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The need for the I4WDTA®
and professional standards
- Various interest groups challenge the right to use roads on public lands for 4-wheel drive
expeditions. Having a nationally recognized professional Association certifying trainers in safe 4-wheel drive driving techniques and environmental awareness can be a very powerful argument in the future that these trails must remain open to properly trained drivers, much as highways are available to properly licensed drivers.
- Certification is required in other areas and, in the future will most probably be required in 4-wheel drive training. For example, the U.S. Park Service, in some locations, requires river guides be trained in wilderness First-Aid techniques in order to guide river expeditions. In time,
the same may well happen in the 4-wheel drive training industry; trainers may have to be certified and each driver may
be required to have training.
- I4WDTA® follows the pattern already established by the medical profession. Recognizing
that the U.S. government wanted guides on
federal lands to be trained in wilderness
medical techniques, the medical profession decided to regulate itself by establishing
training
programs, and therefore standards, in wilderness medicine. I4WDTA® embraces
self-regulation in the 4-wheel drive training industry by establishing a rigorous certification
program that will promote driving safety, enhance environmental awareness, and increase
everyone's enjoyment of the back-country roads.
The point to be made is we have a choice
-- self-imposed standards and self-regulation, or the heavy
hand of government.
Why should a
4WD trainer become
certified by the I4WDTA®?
Certification confirms the highest level of qualification that verifies a
specific level of knowledge, skill and ability.
Certification provides members' opportunities for networking, sharing,
learning, growth, and building alliances. Each I4WDTA® Member
Trainer will always have their own training style, but membership allows us
to understand these individual styles and help us to be
more
well-rounded trainers.
One of
the I4WDTA® goals is to become accredited by the U.S. government.
This will give Certified I4WDTA®
Member Trainers a voice
to promote standards and policies and to influence the industry, government,
and policymakers.
If one wants to be a responsible 4-wheel drive trainer, promoting safety, protecting the environment, and helping to ensure that back
county roads remain open for responsible 4-wheel drive use, for future
generations, now is the time to become part of the
I4WDTA®.
Assure your clients and prospective clients that, as an
I4WDTA®
Certified Trainer, you have met the highest quality industry standards.
Requirements to
become a
Certified I4WDTA® Trainer To be a member of this Association, one must be an established 4-wheel drive trainer, whether with a club, a corporation, or privately, with a minimum of 3-years' verifiable training experience and have basic First Aid/CPR certification or higher. If you are 18 years or older and meet these requirements, follow these steps:
Step 1. Print and fill out the
APPLICATION (click on link), sign it and mail it in to address on form with the Application fee, a copy of your First-Aid certificate, your resume, and curriculum for a one-day 4-wheel drive class.
Once we receive this information, if you meet the basic requirements as an
established 4-wheel drive trainer, we will email you a list of certified
trainers. You will need to set up an appointment to take the written and
field evaluations.
Step 2. Fulfill the evaluation testing requirements, which includes a 200-question written exam and a stringent field evaluation.
Your score on the written and field exercises will be combined. Your
professional training history will be evaluated and verified. Your First-Aid
certification will be verified. Once all of this information is confirmed,
you will be notified about your membership. At this time, a check
for your yearly dues is due and payable. Dues will be pro-rated from
November of each year. There are additional stringent requirements for Master
Level certification.
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