TAMC, NMCC partner to inform commercial drivers on important law changes

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — New laws that will impact the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driving community go into effect Wednesday, May 21, and TAMC is partnering with NMCC’s continuing education division to host an informational breakfast meeting designed to explain the changes.
The breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. May 21 in NMCC’s Reed Dining Commons.
The new law will require CMV drivers and carriers to receive their medical examinations from certified medical examiners listed on the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Already, the law requires commercial drivers to have a valid medical certificate signed by a medical examiner. Adding the requirement ensures that those who are performing the examination have received training to check for specific health and safety issues.
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s new ruling was developed as part of the agency’s commitment to enhancing the medical oversight of CDL drivers and preventing commercial vehicle-related crashes, injuries and fatalities,” said Darcy Walsh, manager of TAMC’s Occupational Health and Wellness Services. “With the medical oversight comes the emphasis on determination of medical fitness of a commercial driver. There is a lot of accountability on the driver’s part to become medically fit or maintain compliance on certain medical conditions.”
Special guest presenters will speak at the breakfast and answer questions from attendees. To date, three speakers have confirmed they will be presenting at the event — Dr. Howard Jones, MD, MPH, who serves as the Eastern Maine Health Systems occupational medicine medical director and is also a certified DOT medical review officer; and Pearl Garcia, DNP, and Melinda Ledbetter, a certified physician’s assistant and nurse practitioner, both from TAMC’s Occupational Health and Wellness team.
The presenters will review the new law requirements and provide resources to the attendees for locating and choosing a certified medical examiner in their area, or anywhere in the country. A current medical certificate will be valid until its regular expiration date.
“Partnering with NMCC allows us to put forth this message to students taking the NMCC commercial driver course. It’s also a great collaborative effort to be able to educate members of our business community that require employment of CDL drivers,” said Walsh. “This event will provide an opportunity for students, drivers and employers to learn about the new rules, the accountability factor on part of the driver, and provide a venue for discussion on the potential economic impact this ruling has, should drivers not maintain medical compliance.”
NMCC is committed to ensuring their students have everything they need to succeed as they venture into the workforce, and this informational breakfast will help achieve that goal.
“We work to find jobs both locally and nationwide for graduates of this non-credit program. We also offer a night option to degree-seeking students who are training to maintain and repair the vehicles to further increase their opportunities when graduating from a two-year program,” said Shawn Lahey, business and industry coordinator at NMCC. “We provide a comprehensive, work-ready training and certification to students that are interested in immediate employment, but also to allow degree seeking students the opportunity to enhance their education and credentials, as well.”
Interested participants can register by email to slahey@nmcc.edu, by phone to 768-2849, or online at www.nmcc.edu. There is a $10 fee for the breakfast and pre-registration by May 19 is required to ensure proper food counts. Companies may pay for breakfast on the day of the event or pay at the time of pre-registration.