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Chevrons on the rear of apparatus, your thoughts?
The 2009 version of NFPA 1901is going to mandate chevrons on the rear of apparatus, like they do in Europe. I think it's a great idea who's time has finally come. I'm sure many FF's and civilian's lives will be saved by this. We need to be visible out there. Some F.D's have been doing this for a while, (see the JPG below). What do you think?
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visible.jpg, 144 KB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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The giant fold down energy absorbing bumpers don't come out until the 2010 edition of NFPA 1901. LOL
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Permalink Reply by Jeff Parrish on
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I f you are angling the apperattus for scene saftey, how is it gonna help? The best thing we ever did was put yellow strobes or led's on the rear and put them at a height that catches the drivers eye. We have had many comments about how far away it can be seen. I am not a chevron fan.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Jeff, you are correct. The lights can be seen a long way. However.
We added amber LEDs on our apparatus at the windshield level, have 4" lettering stating to "keep back 500 feet" and still had a tow truck operator with rectal/cranial inversion drive into the rear of a pumper. That being said, would the chevrons have helped? Maybe, maybe not.
But as with the other tools we carry on our apparatus, adding chevrons would be another tool we can use to increase our safety.
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you can put on everything in the world for safety on but you still can't stop stupid. I agree it's a tool that may or may not help.
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Permalink Reply by Greenman on
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You don't use every tool in you rtoolbox for every job.
Chevrons may only cause a small percentage of potential close encounters with an apparatus at the scene, but even that small percentage will save lives. You don't throw out the porta-power kit just because you haven't used it a while.
GM
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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if it prevents 1 death its worth it. High powered LED's and these checvrons should definately work.
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Hooah! Well said, Greenman. That's been my point all along. While chevrons on the rear of apparatus are not the cure for stupid motorists rear-ending us at scenes, they will most certainly prevent some crashes from happening. Without a doubt, any lives saved by this are well worth it. And as Greenman pointed out before, European & Asian countries have been doing this for quite awhile. I'd like to see any statistical information they have about their accident reduction though. Stay safe!
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Permalink Reply by Tiger Schmittendorf on
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I never asked but I always wondered.
"The big sticking point was how it ''looked.''
Wow! I'm shocked.
Because, as we know, it's all about the looks. Form over function. That's the volly way!
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Actually Mike -
High powered LEDs are un-necessary once the unit is on scene.
Avoid the use of bright, blinding, dazzling, distracting lights; especially red and white.
They actually attract the D-Drivers. Drunk, distracted, dumb, etc.
The trend is to "Go Amber!" and the accident reduction stats prove it works.
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Permalink Reply by NZFirefighter on
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It is standard here in New Zealand now, see photo below
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scania711 rear.jpg, 191 KB
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Bump! Hehe.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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I pinched these two photos out of the FFN collection of pix (at random) and I can really see why chevrons won't make a difference- NOT!
TO those that have made comment about being blind if drivers can't see a big red truck- go try it for yourself at different times of day and night.
Over here in Oz, all emergency services Australia wide have gone to a combination red and blue light system- one os for day time visibility, the other for night time visibility. Many have now added in white strobes as well.
Also add in a multitude of flashing lighs, some of which can be blinding and in other cases are set so damn high on top of our rigs that only a jumbo jet could see them, then it's easy to see why people don't see them.
When we specd a rig, we also need to spec the lights that are visible in all directions. An example is the trusty bar light- great from the front or rear of the truck but park the truck side on and suddenly the 5 foot wide bar light has disappeared....
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