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Comment by Dan on November 28, 2008 at 3:26pm

Thanks guys and sorry about the nfpa mix up. I mayself feel the vests are a good thing. I think that by my state saying its ok just to use bunker gear is only going to get people hurt.

Comment by Kevin Burks on November 27, 2008 at 8:33am

The rule listed by Kristi is the rule that our dept. is going by until we are told other wise. We will be getting several of the new vests to put in every truck so if they are needed they are there. If we have enough personel on scene , we will use two people to watch for traffic. One is placed on on end of the accident and another on the opposite end, with radios and vests on. NO EXEPTIONS. We cannot rely on DPS or a deputy to control traffic for us . So we take care of our own.

Kevin

Comment by Brian on November 27, 2008 at 12:43am

a few weeks ago we got new brighhhhhht yellow vests, to put over our bunker coats. we have 2 highways we cover so those will be used if there is an accident. We used to have dark blue winter jackets with refelctive tape, now we have radioactive yellow jackets that can be seen 3 miles away for ems calls.. they look ugly,but people should be able to see us better..If im going into a house on an ems call, they arnt needed as much, but the highway they will be helpfull. highways scare everyone

Comment by Paul Montpetit on November 26, 2008 at 4:09pm

Be very, very careful here...this is NOT NFPA...it is an OSHA regulation (Federal)...A state can be more stricy but NOT more lax in enforcement...I think your fire marshall has it wrong on this one... Be careful that you are not holding the bag...min. of ANSI class II is required for ALL persons on any Highways that receives Federal money....Stay safe.....Paul

Comment by Kristy Oxholm on November 26, 2008 at 8:47am

Here is info on the interim final rule -

Safety Concerns Raised by the Firefighting Community Regarding High-Visibility Safety Apparel Result in Modification to Vest Rule

November 21, 2008 -- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today issued an Interim Final Rule to address safety concerns raised by the firefighting community regarding high-visibility safety apparel (see Worker Visibility Final Rule - 23 CFR Part 634, below).

The Interim Final Rule:

Revises the definition of "worker" to exclude firefighters when they are exposed to flame, fire, high heat or hazardous materials.
Exempts firefighters from the requirement to use high-visibility safety apparel, as defined in this rule, when they are exposed to hazardous conditions where the use of such apparel may increase the risk of injury to firefighter personnel.
The Interim Final Rule is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-27671.htm

I certainly does not mean that we don't need the vests - just that there are specific situations that have been determined to be more hazardous with than without them!

Kristy