At our fire company it is in the bylaws that everyone who is on any of our boats and or the jetski is required to wear a life preserver. yet I see alot of guys not wearing one. In yall's departments is it required of you to wear a lp, and if its not please explain why.
Absolutely! Would you go into a fire without turnout gear or an SCBA? Its our departments laws that you MUST have a PFD on while operating on a boat, or within 15 feet of the waters edge. Also if the water+air temp does not equal 120 degrees, you must also be wearing a drysuit. It may just be because were a swift-water rescue team on a very aggressive waterway, but still if you are doing any type of water operation you MUST be wearing the proper PPE.
From some of the videos of ff's goin into a fully involved structure without full structural gear, it wouldnt suprise me if some jackass wouldnt go on a boat without a pfd, im with you 100% on what you had previously stated
In my volunteer company we are required to wear a PFD anytime you are on the boat or working in or near the water or ice. The only exception allowed is dive team members wearing their BCs. Strictly enforced and usually no problems. The dept will be trying to outfit our airboat crews with inflatable PFDs in the near future because of the reduced profile, cooler in the summer and they usually fit better over winter clothes when we're out on the ice in the winter.