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As in other essential fields, we’re running low on firefighters.  Erik Johnson of the Guadalupe County (Texas) Firefighters Association recently told KSAT News, “Across the board, we are seeing a shortage nationally of volunteer firefighters.” Roughly 70% of fire departments nationwide are volunteer-based, and part of the pipeline that feeds career fire departments as well. … Continued

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT), almost all bus crashes can be attributed to one of four types of bad habits: Inattention Distraction Haste Misjudgments The DoT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “concluded that human errors by bus drivers, other vehicle drivers, … Continued

It may seem counter-intuitive, but one of the key advantages of a simulation-based high-speed pursuit training program is more crashes. THE VALUE OF SIMULATED CRASHES IN HIGH SPEED PURSUIT TRAINING A car crash is a highly instructive experience. We already know that “‘learning by doing’ only works so long as the feedback from our actions … Continued

The 2009 volume of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training’s (POST’s) Driver Training Study lists six police pursuit training “best practices.” But one vital skill is missing. Can you spot it? 1) Use “hybrid training.” This should combine both behind-the-wheel closed-course driving and advanced police pursuit training simulators. 2) Adopt advanced technology. … Continued

  NEW BRITAIN — Police Sgt. Thomas Gray adjusts the patrol car’s seat, straps on the seat belt, shifts into drive and begins a lights-and-siren emergency run across town. Rush-hour traffic makes it more of a maze than a race, and Gray gets bounced around a bit as he swerves past a bus, brakes fast … Continued

According to POST (California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training), California law enforcement are injured in roughly 700 automobile collisions each year. Conventional wisdom holds that it is younger officers who get into the most high-speed pursuit accidents, either because of inexperience, poor judgement, poor control of their emotions, or a combination of all … Continued

“Simulator sickness” is a persistent issue in many high speed pursuit training programs, and can really derail a session. Simulator sickness (also called “simulator adaptation syndrome” or “SAS”) has been an issue for as long as there have been modern vehicle simulators. (Trainers first noted this cocktail of nausea, headaches, cold-sweats, and eye strain in … Continued