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safety policy for bicycle patrol Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Bicycle Patrol and Bicycle Patrol Instructor Safety Policy 1. Training Facility a. Bicycle Patrol and Bicycle Patrol Instructor courses begin at a dedicated training room within the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety located at: 500 City Center Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928 b. The training room consists of approximately 1,200 square feet (30’ x 40’) of traditional classroom space with tables and chairs. The room is climate controlled and has adequate ventilation. c. The facility includes restrooms, water fountains and separate locker rooms for male and female students, each with showers. d. Hand-sanitizer dispensers are accessible at access points at various locations to minimize the spread of germs. Masks are encouraged and available upon request. e. The training room has a readily accessible first-aid/trauma kit and AED. f. The facility has multiple fire extinguishers that are readily accessible, including one located just outside the training room. g. The facility has telephones and radios readily available for emergency communications. h. The condition of the facility and equipment is continuously monitored by instructional staff for any safety hazards. i. Instructors should conduct site inspections of all course locations prior to initiating riding drills or scenarios. j. Instructors should monitor soil, pavement and weather conditions at the training sites throughout the course. i. Unexpected soil conditions or environmental changes can radically impact the integrity of a riding course. Instructors may need to alter the training pace, change locations or suspend riding exercises when site condition become hazardous. k. Students will go on rides throughout the City of Rohnert Park and Sonoma County. They may start or stop at any one of the following locations. 1100 Valley House Drive Rohnert Park, CA 94928 5405 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park, CA 94928 5450 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park, CA 94928 6400 State Farm Drive 1 | Page Revision Date: 10/2022 Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Bicycle Patrol and Bicycle Patrol Instructor Safety Policy Rohnert Park, CA 94928 6750 Commerce Blvd Rohnert Park, CA 94928 7421 Burton Ave Rohnert Park, Ca 94928 5400 Snyder Lane Rohnert Park, CA 94928 3820 Petaluma Hill Road Santa Rosa, CA 95404 6201 Channel Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95409 Petaluma Ave Sebastopol, CA 95472 2. Safety Rules a. Safety rules contained in the lesson plan are taught during the training classes and are re-emphasized prior to each active training session. Each student receives a copy of the safety rules. These safety rules are also posted on the City of Rohnert Park website for individuals to review prior to engaging in the exercises. b. Course design and site selection for training drills and skills simulations should address the following considerations: i. Minimum obstructions ii. Minimum interference from other training exercises iii. Minimum margin for “run out” areas adjacent to exercises iv. Accessibility to Fire, Rescue and other emergency vehicles c. Course design and site selection for off-road rides should address the following considerations: i. A course which is clearly marked 2 | Page Revision Date: 10/2022 Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Bicycle Patrol and Bicycle Patrol Instructor Safety Policy ii. Options for students will lesser skill levels iii. Presence of other trail users d. This Safety Policy should be re-emphasized to students immediately prior to riding exercises. e. Instructors should be aware of physical factors which affect the ability of the student to ride safety. i. Instructors should be aware that long periods of training can unduly fatigue participants and increase accident potential. Extreme heat, high smog levels, or similar environmental conditions dramatically increase student fatigue. f. Instructors should maintain an appropriate level of discipline over students at all times. i. Instructors should consistently maintain a professional atmosphere during training and hold student accountable for all published rules of conduct. g. Instructors should identify physical conditioning recommendations and specific performance expectations when advertising course. i. Bicycle patrol training courses require strenuous physical exertion and intensive cardio-vascular activity. Advance publication of performance expectations and physical conditioning standards may reduce premature fatigue and injury potential. 3. Student Expectations a. Students are expected to report all injuries to instructional staff as soon as reasonably possible. b. Students are expected to act responsibly and to conduct themselves in the classroom in a way that does not disrupt the learning process. c. Students are expected to arrive to class with their department issued bicycles in working order. d. Students are expected to arrive to class with a reasonable fitness level. 