Wenham Police Officers Receive Specialized Emergency Vehicle Operation Training

The following press release was submitted by Wenham Police Department and the Town of Wenham.

Town Administrator Peter Lombardi and Chief Thomas Perkins are pleased to report that 10 members from the Wenham Police Department received training at an Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) earlier this month to enhance driving skills, ensure safety of officers and the public, and to save money on the municipality’s insurance premiums.

The free preventative training program was held in two locations. Four officers traveled to the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Mass. from Oct. 21-22, while the other six went to the Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) presented the EVOC training.

“This training is an immense benefit to the department,” Chief Perkins said. “Participation allows officers to refine their skills to better protect themselves and the community while behind the wheel.”

EVOC focuses on the safe operation of emergency vehicles. The course encompasses intensive classroom training followed by hands-on exercises that address a number of situations regularly encountered while operating emergency vehicles, including cornering, evasive maneuvers, braking and backing up.

The training also enables drivers to become familiar with and practice these extreme driving maneuvers in a safe, off-road setting – enabling them avoid accidents and become better prepared for real-life emergencies.

Upon completion of EVOC and other MIIA risk- and loss-prevention programs, Wenham is eligible to receive insurance premium credits through the MIIA Rewards Programs.

“It is always a priority for us to provide our public safety officials with a variety of training opportunities that will serve as a benefit to them and our community,” Town Administrator Lombardi said. “In turn, our participation in these kind of programs ensures that we are able to save the town and taxpayers money through a reduction in insurance costs.”