Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
Operating on roadways has become extremely dangerous not only for first responders but for tow truck drivers as well. The problem seems to be more and more with distracted drivers.
Whether drivers are under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, are distracted by their cell phones or other sources of entertainment, or fall asleep or are too drowsy, they are just not seeing us and slowing or stopping as incidents require.
A trip to Europe earlier this year prompted this month’s column. In addition to France, I also was in London for the coronation of King Charles III. My hotel was not far from Westminster Abbey, and I was able to see a lot of the activity leading up to and during the coronation. There were multiple road closures and lots of activity surrounding the setup of large viewing screens, temporary fencing, placement of hundreds of portable toilets, and traffic control fencing along the parade route. In addition, there were multiple dignitary escorts by the local police in the days leading up to the event, and security was at an extremely high level.
There was one common denominator of human protection that was prominent throughout: reflective fluorescent yellow. There must have been hundreds of reflective fluorescent vests worn by security and other staff working at the event. I noted that all the vests seemed to be new, which I suppose was just for the coronation—some vest manufacturer landed a huge contract! In addition, all the ambulances and police cars (except the undercover units) were reflective fluorescent yellow. The London Fire Brigade apparatus were red but had yellow fluorescent chevron striping on the rear and large yellow fluorescent squares along the side. The smaller fire department support vehicles like chief vehicles were fluorescent yellow with appropriate reflective striping. The people and vehicles were easy to spot.
My days in France (mostly Paris) prior to my time in London revealed the exact same color schemes and fluorescent reflective striping. Of course, it is easy to say, “Well that’s Europe! We’re different.” Yes, the United States is different. But why? The Europeans do not have nearly the problem we have with their first responders and emergency vehicles being struck while operating at roadway incidents. Why has the U.S. fire service still not totally bought into roadway safety? In fact, a strong case can be made that we have regressed with all the black striping and painting we now see on apparatus. It doesn’t take an in-depth research project to show that reflective fluorescent yellow is the most visible color in all lighting conditions. This has been historically proven for decades in Europe. And no, European eyes do not see color differently than American eyes. They know and understand the value of conspicuity for their personnel and vehicles.
Meanwhile, back in the States, we occasionally have accidents occur in established traffic hazard zones, such as roadway construction. The more frequent and deadly accidents occur at temporary and unplanned incidents such as vehicle accidents. In established construction zones, there are plenty of advance warnings, and traffic barriers are in place. However, during unplanned emergency situations where the fire department is most likely the first arriving agency, we have a major challenge in mitigating traffic trying to navigate through the area.
GRAB ATTENTION
First and foremost, we must get motorists’ attention. This will remain difficult until technology is available in all fire departments to remotely alert motorists of an incident ahead through their onboard radios and data screens. There might even be a market for drones mounted on tailboards that can automatically rise to about 30 feet in the air and produce an electronic warning sign.
Regardless of what the future holds, I think we will always need to be wearing safety vests when operating on roadway incidents. I think there might be a market to embed small twinkling lights in vests to further improve visibility. There were some on display at Interschutz 2022. And, we need to make our apparatus more visible for all lighting conditions. It is so important to understand that retroreflective striping is not enough. That only works at night and in very low light conditions. Fluorescent yellow works in daytime as well as other times.
There is a lot to know and understand about working safely at roadway incidents, including blocking apparatus, apparatus positioning, emergency lighting, scene lighting, signage, cones, head protection, protective clothing issues, and so on. The Emergency Responder Safety Institute has very useful information for this. But for the purpose of this month’s column, the message is simple: “See and be seen.”
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
