By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Long first responders hone driving skills
MR LPD training
Police officers and firefighters in Long County sit through one of the class presentations in the driving class. - photo by Photo by Mike Riddle
LUDOWICI — The Ludowici Police Department and the Ludowici/Long County Volunteer Fire Department recently conducted driver training to help hone their skills as emergency first responders.
Public safety driving instructor Kevin Weigand brought down a simulator, which was presented through the Local Government Risk Management Services.
According to Weigand, the simulator could put first responders in 80 different scenarios.
The training was set up by the LPD, and Chief Richard Robertson invited the fire department to attend.
The LPD had all of its officers go through the training and, according to Robertson, the simulator was realistic.
“The simulator puts drivers in a controlled environment, and throws things at them that they don’t routinely see. It is really good training,” the chief said.
The training starts in a classroom led by Weigand and then moves to the simulator.
According to L/LCFD Chief Darrell Ballance his department had 20 firefighters go through the training.
“It was good training, and we were lucky to be able to be part of the training, because there is about a two year wait to set it up with a department,” he said.
LPD Officer Diane Duncan said, “It was excellent training. Going through it made me think of things that I would not have thought of, by just going through a class.”
Sign up for our e-newsletters