4. Instructor Qualifications and Requirements a. All bicycle patrol instructors shall have completed a bicycle patrol course and have experience as part of a bicycle patrol team. b. New instructors must shadow tenured bicycle patrol instructors and begin instruction only after demonstrating expertise in all phases of training. c. Instructors shall adhere to the approved lesson plan and expanded course outline as filed with POST to ensure consistency and continuity. Instructors shall demonstrate an attitude of safety and exhibit a professional demeanor at all times. d. Proposed additions or changes in course content shall be reviewed by the presenter BEFORE a course begins. The presenter shall carefully evaluate the additions or changes before any approved changes are made. e. Changes in course content which impact the Expanded Course Outline will be submitted to P.O.S.T. for approval before implementation. f. At all times at least one instructor on-site shall be certified in First Aid and CPR/AED. 5. Instructor to Student Ratios 3 | Page Revision Date: 10/2022 Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Bicycle Patrol and Bicycle Patrol Instructor Safety Policy a. Instructor to student ratio should not exceed five to one during practical exercises. i. Riding skills such as panic stopping, stair climbing, sliding dismounts, etc. suggest the need for additional student supervision. For these skills the instructor to student ratio should not exceed either to two. b. Instructors should consider the use of additional spotters to monitor course conditions and bicycle movements during off-road rides. i. The ability to monitor bicycle movement throughout the training location is fundamental to student safety. 6. Equipment a. Instructors will ensure student bicycles are in safe working condition, and students carry any equipment needed to make repairs. i. Pre-inspection of student bicycles should minimally address the following areas: 1. Braking system 2. Bearing sets 3. Seat Position 4. Drive train b. Bicycles used for bicycle patrol training should be the All-Terrain (ATB) design and of adequate structural integrity to withstand the rigors of police training. c. Instructors shall ensure bicycles used for bicycle patrol training are properly sized to the rider. i. Bicycle frames which are too large or too small for the rider are inherently unsafe. Generally, the rider should be able to place their feet flat on the ground when standing astride the bicycle’s top tube. d. Instructors will carry a readily accessible first-aid/trauma kit and AED during rides away from Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. e. Instructors will ensure students are hydrated and carry sufficient water and food to fuel them throughout the course. f. Instructors shall require students to use appropriate personal safety equipment at all times while operating their bicycles during training. Equipment should minimally include the following: i. An ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or Snell-approved bicycle helmet. ii. Shatter-resistant glasses iii. Gloves or appropriate palm protection. g. Bicycles used for night riding exercises should be equipped with appropriate front and rear lights. i. Front lights should be at least 10 watts and rear lights should be visible for at least 1,000 feet. h. Presenters should identify appropriate clothing standards for students in bicycle patrol training courses. i. Particular riding conditions or the specific time of year that training is presented may dictate the need for thermal clothing, riding tights, rainwear or other specific items. 7. Student Injuries 4 | Page Revision Date: 10/2022 Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Bicycle Patrol and Bicycle Patrol Instructor Safety Policy a. Students are required to immediately report all injuries to the instruction staff. b. Certain injuries may necessitate an immediate stop action of any training activities. In case of an injury requiring emergency medical assistance, 9-1-1 shall be called immediately. c. Students requiring immediate medical attention will be transported to: Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital 1165 Montgomery Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95405 (707) 546-3210 d. Instructors will make appropriate notification to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Training Sergeant when an injury requiring more than basic first aid occurs during training. i. Other notifications will include student emergency notification and employing agency notification. ii. Student emergency notification cards/ information will be obtained and kept on file for each student enrolled in the course. e. A full investigation will be conducted of any student injury requiring more than basic first aid. Instructors shall be required to complete an accident/injury report and document details associate the student injury. i. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety Training Division’s POST Regional Consultant shall be notified in writing within 5 business days when an injury requiring more than basic first aid occurs during training. f. Students shall be asked to identify any injuries or pre-existing medical restrictions that may affect their ability to safely participate in training. g. A student shall be required to provide evidence of medical fitness for training if the instructor has doubts as to the student’s ability to perform safely. h. Responsibility for student safety and the decision as to whether a student shall participate in training rests with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. When doubt exists as to the student’s ability to perform safety, the student will be excluded from training. i. Students who are relieved from training as a result of an injury shall not be allowed to resume training without an appropriate medical release. A medical evaluation and clearance shall be required if a student loses consciousness during a training event. j. Injury patterns and trends shall be reviewed periodically to identify and eliminate any hazardous conditions that may be contribution to student injuries. 5 | Page Revision Date: 10/2022