Hopkinton Police Complete Emergency Driving Course

Five members of the Hopkinton Police Department received training recently at an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) held at the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, MA on May 14-16. The free preventative training program was designed to enhance police officers’ driving skills, ensure safety of both officers and the public, and save money on the town’s insurance premiums.  

The EVOC comprehensive training program focuses on the safe operation of emergency vehicles. The course includes intensive classroom training followed by hands-on exercises addressing a number of situations regularly encountered while operating emergency vehicles, such as cornering, evasive maneuvers, braking, and backing up. The training enables drivers to become familiar with and practice these extreme driving maneuvers in a safe, off-road setting. The course helps them avoid accidents and become better prepared for real-life emergencies.

"Training is important in all aspects of police work," said Hopkinton Police Chief Edward Lee.  "The Town strives to train its officers at the highest level in order to keep the public safe, manage risk and perform at a high level.  There are many dynamics to operating an emergency vehicle and it is my duty to ensure that all members of our department operate their emergency vehicles in the safest and most efficient manner." 

The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the municipality’s property and casualty insurance provider, presented the EVOC training. Bedford participates in this and other no-cost MIIA training and educational courses to enhance employee safety and reduce risk. Upon completion of this and other MIIA risk- and loss-prevention programs, the municipality is eligible to receive insurance premium credits through the MIIA Rewards Programs.

About MIIA

MIIA is the non-profit member-based insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), insuring nearly 400 cities, towns, and other public entities in the state. In fiscal year 2013, nearly 8,000 city and town employees participated in nearly 400 MIIA-sponsored technical trainings and management seminars offered throughout the state. Member municipalities' efforts yielded more than $2.5 million of premium credit collectively through the MIIA Rewards incentive program for an 11-year total of $19.8 million. For more information please visit www.emiia.org and www.mma.org.