I was wondering who all has policies on the use of reflective vests while operating on open roads. I was also wondering what brand and style of vest you use?
Thanks for all your replies!!!
I think the requirement is DOT level 3. Something to do with the amount of reflective striping on them. Whatever it means, we all wear them whenever we're on an MVA. Otherwise, anyone doing traffic control or spending their time near the road wears them.
On my dept. are moto is if your feet it the street your vest is in on your chest. All MVA we have our vest on over our bunker gear. On a structure fire if your the driver/engineer you are to put your vest on.
We have a policy, If you are not involved in firefighting or vehicle rescue you must have your vest on even if you're in your PPE. After the fire is out or the rescue is finished your vest goes on. I got a e-mail from Harbor Freight today, they have vest for under $ 5.00 on sale. They don't have to be those $25.00 jobs to meet the law, but I would buy the break-way type, in case some a-hole gets you caught in his side of his vehicle he or she are driving....
It has been stated several times in this and other threads that the use of high visibility vests whilst working on rtoads is now a Federal Law in the USA. If that is the case, why would you need SOP's, SOG's or FD policies about their use? It's law, so use them. Simple?
We have the 5 point breakaway reflective vest. We are to wear them on any type of call on any highway. If we are in the HOT zone/using extracation equip we can take them off. We have them over top our bunkers ready to go and can easily be removed. Not sure of the ANSI/NFPA satndard #. I have been hearing they run between 35-55 bucks depending if you get them printed with Dept name or not.