DFRS

POLICES & PROCEDURES
Department Of Fire & Rescue Services
Montgomery County, MD

SAFE DRIVER AWARD
PROGRAM


 
 
No. 501.2
July 24, 1995

PURPOSE
1.0 To recognize certified emergency response drivers who have demonstrated at least 5 years of preventable accident/incident free driving as of January 1, 1995.

APPLICABILITY
2.0 All uniformed members of the Department at the ranks of Master Firefighter/Rescuer, Firefighter III and Firefighter II.
2.1
This policy was developed in cooperation with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 1664.

DEFINITIONS
3.0 AIRC - Acronym for the DFRS Accident/Incident Review Committee
3.1 Emergency Response Driver - A Master Firefighter/Rescuer, Firefighter/Rescuer III or Firefighter/Rescuer II certified to drive an engine, truck, tower, rescue squad, EMS unit or other emergency vehicle.
3.2 Preventable Accident - An accident where the DFRS driver was found at fault or did not take any possible precautions. "Preventable" is determined by the Accident/Incident Review Committee.

POLICY
4.0 Safe driving practices are an essential component of providing life safety.
4.1 This policy will use tangible awards to recognize, reinforce, and encourage the importance of driving and operating emergency vehicles safely.
4.2 Awards are specified for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 consecutive years of safe driving.
4.3 Drivers must not be involved in a "preventable" accident for consecutive calendar years to qualify for a safe driver award.
4.4 Drivers involved in a preventable accident will not begin to accumulate safe driving years until the beginning of the next calendar year. Example: a Firefighter III accumulates 2 years and 8 months of safe driving. The firefighter is involved in an accident. The AIRC determines the accident is preventable (with or without points assessed). The firefighter's safe driving time to date is cancelled. In January of the next year, the firefighter begins to accumulate safe driving time again.
4.5 Award categories

a. 3 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate and pin

b. 5 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate, pin, and baseball style cap.

c. 7 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate, pin, and baseball style cap.

d. 10 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate and pin, 14 hours annual leave, and US Savings Bonds totalling $150.

e. 15 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate and pin, 24 hours annual leave, and US Savings Bonds totalling $150.

f. 20 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate and pin, 48 hours annual leave, and US Savings Bonds totalling $150.

g. 25 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate and pin, 48 hours annual leave, and US Savings Bonds totalling $200.

h. 30 consecutive years safe driving - award certificate and pin, 48 hours annual leave, and US Savings Bonds totalling $200.
4.6 Monetary awards are dependent on available funding.
4.7 The AIRC must issue an Information Bulletin in January of each year recognizing the quality points accumulated by the Department's Emergency Response Drivers.

PROCEDURE
5.0 The AIRC will compile a list identifying potential awardees in January of each year.
5.1 The employee's supervisor will be consulted to confirm that the employee has been assigned to drive on a routine basis.
5.2 In March of each year, the District Shift Captains will present safe driving awards to personnel accumulating 3, 5, and 7 years of safe driving. Duty Chiefs (or above) will present awards to drivers with 10, 15 and 20 years of safe driving. The Director and Emergency Services Bureau Chief must be notified of presentation dates.