Traffic vests or not?

[OutOfOffice]

As was already said, if the big red truck and lights of multiple units doesn't get their attention, the vest dang sure isn't. General policy for us is if we're packaging patients, we're shutting down the road, in which case, wear whatever suits the need (Extrication, Fire suppression, etc) Otherwise, if you're working traffic, you wear the vest and have the traffic wands and even still, DO NOT turn your back on traffic. Everyone else, wear what you want but watch for the other guys and do not turn your back to traffic.

[TLFD40]

When i was Chief, i mandated it at all MVAs and anytime we were in traffic. I think it adds to our safety when working around traffic. It doesn't hurt or hinder anybody.

[ALeDoux]

Here in Rhode Island, we're required to wear the vests over our gear, if gear is necessary, on Federal and State roads for our department insurance. We cover a lot of interstate highway and other busy state roads, so it's become a bit of a force of habit for us. While the big red trucks and flashy lights should typically get a drivers attention, Rhode Islanders get very nosy around accidents and tend to not pay attention to anything at all.

[06cumminsman]

Since this has been resurrected I'll put mine in. We are required to wear them at all MVA or when on a roadway. I keep a high viz coat for winter months also. The only way around it is to be in full turnouts. I won't say I always wear mine, if I'm first on the scene I won't put mine on unless I have to direct traffic when a higher medic response takes over....if they do. Otherwise I will put the vest on or the coat. I try not to wear turnouts unless needed. I have noticed that the officers don't wear them, although they're supposed to.
As far as whether they help or not, I honestly don't think so, if you miss seeing 3 or more vehicles with lights all over them painted bright red then you won't see a vest. They do help at night to an extent but that's more for seeing exactly where someone is while moving to direct traffic.

[Nolan235660]

Im a rookie so i dont do anything that could be used against me in anyway, I just follow the Dept Guidelines and just suck it up although many of the guys dont wear them in one of my Departments id say about 90% use them (paid full time) my other department uses them about 60% (paid on call), which leads into another topic which is there is definitely a double standard between Full time and volly/paid on call departments

[johnsb]

Definitely NOT a substitute for apparatus placement, flares, vigilance, etc.

I think sometimes civilians are so wrapped up in the big red trucks or the emergency itself that they just don't see the responders. The vest certainly can't hurt.

Yep, had some stupid woman on a cell phone pass 10 feet in front of me today on a run at an intersection.

[captnjak]

Definitely NOT a substitute for apparatus placement, flares, vigilance, etc.

I think sometimes civilians are so wrapped up in the big red trucks or the emergency itself that they just don't see the responders. The vest certainly can't hurt.

[johnsb]

Yeah, but how many people were NOT hit because they WERE wearing a vest? We'll never know. We can't prove a negative. If there's a possibility of saving ONE firefighter from death or serious injury, it's probably worth all of us wearing them.

I agree with the idea of closing down as much of the road as is necessary. Keeping the traffic flowing is pretty far down the priority list for me. You still don't want to be between the apparatus and the traffic, though. Let them hit the rig if they're not going to stop.

I personally have NO faith that a vest makes a difference on an emergency scene. There's so much going on, I truly believe that they don't stand out to people. Not that I don't believe in being visible, I think any modern turnout gear or EMS type jacket does the job just fine. But then again I use vehicle placement. cones/flares, and watching traffic as my primary safety measures.

[captnjak]

Actually, the number of responders hit by vehicles even when everything is done right proves that vest don't do anything... A vest won't protect you if they won't even slow down for the big red truck with all the flashing lights... Shutting down a road is the ultimate protection.

Yeah, but how many people were NOT hit because they WERE wearing a vest? We'll never know. We can't prove a negative. If there's a possibility of saving ONE firefighter from death or serious injury, it's probably worth all of us wearing them.

I agree with the idea of closing down as much of the road as is necessary. Keeping the traffic flowing is pretty far down the priority list for me. You still don't want to be between the apparatus and the traffic, though. Let them hit the rig if they're not going to stop.

[johnsb]

Unfortunately, the Federal law mandating that you wear the vest kind of trumps what you "prefer" and "think".

Actually, the number of responders hit by vehicles even when everything is done right proves that vest don't do anything... A vest won't protect you if they won't even slow down for the big red truck with all the flashing lights... Shutting down a road is the ultimate protection.

[FyredUp]

FyredUp, you must have worked for one progressive full time department. Hope retirement is treating you great. Big B

In many ways they were. I would also, say my #1 POC FD was very progressive in PPE, SCBA, and the use of vests. We had green there long before that was the new better idea!

Retirement is great. Although if I new I was going to be this busy I would have slept more my last year at work!!

[hoserbt]

FyredUp, you must have worked for one progressive full time department. Hope retirement is treating you great. Big B

[bcjack]

I prefer to wear either a turnout coat or EMS style reflective jacket. I generally would only wear the vest when it's warm out and I only have my duty uniform on. I see way too many guys with the vest on during fire suppression, I don't know what that's about. Personally, I think vests are generally overkill and ineffective. Setting up proper safety zones and blocking or even shutting down a road is going to save more lives. If they hit you and you weren't wearing a vest, you were probably where you shouldn't be, or they already missed a dozen other warning signs and would've hit you anyway.

Unfortunately, the Federal law mandating that you wear the vest kind of trumps what you "prefer" and "think".

[BoxAlarm187]

I used to not wear the SCBA on field fires. However, after hanging over the edge of our Brush Truck while manning the hose and having the smoke come up over me a few times, I started wearing the SCBA. It makes it much easier to actually spray the fire when you can see it. My eyes don't water from the smoke and I can actually breathe....But then a few others tried it and agreed that it is easier to work with it on.

Really....?

[jkoby]

Not to get off-topic and not to judge, but you wear your SCBA for field fires? Havent heard of that before, but we may be talking about different types of fields. When I think of fields I imagine an open space with vegetation 1 foot to 3 feet where fire spreads quickly. Is that the same for you? We dont wear SCBA and most of the time dont wear structural gear for those fires.

As I said, not judging, just interested in the how different departments do things differently.

I used to not wear the SCBA on field fires. However, after hanging over the edge of our Brush Truck while manning the hose and having the smoke come up over me a few times, I started wearing the SCBA. It makes it much easier to actually spray the fire when you can see it. My eyes don't water from the smoke and I can actually breathe.

I have worn the SCBA while on the ground with a shovel as well. I'm not always on air, but if the wind changes or I get into the smoke, I'll put the mask on so I can breathe and see.

The other guys gave me a hard time at first about it as well. But then a few others tried it and agreed that it is easier to work with it on. In fact, we are trying to come up with a way to mount bottles on the truck so you just plug your regulator into the truck and not have to worry about wearing the bottle.