Traffic Vest

Hey everyone,

Im in charge of putting the firefighters into traffic vest. anyone use them? what type? were to get tem? do you like them? what would you want different? we have about 160 FF that I will be outfitting so some money will be spent im trying to do some research on them before hand...any help would be great!!

thanks much and stay safe

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben "Batman" Barry on February 2, 2010 at 9:38pm

I reccomend Blauer. I have used them and they are great and also up to code. But if you want to research I reccomend Galls they sell many brands that are Non ansi and ansi approved in many price ranges

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jason on February 2, 2010 at 9:45pm

I'm not a huge fan of vest on a fire dept related call(MVA, landing zone, traffice control, etc) where the trucks are located right with you, but if you are standing out in the middle of nowwhere with nothing but a traffic wand its a nice deal. This law that is in effect applies to ANYONE on the roadway(police, hwy dept workers, and even the neighbor boy riding his bike down the road), like many things once you get used to it over the years it will be second nature, we had a number of guys that balked at it at first but little by little they are even wearing their vest.

We have enough for each seat on the trucks, and if you are in an air pack you need not wear one. We do have a few guys, some who very seldom, if ever, wear a pack have their own right on their bunker gear and they always have it on. I deal alot with MSHA(mine safety and helath assoc.) at work so this lil vest issue is a piece of cake, compared to what we are dealing with at work.

Stay safe everyone.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jesse 202 on February 8, 2010 at 9:23pm

The Gov't should provide them for the F.D.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Plocher on February 8, 2010 at 10:13pm

Hey Brandon, we have the ANSI type II tear aways. They really make a difference! Most leave them on their bunker coats except for fires. I really like them as do most of my fire fighters plus if it's 100 degrees and your out directing traffic at a 10-50 it is sure cooler than full turnout! Ours cost around $25 and everyone has one. Stay safe!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on February 8, 2010 at 10:21pm

Another cool thing about vests is that they can also serve as ICS position identifiers...

Dillon: Thanks for sharing your comment that includes a graphic. I wish more folks would do this to make their points even more communicative... good work.

St Wood:

"You just do not want to be the one hit not wearing it because your insurance may not cover you for not following OSHA, DOT rules."

Regardless of whether one likes or dislikes wearing high visibility vests, if they get hurt and were not wearing issued or available safety gear, both liability issues and insurance coverage could be compromised. I would not want to be the engine company captain that has to fill out the paperwork.

For what it's worth, there are new road safety laws in France regarding a vest and triangle to be kept in cars at all times, this amusing ad campaign was launched and features famous designer fashionista, Karl Lagerfeld. Via LA Frog (merci!)...

This is nothing new apparently. We're just catching up with europe I guess?

CBz

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Smith on February 8, 2010 at 10:34pm

Hello, My volunteer department bought vests for everyone in our department. However, this wasn't a problem because we are only currently about 15 strong (*woo-hoo). We have ones with the break away points which is a must on traffic vests as far as i'm concerned. The volunteers like them because down here in the south, it gets very muggy come summer time. The vests give the oldtimers on traffic duty the chance to stay out of thier gear so they won't fatigue as quickly (*no offense to any older members). Our neighboring department runs a rescue unit, and are dispatched to all wrecks in the county. They keep their vests already on thier bunker coats in the rack so they are already donned with their coat. With the rip away vests they also have the option of just ripping the vest off if they're in a situation where say SCBA must be donned, or for some other reason the vest needs to come off "now".

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ff/emt 2155 on February 9, 2010 at 12:18am

we just went over them vests tonite at meeting we r a small dept here in ohio we have velcro tear away;s nice ones not cheap either but for what they are supposed to do they work we have them big enough to fit over our turn-outs summer time we have personal ones to fit better from our safety officer it;s law that they be worn thanx be safe my brothers

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jared Ryker on February 9, 2010 at 3:13am

michael yes i can understand that people can c the fire apperatus. with past experiance drivers get distracted and c the lights on the side of the road. but that also distracts them. i have witnesed quite a few accidents that accure while we are on seen. drivers get distracted with whats going on they loose there focus on the road. im a emt in indiana and our state requires we ware them on all road side accidents. if noted and being seen with out one on. there is a fine that can be issued to ur dept up to 17,000 from the state. i personaly like them. there are to many by standers on sceens that think there emts, doctors, claim there retired firefighters and i have found that injured victems can find me or my partner easier while we are wearing them. i personaly like them. yes its another piece of equipment to have to wear. but thats also a piece of equipment that weighs little to nothing and that could save ur life and help ur pt find u when u cant find them...