handle the duties of a specialist in operating a fire engine. The time of elimination of fires, the number of lives saved and saved property directly depends on the promptness of the response and the speed of execution of the tasks assigned to the driver.

In addition to following the instructions, this person should be brave and ready to help. In order to extinguish the fire in the shortest possible time and with minimal losses, it is necessary for the driver to arrive promptly at the fire site, activate the equipment and machinery, and also take other actions in accordance with the prevailing situation.

Several factors affect the speed of arrival of the combat personnel to the place of elimination of the fire and the beginning of fire extinguishing:

• the situation on the road, namely, the presence or absence of traffic jams, favorable weather conditions;
• the speed of finding the entrance to the water supply system;
• organization and coordination of the actions of the brigade;
• the experience and competence of the fire truck driver.

A fire truck driver must have the following skills and be able to complete a list of tasks:

• know the procedure for operating special equipment and its technical capabilities;
• manage dedicated equipment in adverse weather conditions and at any time of the day;
• keep equipment and machinery safe so that they are always ready for immediate use and departure;
• to carry out measures aimed at extending the life of the fire equipment located in its area of ​​responsibility;
• know and strictly observe the requirements of legislative acts, regulatory documents of the Russian Federation and administrative documents of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, in which the procedure for the movement of fire equipment is fixed, special commands and signals are regulated;
• know the schedule and scope of repair work related to maintenance and overhaul mileage, as well as the service life of the property and equipment entrusted to him;
• carry out preparation of special equipment for the passage of state maintenance;
• know the norms of fuels, lubricants and extinguishing liquids used for refueling fire fighting equipment, and avoid unnecessary waste of materials;
• know the reasons for the malfunction of fire equipment, be able to timely detect malfunctions and eliminate them promptly, as well as prevent its breakdown, in case of detection of deficiencies associated with the operation of equipment, immediately report this to the higher authorities;
• check the technical condition of the machine before its direct departure from the place of deployment and monitor the health of the main and auxiliary equipment, which ensure safety in the process of moving or performing work;
• comply with the norms for loading fire fighting equipment, the procedure for boarding and transporting personnel, as well as comply with the requirements for securing cargo;
• be able to apply the route scheme in practice and move quickly in any terrain with different conditions;
• timely draw up and transfer to the structural unit the necessary travel and technical documentation;
• when carrying out urgent rescue operations, do not leave the equipment and do not change its location without obtaining the permission of the chief, and also follow the signals and commands given;
• observe fire safety measures during the repair, operation and evacuation of equipment and entrusted property, it is prohibited to violate the rules for handling garage equipment.

Taking a shift, this specialist must go as part of a brigade to the location of extinguishing, know the location of fire hazardous facilities, access roads and water supply systems in the exit area, be able to handle fire-fighting units and equipment. Besides, the driver is obliged to develop a plan for movement across the territory for prompt arrival at the scene of the fire. During the elimination of the source of fire, the driver of special equipment must properly park the car so that it is possible to safely take it out of the danger zone in an emergency.

On the basis of regulatory and administrative documents, the driver is prohibited from entrusting the control of the fire engine to third parties, including those under whom he is subordinate. While on duty, the driver must have a driver's license, which gives the right to operate special fire equipment. Otherwise, the employee will not be allowed to perform direct duties. The possibility of using special equipment and auxiliary equipment without a permit is also strictly prohibited.

When changing shifts, the driver must check the operability of the fire fighting equipment entrusted to him. If a malfunction is found, report it to the authorities, who will enter the information received into the vehicle's condition passport. If the machine has a serious problem, it must be scrapped.

The driver must operate a fire or rescue vehicle and be personally responsible for the proper performance of the tasks assigned to him. This official is directly subordinate to the chief of the guard.

When extinguishing a fire, the driver must perform the following actions:

• be guided by the requirements set forth in the combat crew report for a specific type of fire engine;
• install the machine in the place indicated by the manager, taking into account the labor protection rules and the provisions of the current charter, as well as sanitary and hygienic requirements in the process of work;
• ensure the movement of the fire truck to a safer location in the event of a complication of the situation during extinguishing;
• ensure the smooth functioning of the hoses and assemblies of the fire truck, as well as constantly monitor changes in the situation;
• keep records and control of the availability of fuels and lubricants, as well as report to the chief about the need to replenish them;
• prevent the appearance of sharp bends on the fire hoses and make sure that the suction mesh is constantly in the water;
• ensure rinsing with water after the foam has been supplied to the pump cavities and channels of the foam mixer;
• act on the orders of the squad leader by using a standard radio station, and also take part in the implementation of hostilities during the elimination of fire.

Specialists who have received a driver's license of the required category for the right to drive a specific type of equipment, as well as have undergone training or retraining and mastered the necessary skills, can be allowed to operate a firefighting vehicle. The driver must obtain a permit that gives the right to work with fire equipment.

To assign the appropriate category and issue a permit for driving a fire engine, it is customary to convene a qualification commission. Adults who are fully capable can obtain admission to operate special equipment.

To obtain the right to operate special equipment, you need to undergo training in the developed area of ​​training. The main requirement is to be awarded first and second class driving qualifications. For those wishing to be professionals, you need to unlearn a driving course in truck driving. Training aimed at acquiring skills in managing special equipment and using fire fighting equipment is carried out in a special educational institution of the Ministry of Emergencies.

In the process of studying, the future specialist will get acquainted with the procedure for fire brigades and study the job descriptions of the driver. Every year, drivers are required to confirm their qualifications and pass exams to check the acquired knowledge, enshrined in the fire safety instructions.

The monthly salary of fire service drivers varies by division and region. So, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the amount of payments to a senior driver is more than 15,500 rubles, in large cities where more than one hundred thousand people live and are the centers of the subjects of the Russian Federation, the salary of a specialist reaches 13,500 rubles, and in rural areas and small settlements - about 11,300 rubles.

The salaries of fire truck drivers are made up of many determining factors. The amount of the driver's monthly monetary allowance is calculated based on the provisions of the order of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia No. 747, provided that the specialist is a civilian employee and works in a fire brigade. If the driver is an employee of any other fire department, the employer sets the salary.