The standard that governs the work we do as Emergency Vehicle Technicians has recently changed to include Driver/Operator inspection duties and frequencies. The scope of this standard has also been changed significantly. Until this latest update the standard applied mostly to structure engines and ladder fire apparatus. Today the standard applies to all emergency vehicles over 5,000 lbs. This now includes ambulances, brush engines and many command vehicles. It even includes a section on trailers.
To put this into perspective it is important to realize this version of the standard will not be incorporated into WAC code for at least 10 years. That said, it will become admissible in WA State courts as the industry consensus standard immediately. It can be used by a lawyer to make a case if a driver/operator has done their job diligently.
Ultimately, all of this to say, the expectations of our emergency vehicle drivers have now caught up with that of the commercial vehicle drivers on the road today. The Driver/Operator inspection in the standard is essentially a CDL daily inspection. The new version of this standard is viewable for free at NFPA.org. Look for NFPA 1911.