New Emergency Vehicle Driver Training coming in 2025!

In 1976, the VFIS team set out to help address one of the most-common, and sometimes most-overlooked, risks that first responders face each day: driving. That's when we developed the first-ever Emergency Vehicle Driver Training (EVDT) program—and it quickly became (and has remained) the gold-standard for driver training in the industry.

We're honored that so many of you have taken the course—and that some of you have even taken steps to become instructors so that you can spread the training's important best practices even further. Together, we've aided in saving countless lives, and that's something to be proud of.

However, when it comes to driver training in emergency services—the work is never done. Especially when you consider that the NFPA reports that 19 firefighters lost their lives while responding-to or returning-from incidents in 2023, which is the highest amount since 2008. Further, the National Safety Council reports that there's been a slight upward trend of EMS vehicle-related fatalities—with 40 deaths in 2022 alone.

That's why we're launching an updated EVDT program that's designed to help address the modern risks of emergency vehicle operations and simplify processes to make the course more streamlined than ever.

New curriculum

The updated course will address best practices for both fire and EMS vehicles and includes several new resources, topics and modules to help inform vehicle operators of modern risks and techniques, including information related to resource management, alternative fuel, scene safety, UTVs/ATVs, CDL requirements and more.

The Competency Course has also been refreshed to include a spotter evaluation skill test, which is especially important when you consider that fixed object strikes remain the most common claim that VFIS clients experience.

Changes & updates for instructors

There will be several updates for instructors—and we thank you in advance for your cooperation during this transition process. These changes are designed to help simplify processes in the long-run and ensure that the very significant role of instructing this vital course remains in capable hands.

New: Instructor Portal on VFIS University

There will be a new Instructor Portal on VFIS University that contains educational content for instructors, as well as the content needed to teach the EVDT course, including the PowerPoint presentation and instructor notes.

You'll also be responsible for enrolling each of your students into VFIS University so that they can access the reference materials, as well as validating their course completion so that they can print their certificates.

Please look for an email from VFIS in the coming months that will give you detailed instructions on how to register for the Portal. If you need to update your current email address to help ensure you receive instructor notifications, please reach out to csapps@vfis.com.

Eligibility to teach VFIS' EVDT program

Depending on when you completed your instructor-level EVDT course through VFIS, you must complete new curriculum in order for you to remain eligible to teach the program.

• If you participated in an instructor-level EVDT/EMSVO course after 2016, you must complete new online curriculum by March 31, 2025.

• If you participated in an instructor-level EVDT/EMSVO course before 2016 and completed the 2016 update, you must complete new online curriculum by March 31, 2025.

• If you participated in an instructor-level EVDT/EMSVO course before 2016 and did not complete the 2016 update, you must attend an in-person instructor-level EVDT program with VFIS prior to instructing the course.

If you qualify for the online curriculum update, that content will be available through the Instructor Portal starting in December. It will be free to all VFIS clients and instructors who have taken (or will take) the EVDT course in 2024. Otherwise, there is one-time $100 fee for non-client instructors.

Moving forward, instructors will be required to fulfill annual continuing education (CE) in order to remain eligible to teach the course. CE will be assigned in the Instructor Portal each July and must be completed by the end of that calendar year. CE will be free for all VFIS EVDT instructors.

Find an instructor-level EVDT program near you

If you need to attend an in-person EVDT course in order to remain eligible to teach the new program—or if you haven't taken the instructor-level EVDT course yet but you're interested in joining the VFIS instructor network—please check out our in-person training calendar, available through the Training + Resources Portal on vfis.com, to see our current schedule and find an in-person learning opportunity near you.

Please note this opportunity is designed for those who would like to learn the methodology to teach the VFIS EVDT course. Instructors should already have a training/teaching background, are experienced EV operators and have completed the student-level EVDT course.

Each VFIS-insured organization can designate three participants to attend each class for free, including the instructor-level EVDT course. Additional participants and participants of non-insured organizations can sign up for any course for a fee.

We're grateful to be able to serve as a trusted partner and additional training arm to so many emergency service organizations and first responders—and hope to continue to help you address your ever-changing needs and risks. Thank you for prioritizing safety and for all that you do.