Register for Fleet Safety Training this Fall

We do it every day, and it’s one of the most hazardous tasks we undertake — driving. Many variables impact our ability to do it well and safely, such as weather, the vehicle and our skill in handling that vehicle. While everyone can benefit from skills training, it becomes even more important when transporting patrons and performing snow removal operations.

“PDRMA focuses its driver education training on the specific needs of members, including fleet safety, patron transportation and snow plow operations,” explains Bill Hooker, PDRMA Training Program Supervisor. “In addition to our own classes, we partner with Northern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) to provide a course specifically for snow plow operators.”

Defensive Driving and Fleet Safety Program

Although there are factors beyond your control when you drive, this class identifies the proactive measures you can take, including:

• Basic pre-trip vehicle inspection.
• Steps to minimize vehicle blind spots.
• Consequences of distracted driving.
• 360 vehicle walk through to save lives.

The class is designed for drivers of any vehicle and is available in September and October this year. Click the links below to register.

15 Passenger Van and Shuttle Bus

Transporting patrons to recreational events and programs can be a high-risk activity. Driving a 15-passenger van or shuttle bus requires additional skills than simply driving a car. This program targets those specific training needs, unique features of and best practices for operating vans and shuttle buses such as:

• Defensive driving.
• Vehicle characteristics.
• Speed and maneuverability.
• Backing up and blind spots.
• 3 Points of Contact.
• Transport/management of passengers.
• Emergency response.

This course is available this fall for drivers of 15-passenger vans and shuttle buses. Click the links below to register.

Snow Plow Operator Training

There are unique challenges associated with driving a snow plow that require operators to be highly skilled defensive drivers. To help members address this need, PDRMA has two options available.

“We offer a subsidy to members for snow plow courses at NIPSTA’s Glenview location,” Hooker says. “PDRMA members can register for the ‘non-member’ rate, submit a certificate of completion and receive a $50 reimbursement.”

To make this course more accessible to members, PDRMA is creating a regional Snow Plow Driver Training Program and will offer one training in the far-west suburbs and one in the south suburbs.

“The content of the regional training is similar to what’s included in the Glenview class, with both classroom and hands-on activities,” he adds.

You can register for snow plow classes from the PDRMA Training Calendar or by clicking the links below.