Today I was surfing the web when I came across something that I found interesting. I'll call it the "B" side. Always good to see both sides.
As we all know the Federal Highway Administration passed a regulation last year in which all emergency responders who operate on highways are required to wear high visibility vests. This is in addition to the reflective striping that is on our Bunker Gear, all the striping on the apparatus as well as the flashing lights.
Well, they have now exempted firefighters from wearing them (my words, as I know most firefighters will now deposit the vests in the "file"). Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen. I was never a fan of the regulation, but I did not lose any sleep over it either.
On our job, we have been ordered to wear the vests on any street. Now I'm all for operating as safe as we can, but where do you draw the line ? Wouldn't better and proper training on apparatus positioning be a better call ? I will always put a big fire truck between me, my men and oncoming vehicles. This is no guarantee of safety but I would rather they hit the rig than me.
I was present once, years ago, when a member was struck by a car. The driver was in a rush and attempted to drive around both the Engine and the Ladder. Just as she swerved around the Engine, one of the members stepped off the side board. Luckily he was only out for a couple of months. I also know a guy permanently disabled from a similar situation. No vest in the world could of prevented these accidents.
IMO, positioning the apparatus properly- with PPE on , will have a greater effect on the outcome of scene safety, than a vest. Can a vest add to safety ? Sure, but lets stop trying to regulate stupidity. Drive a motorcycle/bicycle around town or just sit and observe the average driver on the road. You'll realize, if you have not already, that the vast majority of vehicle operators are idiots.
If it's dark outside or you're operating in any kind of low-light situation, then why not wear one ? Middle of the day on a small side street ?
Remember, safety is important and should never be ignored. Just be realistic about it. More regulations/rules etc.. do not always equate to safer firefighters. If it needs fixing, fix it- if it works, leave it alone.
I could go into my opinion on most of those organizations and all the self-important white hats, but not today.
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I do agree with the apparatus positioning training, but disagree on the firefighters to be exempt from wearing the vest(which will make you more visible to others). These regulations are brought forward by men who spent countless hours revising regulations to keep YOU and your men safe. Unfortunately guys on the field, like yourself, take these regulations for granted and consiously ignore them. If tomorrow they wanted us to wear christmas lights around our PPE to keep MY men safe, i would be the first to sign up. My mission is to send MY men home safe to their families. Im sorry to know the families of YOUR men cant expect the same.
ReplyDeleteWhile I respect your difference of opinion and welcome the comment, I stand by my words. Many good things have come about over the last couple of decades. But I also believe some things are driven by either bureaucratic organizations or manufactures with profit margin the underlying goal.
ReplyDeletePlease enlighten me to the before and after "stats" on how many firefighters were hurt or killed on roadways with or without vests ? If the data is clear then YOU as a safety gaurdian can help me amend my position.
YOUR last statement (veiled attampt to insult) ...... not even worth commenting on.
Another thing, I'm in Mass, they're not "Christmas" lights. They're called "Happy Holiday" lights. :-0
Well, first i want to thank you for posting my comment. But as i am aware of stats i can tell you that, for example, in 2002 there were over one hundred firefighters who died in traffic related incidents. 50% of those were in highways and over ten percent were strucked by a vehicle. The vest was implemented in 2005, now looking at the stats from 2007, there were less fatal injuries related to traffic, just over 100. Now only 18% of those were highway insidents, and the percentage of firefighters stucked by a vehicle less than 1%. I think the stats are pretty telling that these saftey regulations save lifes.
ReplyDeleteAnytime you allow comments, you have to expect that some people are going to disagree. As long as we can do it without allowing it to degenerate into insults it's a good thing. Spirited debate between people is the American way, even better when over coffee.
ReplyDeleteThose stats are interesting and I can see your point. Several times I've tried to search for stats and generally all I can get is to join the NFPA to receive them. Maybe I've looked in the wrong places but I'm not above constant learning. When I was new to the job, an old-timer with 40 yrs. on the job once said to me "Never stop learning about the job. From the first tour to the last, never think you know everything and avoid those who do". or something like that.
We could use the "broken windows" theory (hey, an idea for a new blog post maybe?) with fire department policies and I think it would help. But I have to add that at my department I have seen and witnessed many attempts to "fix the windows" while we ignore the rest of the house. Instead of just fixing the windows let's fix the whole thing. From foundation to roof. But I realize cost is a big factor in deciding what we can or can not do, but while my job pinches pennies (a city admin who is ,to say the least, unfriendly to firefighters) the other city public safety agencies seem to have an unlimited access to cities credit card.
Oh, and don't forget, I'm from the North East where we tend to think the world ends beyond the East Coast.
Does statistics I pulled from some training material, but you might have luck trying the Bereau of Labor Statistics.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will
ReplyDelete