Trade organization requests exemption from driving rules for shower and catering vendors

An association that represents about 30 vendors who supply shower and catering services at wildland fires is seeking a modification of certain hours-of-service rules when they en route to a fire. These companies provide hot showers and on site meals for wildland firefighters while they are working on fires, usually in the Western United States.

The National Mobile Shower & Catering Association (NMSCA) submitted to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) a request to modify the Federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules for their commercial motor vehicle drivers while they are traveling to an assignment under a Resource Order:

1.  Extend the 14-hour duty period to no more than 16 hours;
2. Not include “waiting time” while not performing duties in the calculation of the 16-hour duty period;
3. Not comply with the minimum 30-minute rest break provision;
4. Extend the maximum 60 hours on duty in any 7-day period to 80 hours on duty in any 7-day period;
5. Extend the 11 hours of driving time to 12 hours; and,
6. Extend the “8 days in 30” exception in the electronic logging device (ELD) rule to “12 days in 30.”

The FMCSA is requesting public comment on the NMSCA application for exemption, which must be received on or before December 27, 2018. Instructions for commenting are at the Federal Register.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Bob.
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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. View all posts by Bill Gabbert