Frontline staff starting work at Ranch Ehrlo Society often meet the most intimidating member of the team during their first days on the job.

For the staff at May house, the most fearful member of the team goes by the name of Helga. No, she isn’t some horrible, hard-to-work with staff, she’s the unit’s large and intimidating 15-passenger van.

If you’re like me, the thought of driving a van of that size (with children inside) is a little scary, but like everything, Helga (and her kind) can be conquered with great training and lots of practice.

I haven’t driven the 15-passenger van myself and have to say I’m not in any rush to try, but the agency does prepare the youth care workers, youth care leaders, and other staff who have to take this beast on the road every day.

Of course we all know to buckle up, drop the phone, signal for lane changes, and to check our mirrors but driving a vehicle of such great size takes special attention to detail and a lot of extra caution.

Ranch Ehrlo provides mandatory vehicle training to frontline staff. A van review is completed during one of three observations or within the first week of employment; staff run through the vehicle checklist, are shown how to conduct a visual inspection, and are taken out on the road for a test drive.

There’s a whole chapter dedicated to ‘van training’ so I thought I’d highlight a few points for you, just in case you want to practice before getting behind our wheel:

• The center of gravity is higher due to the van’s size and shape. When it’s loaded with passengers/equipment the centre of gravity continues to rise so don’t try any quick, sudden maneuvers because those sudden turns, crashes the curb, or drift to the shoulder could cause you to flip


• Stopping distance will always be greater because the van is sooo big! It takes longer to stop the van than it does a car so leave a three to four seconds following distance between the van and the vehicle ahead

• If it’s a windy day (and that’s likely in Saskatchewan) hold on to the wheel with both hands. The van’s boxy shape and high center of gravity can make it easy to get swept from side to sideThe van turns differently. When you turn left reduce the speed and start the turn further forward into the intersection. Because of the van’s length it has the tendency to take the turn in a diagonal direction. If you’re turning right, make a square turn by moving just far enough to the left.

• Don’t have too much confidence when you’re backing up. Ask passengers for assistance if necessary, use spotters if you need to, and pick a parking spot where you can pull through.

Be confident, ask questions, and when in doubt do a lap and a better parking spot just might be available!