FAAC Commercial News

Most of the time, when we talk about “situational awareness training” we’re strictly imagining use-of-force situations for law enforcement. But situational awareness is much larger than just split-second shoot/don’t shoot decisions. Situational awareness guides how an officer initially assesses the scene—and thus allows them to quickly determine if a suspect is non-compliant or simply hearing … Continued

  In terms of officer safety and survival, driving and use-of-force are the two most critical skills. The threat of violence on the job is obvious, and given how much time officers spend in their cars, it’s no surprise that for most U.S. law enforcement officers, driving is a more consistent threat than firearms. But … Continued

Over the last several decades, accidents of all types and especially driving accidents have become increasingly deadly for law enforcement.  Today, in much of the United States, an officer is nearly as likely to be killed or injured by a car than by a perp with a gun. Writing for a 2002 FBI Law Enforcement … Continued

As Jared Stancil, a VP at Nashville-based Anchor Tours, told a reporter back in 2013, “We have already invested a lot of time and energy in the drivers we have hired, and it is becoming increasingly harder to replace them. This is a very tough market for us to find quality drivers.” Conditions haven’t changed. … Continued

  Fighting fires is obviously dangerous, but the public often overlooks how dangerous it can be. From the past year: “member suffered a seizure during training, resulting in a very serious fall” “nearly fatal electrical shock during a training exercise” “firefighter trainee killed while participating in a live-fire exercise when he and two other firefighters … Continued

Grand River Transit (GRT) bus operators are practicing their driving skills using a new driver simulator. It’s located at the Strasburg Road facility in Kitchener. In order to create a realistic virtual environment, the simulator was built using actual bus parts. The software is programmed using real bus and roadway dimensions, as well as vehicle … Continued

  According to Phil Duczyminski, a training officer for the City of Novi (Michigan) Fire Department, there are many factors working against the most effective possible fire pump training. First and foremost, there are huge disincentives to tying up equipment doing something other than fighting a fire. Duczyminski ticks these off: “Taking a truck out … Continued

Mass transit has an image problem. This is a physically demanding job that is as challenging, in many regards, as flying an airplane without the cultural cachet. “I come from the defense industry,” explains Zerry Hogan, an expert in transit and transportation training and simulation. “I started out teaching weapons systems officer training to pilots.  … Continued

A consultant with the Texas Association of Counties instructed about 20 drivers over a two-day period at the Pct. 4 Barn in Kilgore. Pct. 4 Commissioner Shannon Brown invited the TAC after learning about the service, which has shown to practically eliminate driving incidents within the first six months of training, driving simulator consultant Don … Continued

This is an absolutely heart-breaking account of a needless, life-changing on-site injury:   “For nearly a decade, Dane Smothers Jr. fixated on becoming a D.C. firefighter.    And he stuck with it, despite hurdles.    …   He wore that uniform only once. Mere months into the firefighting job, his dream career nearly killed him. … Continued