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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: jtlindsey1@aol.com
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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

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