Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T05:55:55.507Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of Simulation on Emergency Vehicle Drivers' Competency in Training

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Jeffrey T. Lindsey  and
Ann E. Barron
Jeffrey T. Lindsey*
Affiliation:
University of South Florida, Estero, Florida, USA
Ann E. Barron
Affiliation:
University of South Florida, Estero, Florida, USA
*
15892 Melody Lane Dumfries, VA 22025 USA E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction:

The number of accidents involving emergency vehicles is a major concern for emergency service providers.

Objectives:

This study assessed the effectiveness of adding a driving simulator to a traditional training program.

Methods:

The sample consisted of students attending the National Emergency Medical Services Academy in Lafayette, Louisiana. Each participant self-scheduled two days in which he or she would attend the driving portion of the training class. A total of 52 participants were in the control group and 50 participants were in the treatment group. In addition to the classroom training, the treatment group used a driving simulator prior to driving on the competency course.

Results:

The treatment group took significantly less time to drive through the competency course on the first run than did the control group. It also acquired significantly fewer penalty points on the first run and required significantly fewer runs to complete the course.

Conclusions:

Simulators can be effective training tools for teaching emergency vehicle drivers.

Keywords

ambulancesdrivingemergencysimulationvehicle
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 4 , August 2008 , pp. 361 - 368
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Federal Emergency Management Agency: Trends and hazards in firefighter training. Special Report; 2003. Technical Report Series USFA-TR-100. FEMA, Washington DC.Google Scholar
2.Green, SD: Arrive alive—Drive safely. Every Second Counts 2002;4(3):14–17.Google Scholar
3.Allen, RW, Park, G, Cook, M et al. : Novice driver training results and experience with a PC based simulator. Available at http://ppc.uiowa.edu/drivingassessment/2003/Summaries/Downloads/Final_Papers/PDF/37_Allenform at.pdf. Accessed 09 July 2008.Google Scholar
4.Pierowicz, JA, Robin, J, Gawron, VJ: Re-assessment of driving simulators for the training, testing, and licensing of commercial vehicle drivers. In: International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design. Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colorado, 14–17 August 2001.Google Scholar
5.Rimini-Doering, M, Manstetten, D, Altmueller, T et al. : Monitoring driver drowsiness and stress in a driving simulator. In: International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design. Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colorado, 14–17 August 2001.Google Scholar
6.Olsen, EB: Evaluating driver performance on the road and in a simulator, in Human Factors/Ergonomics Program. 1996, San Jose State University: San Jose.Google Scholar
7.Brock, JF, Jacobs, C., Buchter, R: Design of a guidebook for the acquisition and use of driving simulators for training transit bus operators. In: International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design. Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colorado, 14–17 August 2001.Google Scholar
8.Allen, RW, Cook, M, Rosenthal, TJ: Low cost PC simulation technology applied to novice driver training. International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design, Snowmass Village at Aspen, Colorado, 14–17 August 2001.Google Scholar
9.Kantowitz, BH: Using microworlds to design intelligent interfaces that minimize driver distraction. In: International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training and Vehicle Design. 2001.Google Scholar
10.Wetzel, M: Virtual driving. Inside Technology Training 2000;(July/August):30–32.Google Scholar
11.Ross, F: Put the AI in training. Fire Chief 2002;(March):74–78.Google Scholar
12.Trochim, W: Advances in quasi-experimental design and analysis. New directions for program evaluation. Available at http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/advquasi.php. Accessed 09 July 2008.Google Scholar
13.Kemper, EA, Stringfield, S, Teddlie, C: Mixed Methods Sampling Strategies in Social Science Research. In: A, Tashakkori, Teddlie, C (eds): Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and Behavioral Research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc., 2003, pp 273–296.Google Scholar
14.Klein, LJ, Lane, SC, Steffens, JT: Emergency Vehicle Driver Training Program. 4th ed.York, Pennsylvania: VFIS, 1997.Google Scholar
15.NFPA 1002: Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications. Batterymarch Park, MA: National Fire Protection Agency, 1998.Google Scholar
16.Alessi, SM, Trollip, SR: Simulations, in Multimedia for learning. Needham Heights, Massachusetts: Pearson Education Company, 2001 pp 213–269.Google Scholar
17.Carliner, S: Demonstrating the Effectiveness and Value of Technical Communication Products and Services: A Four-Level Process. Available at www.fredcomm.com/articles/value/kirkpatr.htm.Google Scholar
18.Mills, KC, Hubal, RC: Correlational data that support a constructive assessment of driving skills. Research Triangle Institute, 2001. Available at http://www.rti.org/pubs/Correlational_Data.pdf. Accessed 09 July 2008.Google Scholar
19.Kenworthy, T: “US seems resigned to gas costs”, USA Today May 2004Google Scholar