Truck Rodeo Manual - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association
Truck Rodeo Manual - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association
Truck Rodeo Manual - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARMENT<br />
APPARATUS OPERATOR 1C<br />
TILLERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE<br />
OPERATIONS<br />
<strong>Los</strong> <strong>Angeles</strong> <strong>County</strong> Fire Dept.<br />
RODEO EXERCISES<br />
1
FORWARD STOP / STRAIGHT LINE BACKING<br />
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward between two rows of markers.<br />
They must maneuver the apparatus through this lane without touching the<br />
markers and stop the apparatus within 6 inches of the cones. At the signal of the<br />
proctor, the driver and tiller operator will back the apparatus out of the lane in a<br />
straight line without touching the markers.<br />
100’ 100’<br />
10'<br />
Stop within 6”<br />
Constant Speed Zone<br />
Forward<br />
Reverse<br />
2
DIMINISHING CLEARANCE DRIVING EXERCISE<br />
This exercise teaches the driver depth perception and handling<br />
characteristics of fire department apparatus. It reinforces the employee’s<br />
mental and physical reactions required to avoid accidents, which will result<br />
in the prevention of apparatus damage and possible injury or death.<br />
The diminishing clearance exercise measures a driver’s ability to steer the<br />
apparatus in a diminishing straight line, and to judge distances from wheel to<br />
object. The course for this exercise is arranged by two rows of markers that form<br />
a lane at least 100 feet long. The lane narrows from a width of two (2) feet wider<br />
than the vehicle to a diminishing clearance of four (4) inches. The driver must<br />
maneuver the apparatus through this lane without touching the cones.<br />
100’ 100’<br />
9'3"<br />
10'<br />
Forward<br />
Reverse<br />
This evolution is arranged with two rows of markers that form a lane 160 feet<br />
long. The lane narrows from a width of 10 feet to a diminishing clearance of 9<br />
feet 3 inches. The driver and tiller operator must maneuver the apparatus<br />
through this lane without touching the markers. The driver must stop the<br />
apparatus within 6 inches of the finish line. At the signal of the proctor, the<br />
driver and tiller operator will back the apparatus out of the lane without<br />
touching the markers. If the driver hits the front bumper into the finish line, the<br />
event is failed.<br />
3
OFFSET ALLEY DRIVING EXERCISE<br />
This exercise teaches the driver depth perception and the handling<br />
characteristics of fire department apparatus. It reinforces the employee’s mental<br />
and physical reactions required to avoid accidents, which will result in the<br />
prevention of apparatus damage and possible injury or death.<br />
The offset alley driving exercise is designed to test the driver’s capabilities of<br />
quickly changing lane positions which may occur due to changing traffic<br />
conditions. The course is composed of two turns, where the barriers are set at<br />
close tolerances to the apparatus. The course is set up to compensate for vehicle<br />
width and length. Distance between the two jogs shall be equal to the vehicle<br />
length. Width of the driving lanes is 12 feet.<br />
65’ 60’ 40’<br />
12’<br />
24’<br />
12’<br />
Forward<br />
Reverse<br />
The driver shall first drive forward through the course, then will drive backwards<br />
through the course. There is no set speed established for this maneuver, but should be<br />
driven in a constant, deliberate manner.<br />
First, the driver and tiller operator will maneuver the apparatus forward through the<br />
lanes in one continuous motion without touching any markers and stop after the<br />
apparatus has cleared the alley. At the signal of the proctor, the driver and tiller<br />
operator will back the apparatus through the lanes in one continuous motion without<br />
touching any markers and stop after the apparatus has cleared the alley.<br />
PARALLEL PARKING<br />
4
66’<br />
1<br />
12’<br />
18" maximum<br />
Forward<br />
Reverse Forward<br />
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward into the parking space using the<br />
"crabbing" technique and stop the apparatus at the forward cones of the marked<br />
parking space. They will back the apparatus in one continuous motion to align<br />
the apparatus along the curb line. The apparatus should be within 18" of the<br />
curb when parked. Hitting course markers to the front or rear is an event failure.<br />
