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?

0 members like this

Attachments:

visible.jpg, 144 KB

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric on July 12, 2008 at 11:54pm

I think they are really frekin ugly. BUT!!! They do stand out on the side of the road. They are even better with a light stick on it telling wich way to go. So I think they are definitely worth getting. They do save lives.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on July 13, 2008 at 7:52am

Took this picture a couple of days ago in Malibu, California which is located north of Los Angeles along the coast. Los Angeles County Fire Department apparently is now specifying that their apparatus use the chevrons. This may be due to the NFPA 1901 requirements or because it just makes sense to do whatever it takes to make the engine more visible.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on July 13, 2008 at 10:14am

Sean,

The chevrons are now available as a matrix of dots as well as the sheet applications you're talking about. That way, if one or two dots get damaged, it doesn't mess up the entire graphic.

The dots are designed to be applied over existing treadplate, but they work on sheet metal as well.

http://www.fireapparatusmagazine.com/columns/2008/March08/TRW_03_08...

I personally like the idea.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark on July 13, 2008 at 10:48am

I have a question i have not read 1901 yet , but is this for new trucks being ordered or all trucks pre 2009 have to have the chevron .

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on July 13, 2008 at 3:56pm

For now it's only for new trucks that are ordered. The vehicles currently in service are not required to have the chevrons.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin Hodgson on July 13, 2008 at 9:57pm

It would be interesting to see what the European countries and others' use to increase visibility for their apparatus, that the States could or should adopt !

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark on July 13, 2008 at 10:55pm

Thanks for the info on this

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oldman on July 14, 2008 at 9:41am

Generally, older apparatus are "grandfathered" according to the NFPA specs in place at the time the equipment was manufactured. If an apparatus is remounted or altered to either upgrade to a newer chassis, or for a different function from which it was originally designed, then it should comply to the newer specs.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rob Young on July 14, 2008 at 10:10am

I really like this look. The chevrons are an addition that should have come a long time ago.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Captain Steven Long on July 14, 2008 at 10:24am

While the increased visability inproves safety on a majority of the on-street calls, I feel that accidents involving rear end accidents with fire apparatus may increase on major highways. As it is, drivers are not paying attention ot the road or where they are driving when we are on the scene of an emergency. They are rubbernecking to see what is going on. The increase visibility of the apparatus may serve nothing more than a focal point for passing drivers, causing them to drive towards the apparatus. Europe has has such great success with this new reflective striping due to the fact that most of the on-street incidents, they shut down the road. Oh, and the police help them with doing it, not arrest them for doing it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doug Mckee on July 14, 2008 at 7:33pm

there great and make a truck stand twice as much as not having them. the last 3 trucks my department have purchased has all had the chevron strips on them along with most of the surrounding cities