Reflective Vests

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!!!

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Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on April 5, 2009 at 10:10pm
Scratch that, we have updated our SOP's so we have to wear them on any highway.
Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on April 5, 2009 at 10:12pm
Not sure of the brand but we wear a vest on all road ways. Unless fighting a fire we wear them.
Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on April 8, 2009 at 1:48am
I understand the need to be seen and safe on the roadways. Just dont see why our turn-outs are now perceived to be insufficient. That said we do have a polocy to wear reflective vests on roadway accidents. Bauer brand.
Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on April 8, 2009 at 2:35am
Jim, I don't have access to the types of vests that we are using but they are the break away style, possibly purchased through LN Curtiss or Galls Safety. They were not cheap so we could only afford a portion of what we need. The rest will be purchased next fiscal year. Regardless, here's some language for you to look at in order to help you develop your own SOG's. Hope this is what you were looking for...

TCSS, CB

HIGH VISIBILITY SAFETY VESTS

November 24, 2008 was the compliance deadline to implement the provisions of the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation 23 CFR Part 634.

Under this new regulation, the Fire Department is mandated to provide, and all employees must wear, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 107-2004 High Visibility Safety Vest when working within the right of way of a Federal Aid Highway as defined in the attached Policy.

This addition to the department’s Policy and Procedures Manual outlines the Purpose and Policy, and lists Examples in which department personnel must wear the High Visibility Safety Vest.

Following an analysis of the provisions of this regulation it was deemed appropriate to ultimately issue a vest to each member of the Fire Department as a component of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). In this way, each department member will be accountable for the location, care and maintenance of their individually issued vest.

Fiscal constraints made it impossible to purchase vests for each individual from this year’s budget. However, 25 High Visibility Safety Vests have been purchased and will be issued by the Logistics Section based on the priority need. One vest will be issued to each “front line” engine company and to each Battalion Chief.

Funds have been loaded onto the 2009/2010 fiscal year budget to accommodate the acquisition of additional vests. These vests will be issued to every member of the Fire Department once the budget has been approved and the purchase has been completed.

It is important that every department member review and understand the attached policy. Of primary importance is the safety and welfare of our Fire Department members who find themselves in a first response, or supporting role at an incident on a Federal Aid Highway. Failure to adhere to this regulation may result in citations and significant fines levied against the department by federal and state regulatory agencies.

Note: When I was looking this stuff up for you, I came across these cool LED style vests... If you have unlimited money... then maybe this could be an option. I thought you might enjoy this...

Permalink Reply by Ray Swanson on April 8, 2009 at 8:24am

Effective November 24, 2008, all fire fighters, emergency medical personnel, law enforcement and other pubic safety workers operating in a federal, or state highway right-of-way are required to wear high-visibility clothing that complies with Class II or III requirements of the American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear (ANSI/ISEA).
The minimum requirements for ANSI/ISEA-compliant garments include use of fluorescent yellow-green, orange-red or red background material with 360 degree retro reflective visibility. Garments should be labeled as compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 or ANSI/ISEA 207-2006. Also, vests should be 5-point break-away.

In our department the vests are left on our turnout coat and if we have a fire we just take them off, it's pretty simple, we also purchased them from PRO-AM Safety for about $4 each, now they price for almost triple that.
Permalink Reply by Trainer on April 8, 2009 at 8:58am
Ok this is FEDERAL law, not state, all vests need to be a min of ANSI class II, we wear class III with sleeves for better visibility. Law also states they be worn on any federally funded roadway with the exception of people DIRECTLY involved in a hazardous environment. So if you have a car fire, only the people holding the hose are exempt, everyone else needs to wear one, and as far as a structure fire, if your pump operator or anyone else close to or in the road, needs to have one on. One more note on the federally funded roads, if you think this doesn’t include your local streets, might want to do some checking, most get some funding through motor fuel tax, which happens to be a federal tax law. I like the blinkin light vest.
Permalink Reply by John on April 8, 2009 at 9:19am
Anytime we are out on the roads we have them on. Ours are the tear away type with velcro fastners.
Permalink Reply by Scott on April 8, 2009 at 11:37am
We wear the vests & helmets all the time we are exposed to traffic and shed vests when we put on SCBA, Tech Rescue or Hazmat equip. We have one local dept that wears them while prevention inspecting and running errands.
We have a significant amount of Interstate but we have taken the approach roads are roads and drivers are drivers.
We have also have new apparatus with chevrons to the rear. The biggest offenders for not wearing vests are Chief Officers and Coppers.
We have a couple of different kinds. We have some with dept name and all the break away Velcro and some not. I prefer the ones with out the Velcro. I can take mine off as fast without. As for snags, If the vest get caught it most likely rip, what is keeping turnout from getting snagged? Those are designed not to tear.
If you are working in an area where the vest is a hazard, we can take them off.
Permalink Reply by Shaun Hansen on April 8, 2009 at 1:19pm
In our state. it is mandated by OSHA and NFPA. If you are responding to a scene along an state or federal roadway then you must wear an ANSI approved tear-away safety vest. The only expection is unless there is a fire and you are the attack or back-up then you dont need to wear on. So on our department we made it mandatory that it must be worn at all scenes along any roadway. state, local, federal, gravel.... They help to save lives, wear them as much as possible....
Permalink Reply by Mick Shelley on April 13, 2009 at 4:18pm
Yes, We have them, and we must wear them when at the a MVA, or anything other then a fire
Permalink Reply by Jake Fireman on April 13, 2009 at 4:20pm
In California...ALL emergency responding personnel MUST wear refective vests while on scene. Police, Fire, EMS!

Oooops I take that back...we must wear them on highways, streets, etc...not on fire scenes etc.
Rob TaylorPermalink Reply by Rob Taylor on April 13, 2009 at 5:26pm
we have the policy for this if you are in the hot zone on a scene you do not need it other wise you can tak it off I chose to put it on my jacket and leave it on I don't know what brand we have but we have a couple different styles

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