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First Responder Defensive Driving Tactics

Topics covered in the First Responder Defensive Driving Tactics course are essential steps toward minimizing accidents and enhancing public safety

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

Course Overview

In 2022, crashes involving emergency vehicles resulted in 224 deaths. Of these, 50% were occupants of non-emergency vehicles, 22% were pedestrians, 16% were emergency vehicle drivers, and 8% were emergency vehicle passengers. Police vehicles accounted for the majority of these deaths (149), followed by ambulances (40) and fire trucks (35). 

Law enforcement driving accidents, especially those resulting from high-speed pursuits, pose significant safety challenges. While pursuits can be necessary for apprehending suspects along with responding to Emergency Situations, these pursuits and emergency responses must be conducted with careful consideration of the associated risks and driving with due regard. 

Topics covered in the First Responder Defensive Driving Tactics course are essential steps toward minimizing accidents and enhancing public safety along with the ongoing evaluation of pursuit policies, continuous officer training, and the integration of new technologies.

What's included?

Topics covered in minimizing accidents and enhancing public safety along with the ongoing evaluation of pursuit policies, continuous officer training, and the integration of new technologies.
  • Risky Driving Behaviors
  • Safe Driving skills
  • Accident-Avoidance Techniques 
  • Commentary Driving
  • Emergency Response Tactics 
  •  Vehicle Inspections & Safety Technology 
  • Legal Liabilities

Course Curriculum

Meet the instructor

Jay Delarosa

Jay Delarosa began his law enforcement career in Chicago, Illinois with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department in 2003. During his three years at the Cook County Jail, he worked Corrections, External Operations, High-Risk inmate supervision, Intake & Processing.

In 2006, Jay was hired by the Chicago Police Department. During his first 3 years with CPD, Jay worked Patrol, Mission Teams, and Incident Teams at the 7th District in Chicago’s Englewood Area. In 2009, Jay became a Gang Officer within the Organized Crime Division assigned to the west side of Chicago where he was responsible for maintaining Street Gang Hierarchy’s, gathering Gang intelligence, executing search warrants, while handling and registering confidential informants. During his time with the Organized Crime Division, he worked on numerous joint missions with DEA, HIDTA, ATF & FBI.

 In 2020, Jay became an Instructor at the Chicago Police Academy, teaching subject matters such as Use of Force, 4th Amendment, Procedural Justice, Taser and Emergency Vehicle Operations courses. Jay is a subject matter expert in Emergency Vehicle Operations Policy and is often called upon to serve as an expert witness in Tort Liability cases.

Jay is a graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph, with a B.S. in Public Safety Administration. Jay is currently attending DePaul University (College of Law) and will graduate in May, 2025 with a Master of Legal Studies in Criminal Law. He is also a Graduate of the Department of Homeland Security, (Law Enforcement Driver Instructor Program) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. Additionally, Jay is also licensed teacher by the Illinois State Board of Education and a part-time Defensive Driving instructor for the National Safety Council, teaching Traffic Safety courses at local Colleges & Universities.
Patrick Jones - Course author