Truck Rodeo Manual - Los Angeles County Firefighters Association

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARMENT
APPARATUS OPERATOR 1C
TILLERED EMERGENCY VEHICLE
OPERATIONS
Los Angeles County Fire Dept.
RODEO EXERCISES
1

FORWARD STOP / STRAIGHT LINE BACKING
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward between two rows of markers.
They must maneuver the apparatus through this lane without touching the
markers and stop the apparatus within 6 inches of the cones. At the signal of the
proctor, the driver and tiller operator will back the apparatus out of the lane in a
straight line without touching the markers.
100’ 100’
10'
Stop within 6”
Constant Speed Zone
Forward
Reverse
2

DIMINISHING CLEARANCE DRIVING EXERCISE
This exercise teaches the driver depth perception and handling
characteristics of fire department apparatus. It reinforces the employee’s
mental and physical reactions required to avoid accidents, which will result
in the prevention of apparatus damage and possible injury or death.
The diminishing clearance exercise measures a driver’s ability to steer the
apparatus in a diminishing straight line, and to judge distances from wheel to
object. The course for this exercise is arranged by two rows of markers that form
a lane at least 100 feet long. The lane narrows from a width of two (2) feet wider
than the vehicle to a diminishing clearance of four (4) inches. The driver must
maneuver the apparatus through this lane without touching the cones.
100’ 100’
9'3"
10'
Forward
Reverse
This evolution is arranged with two rows of markers that form a lane 160 feet
long. The lane narrows from a width of 10 feet to a diminishing clearance of 9
feet 3 inches. The driver and tiller operator must maneuver the apparatus
through this lane without touching the markers. The driver must stop the
apparatus within 6 inches of the finish line. At the signal of the proctor, the
driver and tiller operator will back the apparatus out of the lane without
touching the markers. If the driver hits the front bumper into the finish line, the
event is failed.
3

OFFSET ALLEY DRIVING EXERCISE
This exercise teaches the driver depth perception and the handling
characteristics of fire department apparatus. It reinforces the employee’s mental
and physical reactions required to avoid accidents, which will result in the
prevention of apparatus damage and possible injury or death.
The offset alley driving exercise is designed to test the driver’s capabilities of
quickly changing lane positions which may occur due to changing traffic
conditions. The course is composed of two turns, where the barriers are set at
close tolerances to the apparatus. The course is set up to compensate for vehicle
width and length. Distance between the two jogs shall be equal to the vehicle
length. Width of the driving lanes is 12 feet.
65’ 60’ 40’
12’
24’
12’
Forward
Reverse
The driver shall first drive forward through the course, then will drive backwards
through the course. There is no set speed established for this maneuver, but should be
driven in a constant, deliberate manner.
First, the driver and tiller operator will maneuver the apparatus forward through the
lanes in one continuous motion without touching any markers and stop after the
apparatus has cleared the alley. At the signal of the proctor, the driver and tiller
operator will back the apparatus through the lanes in one continuous motion without
touching any markers and stop after the apparatus has cleared the alley.
PARALLEL PARKING
4

66’
1
12’
18" maximum
Forward
Reverse Forward
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward into the parking space using the
"crabbing" technique and stop the apparatus at the forward cones of the marked
parking space. They will back the apparatus in one continuous motion to align
the apparatus along the curb line. The apparatus should be within 18" of the
curb when parked. Hitting course markers to the front or rear is an event failure.
MEASURED RIGHT & LEFT TURN
5

20'
20’
24"
20'
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward through a 20' wide lane. At the
end of the lane, they will make a right or left turn, depending on the evolution,
into a lane 20' wide. The rear wheel of the tractor and the wheel of the tiller must
be within 24 inches of the cone located at the inside corner of the turn. The driver
and tiller operator must maneuver the apparatus through the lanes without
stopping or touching the markers. Touching the inside corner marker is an event
failure.
STALL PARKING/STATION APPARATUS BACKING DRIVING
EXERCISE
The alley dock driving exercise tests the driver’s ability to move a vehicle
backwards from a non-restricted area, into a restricted area such as an alley,
dock or fire Station. This exercise demonstrates the difficulties involved in
backing the vehicle without striking walls or boundaries, and to bring the vehicle
6

to a stop close to the rear wall.
The boundary lines developed for this exercise are to simulate driving forward on
a street, stopping and backing into a driveway or alley. The street width is to be
a minimum of 40 feet wide, similar to the distance of a four lane street.
Perpendicular to the street is an alley 14 feet wide and the length of the
apparatus deep. The procedure for driving the exercise is to drive past the alley,
stop and then back the vehicle into the alley, stopping before the rear boundary
line. Back up guides shall be used during the exercise.
40 ‘
14'
55’
Stop apparatus at 10' set back
TURN-AROUND DRIVING EXERCISE
F
I
N
I
S
H 40’
S
T
A
R
T
7

58’
Forward
Forward
Reverse
14’
14’
The driver and tiller operator will drive forward and stop just pass the intersection.
Then back the apparatus into the right lane of the intersecting lane. Proceeding
forward, they will make a left turn and travel in the opposite direction that they
were originally traveling.
8

CUL-DE-SAC DRIVING EXERCISE
Drivers of fire department apparatus are often required to turn around in limited
space either for a change of direction, or to spot at an emergency scene. This
exercise offers the driver an understanding of the limitations of the turning radius
required for apparatus turn-around.
Fire apparatus often needs to be turned around to complete an operation. This
turning around exercise helps to develop a driver’s ability to properly spot
apparatus for operations. Although turning fire apparatus around may not be
difficult in adequate space, it becomes more complicated in narrow streets or
intersections. However, if street width is adequate and if traffic conditions permit,
the U-turn may be used.
12’
12’
12’
14’
24’
76’
or
(2W+L)
of
vehicle
9

SERPENTINE DRIVING EXERCISE
First Circuit :
Second Circuit:
Starting the first circuit, the driver is required to drive the apparatus along
the left side of the markers in a straight line and stop just beyond the No. 1
marker. Then in one continuous motion, the driver and tiller operator must
back the apparatus between the markers. Start by passing to the left of
No. 1, to the right of No. 2, to the left of No. 3, and to the right of No. 4. At
this point, the driver and tiller operator must stop the vehicle just beyond
the last marker. Next, drive the apparatus forward between the markers
by passing to the left of No. 4, to the right of No. 3, to the left of No. 2, and
the right of No. 1.
After completing the first circuit, the driver and tiller operator must complete a
second circuit, which is the opposite as the first circuit. Drive the apparatus along
the right side of the markers in a straight line and stop just beyond the No. 1
marker. Continue the circuit, passing the markers on the opposite side as the first
circuit.
SERPENTINE BACKING & FORWARD EXERCISE
10

56’ 56’
56’
Forward
Forward
Reverse
An area of approximately 40’ x 224’ is required because the Tiller Quint drives
forward and reverse in a serpentine manner around a row of five cones placed
an equal distance apart. The distance between the cones should be the length
of the tractor/trailer.
11