hi-vis vests. Someone is wearing them.

I came across this incident very shortly after it happened. If the link doesn't work, this involved a wrong way driver that caused a semi to jack-knife and dump his load on the free-way. The interesting thing is there are no FF or LE wearing vests. However, the reporter is.

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/pages/video/?autoStart=true&topVide...

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Permalink Reply by kenny goines on January 22, 2009 at 4:35am
It is actualy FEDERAL LAW, and it went into effect November 24 of last year.
Permalink Reply by G. Taylor 1208 on January 22, 2009 at 11:49am
Is the road blocked off? If so how far from the scene? My department wears them on all MVA's unless the road is completely shut down and we are going to be there a while.
Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on January 23, 2009 at 3:39am
really??? damn, guess we could be in trouble LOL
Permalink Reply by Rob on January 23, 2009 at 3:44am
Actually now it is more than state law, it is federal law. Hope he does not get hurt on a roadway incident while not wearing one, Worker's Comp will have a field day with his claim.
Permalink Reply by Asst Chief Tim Cook on February 1, 2009 at 10:11pm
Here's something to ponder.I probably spend more time in the roadways than most of you(I own a towing & recovery co).Up until Nov last year we SELDOM wore vests. Equipment placement and proper traffic control will do more to keep you alive that the vest ever will. All the vest does is make you a brighter target. The people who are going to pick you off will do so vest or no vest.And generally it's because they're impaired.I don't think they're a bad idea but we operated,without incident,for a half century without 'em.Not sure I'd want to do it in a lot of places but in the Southwest mountains of Maine,it's just another unfunded mandate.
Permalink Reply by ZAKMAN on February 3, 2009 at 9:13am
My dept. has been wearing HI-VIS tear away vest for about a year now, even before it got mandated. Our saying is " DO YOU WANT TO GO HOME TODAY " IF YOUR FEET ARE ON PAVEMENT, VEST IS ON YOUR CHEST.
Permalink Reply by John on February 3, 2009 at 9:17am
We at my Dept are required to wear them on all incidents involving the road, whether it be an MVA or just a public service call. in fact at training last night we got the newer break away Hi Vis vests.
Aaron SmithPermalink Reply by Aaron Smith on February 3, 2009 at 10:19am
Just recently we have been mandated to wear DOT approved reflective vest anytime near a road unless involved in direct firefighting activities.
Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on February 3, 2009 at 10:46am
I hear what you're saying. The video doesn't show a high speed traffic danger for the responders limiting the need for vests but your point is taken. I personally believe in as must visibility as possible, especially during low/no light hours. That is why I personally like yellow turn outs (been posted before) and it just my opinion. My Chief put on a display during training where he set up, in a dark area, a hi-vis vest, turn out coat and a reflective stripped jacket and shined a light on them. The vest out shined the others 10 to 1. LE is a different story. Their protection is machoism, haha. As far as the reporter goes, unlike gov agencies, well run private companies try to keep their insurance costs down and do make a profit. TCSS

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