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DPSST Off-Road Vehicle Operator Trainer Course Hosted in Douglas County

Four white trucks on a dirt trail, lined with trees and power lines, in a hilly forest landscape.
Aerial view of a red vehicle on a winding dirt path surrounded by green foliage.
Group of people in a forest setting, standing around a rope and equipment, with a vehicle in the background.
A utility truck on a grassy path under power lines with trees in the background.
White utility truck on a dirt road, surrounded by trees and hills.
A white truck parked on a dirt and grass area with scattered debris around it.
View from inside a red vehicle on a dirt road, surrounded by trees and a clear sky, with electrical towers in the distance.
View from inside a vehicle on a forest trail, with another red vehicle ahead.
Four white trucks on a dirt trail, lined with trees and power lines, in a hilly forest landscape.
Aerial view of a red vehicle on a winding dirt path surrounded by green foliage.
Group of people in a forest setting, standing around a rope and equipment, with a vehicle in the background.
A utility truck on a grassy path under power lines with trees in the background.
White utility truck on a dirt road, surrounded by trees and hills.
A white truck parked on a dirt and grass area with scattered debris around it.
View from inside a red vehicle on a dirt road, surrounded by trees and a clear sky, with electrical towers in the distance.
View from inside a vehicle on a forest trail, with another red vehicle ahead.

The Lookingglass Rural Fire District (LRFD) was honored to host the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) for the Off-Road Vehicle Operator (ORVO) Trainer Course held this past week in Douglas County.

This specialized Train-the-Trainer course brought together instructors and emergency personnel from across Oregon, including representatives from:
Siletz Rural Fire Protection District, Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, North Douglas Fire & EMS, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Glide Rural Fire Protection District, Sutherlin Fire Department, Tenmile Rural Fire District, Rural Metro Fire, and Corvallis Fire Department.

Due to the overwhelming response and strong participation, the class grew larger than anticipated, requiring additional classroom space. LRFD would like to extend a special thank you to the Lookingglass Grange for generously opening their Grange Hall to accommodate part of the classroom instruction. We would also like to thank Champagne Creek for allowing the course to conduct its practical scenario exercises on their property.

Throughout the multi-day program, participants received advanced instruction in:

  • Mechanical sympathy – understanding how to operate emergency vehicles efficiently while minimizing mechanical stress and equipment wear.
  • Self-recovery and apparatus recovery techniques – safe methods to recover stuck or disabled vehicles.
  • Left-foot braking and terrain control.
  • Apparatus limitations and load dynamics.
  • Utilization of spotters and pull-force calculations.

The course emphasized mechanical sympathy as a key element of responsible apparatus operation. By teaching operators to understand and respect the mechanical limits of their vehicles, the training helps departments preserve their equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure that apparatus remain fully operational and ready for any emergency.

Many departments across Oregon routinely operate in rugged off-road environments or encounter such conditions during emergency responses. The knowledge and techniques gained through this program will now be shared with firefighters, engineers, and instructors across the state—enhancing safety, efficiency, and equipment longevity.

LRFD extends our sincere appreciation to DPSST, all of the participating agencies, and the community partners who helped make this training possible. This collaborative effort strengthens emergency response capabilities throughout Douglas County and across Oregon.