In the past, there was a separation between EMTs and ambulance drivers. The line is blurred now, and driving an ambulance is one of the EMT’s job responsibilities.
To become an EMT, a person must undergo rigorous training and study to learn the necessary skills to save lives. Unfortunately, there isn’t as much time invested in ensuring they can drive an ambulance safely.
Learn more about why emergency vehicle operations courses that include driving simulators can help EMTs be better at saving lives.
Do You Need Extra Training to Drive an Ambulance?
Driving an ambulance isn’t the same as driving a car or even a pickup truck. Ambulance drivers must be comfortable navigating a 14,000-pound emergency vehicle through heavy traffic and any weather or road condition while keeping safety in mind.
Each state has different regulations, and less than half of the states require an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC). Unfortunately, with the lack of requirements in most states and EVOC training not providing meaningful behind-the-wheel experience, not all ambulance drivers are prepared to operate an emergency vehicle. This lack of practical experience and training directly affects the 6,500 accidents and 33 average annual fatalities caused by ambulance crashes.
What Does EVOC Cover?
Various education companies, trainers, and providers offer EVOC, but most commonly, the training consists of a video or electronic course covering the theory of driving an emergency vehicle. During these courses, students watch videos about key principles of driving an ambulance and the characteristics of emergency vehicles. Such videos demonstrate the theory of how to be a safe and defensive driver and avoid things like a vehicle rollover, but they provide no behind-the-wheel experience.
EVOC courses are great at teaching EMTs the theory of safe driving, but they work best when paired with a driving simulator to provide a safe way to test and apply those theories.
Why Is a Driving Simulator Necessary in Driver Training Programs?
Videos and theory are insufficient training to make someone a safe driver. Just like watching episodes of Bob Ross won’t make you an accomplished artist, it’s impossible to expect students to learn how to be safe drivers by only watching videos.
The safest and best drivers have more than just knowledge; they have practical experience behind the wheel. Safe drivers understand more than just the theory of how to drive in icy conditions safely—they know how it feels to skid on an icy road and how to compensate for it correctly.
A driving simulator helps students gain valuable experience behind the wheel without risking people or property. Students using a driving simulator can learn how to safely operate an ambulance in a secured and controlled environment which helps them become better at their jobs.
What Are the Benefits of Simulation Training for EMTs?
Including a simulator driver training program for EMTs helps them become safer drivers and reduces accident rates.
Simulators make ambulance drivers more effective at their jobs, mitigate risk, and reduce costs associated with managing incident insurance claims and repairs. By giving drivers experience behind the wheel in accurate real-world situations, they can practice and gain the needed skills to become safe drivers. Simulation training for EMTs also saves money.
When paired with existing EVOC training, simulators combine expert instructors and practical experience without paying for gas, removing a vehicle from the fleet, and risking damage.
Choose L3Harris Driver Training Services
L3Harris Driver Training Services provide an immersive, hands-on experience for drivers to improve their skills. Find out more about how simulation-based training can make EVOC training more effective by contacting us today.