MEASURED RIGHT & LEFT TURN<br />
5
20'<br />
20’<br />
24"<br />
20'<br />
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward through a 20' wide lane. At the<br />
end of the lane, they will make a right or left turn, depending on the evolution,<br />
into a lane 20' wide. The rear wheel of the tractor and the wheel of the tiller must<br />
be within 24 inches of the cone located at the inside corner of the turn. The driver<br />
and tiller operator must maneuver the apparatus through the lanes without<br />
stopping or touching the markers. Touching the inside corner marker is an event<br />
failure.<br />
STALL PARKING/STATION APPARATUS BACKING DRIVING<br />
EXERCISE<br />
The alley dock driving exercise tests the driver’s ability to move a vehicle<br />
backwards from a non-restricted area, into a restricted area such as an alley,<br />
dock or fire Station. This exercise demonstrates the difficulties involved in<br />
backing the vehicle without striking walls or boundaries, and to bring the vehicle<br />
6
to a stop close to the rear wall.<br />
The boundary lines developed for this exercise are to simulate driving forward on<br />
a street, stopping and backing into a driveway or alley. The street width is to be<br />
a minimum of 40 feet wide, similar to the distance of a four lane street.<br />
Perpendicular to the street is an alley 14 feet wide and the length of the<br />
apparatus deep. The procedure for driving the exercise is to drive past the alley,<br />
stop and then back the vehicle into the alley, stopping before the rear boundary<br />
line. Back up guides shall be used during the exercise.<br />
40 ‘<br />
14'<br />
55’<br />
Stop apparatus at 10' set back<br />
TURN-AROUND DRIVING EXERCISE<br />
F<br />
I<br />
N<br />
I<br />
S<br />
H 40’<br />
S<br />
T<br />
A<br />
R<br />
T<br />
7
58’<br />
Forward<br />
Forward<br />
Reverse<br />
14’<br />
14’<br />
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward and stop just pass the intersection.<br />
Then back the apparatus into the right lane of the intersecting lane. Proceeding<br />
forward, they will make a left turn and travel in the opposite direction that they<br />
were originally traveling.<br />
8
CUL-DE-SAC DRIVING EXERCISE<br />
Drivers of fire department apparatus are often required to turn around in limited<br />
space either for a change of direction, or to spot at an emergency scene. This<br />
exercise offers the driver an understanding of the limitations of the turning radius<br />
required for apparatus turn-around.<br />
Fire apparatus often needs to be turned around to complete an operation. This<br />
turning around exercise helps to develop a driver’s ability to properly spot<br />
apparatus for operations. Although turning fire apparatus around may not be<br />
difficult in adequate space, it becomes more complicated in narrow streets or<br />
intersections. However, if street width is adequate and if traffic conditions permit,<br />
the U-turn may be used.<br />
12’<br />
12’<br />
12’<br />
14’<br />
24’<br />
76’<br />
or<br />
(2W+L)<br />
of<br />
vehicle<br />
9
SERPENTINE DRIVING EXERCISE<br />
First Circuit :<br />
Second Circuit:<br />
Starting the first circuit, the driver is required to drive the apparatus along<br />
the left side of the markers in a straight line and stop just beyond the No. 1<br />
marker. Then in one continuous motion, the driver and tiller operator must<br />
back the apparatus between the markers. Start by passing to the left of<br />
No. 1, to the right of No. 2, to the left of No. 3, and to the right of No. 4. At<br />
this point, the driver and tiller operator must stop the vehicle just beyond<br />
the last marker. Next, drive the apparatus forward between the markers<br />
by passing to the left of No. 4, to the right of No. 3, to the left of No. 2, and<br />
the right of No. 1.<br />
After completing the first circuit, the driver and tiller operator must complete a<br />
second circuit, which is the opposite as the first circuit. Drive the apparatus along<br />
the right side of the markers in a straight line and stop just beyond the No. 1<br />
marker. Continue the circuit, passing the markers on the opposite side as the first<br />
circuit.<br />
SERPENTINE BACKING & FORWARD EXERCISE<br />
10
56’ 56’<br />
56’<br />
Forward<br />
Forward<br />
Reverse<br />
An area of approximately 40’ x 224’ is required because the Tiller Quint drives<br />
forward and reverse in a serpentine manner around a row of five cones placed<br />
an equal distance apart. The distance between the cones should be the length<br />
of the tractor/trailer.<br />
11