Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
Those of us who are old enough to remember the old “Gomer Pyle, USMC” television sitcom from the 1960s may recall Sergeant Carter yelling at Gomer, “I can’t hear you.” Well, in today’s fire service, the statement “I can’t see you” appears to be a growing problem.
The issue is the fascination with using apparatus and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that is not visible in all lighting conditions. This column will stir up some emotions, but I hope it makes you think.
I will start with PPE. Black turnout gear is not as visible as nonblack. If we have a firefighter down/missing on the scene, do we not want him to be as visible as possible? And, it is a scientifically proven fact that black gear absorbs more heat than nonblack gear while the wearer is engaged in interior and exterior firefighting. Manufacturers spend tons of money on research to find ways to reduce heat stress, yet many of their customers insist on black gear. Moreover, with the emphasis on using clean gear, black gear hides dirt. As a profession, we need to use PPE products that show dirt and contamination so they can be cleaned. If the dirt/contamination is hidden, then we probably are using PPE that is harmful to our health. Tradition is great for museums, ceremonies, comraderies, and celebrations but not for the present-day emergency scene. Why would any department or fire chief insist on using products that are known to be more harmful to the members, especially when it comes to something as simple as color? There are no cost issues involved.
- Ed Ballam: Better to Be Seen Than Viewed
- What’s Next for Structural Turnout Gear?
- Understanding Turnout Gear
- The Protection Behind Structural Firefighting Turnout Gear
- Turnout Gear Manufacturers Make PPE Tailored for Women
I have another concern over the acceptable use of black on our apparatus. When I look at photos of new apparatus deliveries in this magazine and apparatus on display at trade shows, the amount of black on apparatus is increasing. Black is the least visible color in all lighting conditions—a blinding snowstorm aside. Chrome bumpers and bright shine aluminum diamond plate are being replaced with black steel or black-painted treadplate. Those beautiful shiny aluminum polished wheels or chrome wheel covers are being replaced with black wheels. From a safety point of view, the egregious use of black reflective striping along the sides of apparatus and part of the chevron striping on the rear of apparatus is concerning. This is a total disregard for the safety of both firefighters and the avoidance of other vehicles crashing into the apparatus. Insurance companies should consider a rate increase for apparatus that are designed and built with disregard for safety-related visibility features.
This past June, this column was about the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) study “Effects of Emergency Vehicle Lighting Characteristics on Driver Perception and Behavior.” One point made in the column was a quote from the study, which stated, “The presence of high-reflectivity chevron markings seemed to make it more difficult for drivers to see responders working around their vehicles at night, even when the responder wear safety vests.” I have since spoken with a key member of the ERSI and he said another study was underway to specifically look at chevron striping because that was not the focus of the lighting report, yet that statement received a lot of attention. My view is that this study will validate the use of bright fluorescent yellow-red chevrons. The European fire service has decades of data that supports this. Ironically, as I wrote this column, I got a notice of an apparatus being struck in the rear along I-40 in western North Carolina. A similar occurrence happened less than a week prior in I-77 in western North Carolina.
The blackened apparatus fad—I hope it is just a fad—has reached areas that some of us thought were sacred. For example, I heard a manufacturer had an upset customer because it could not get a black Roto-Ray light for a rig. And then, at this year’s FDIC, there was a black Federal Q siren on display. I looked at it, shook my head, and muttered, “Disgusting,” as I walked away. I recall going to a trade show and looking at the apparatus, many of them with the black appeal, and chatting with a member of the department that had a truck on display. He asked me what I thought, and my reply was, “Is it for daylight use only?” I explained my thoughts and he agreed with me but said that was the trend and many of their volunteer members had personal vehicles with the black look and that was what they wanted. Hmmm …. Disclaimer: My Ram pickup has a lot of chrome.
Finally, on the color of black, I am perplexed at the number of rigs in warmer climates that have black roofs. It is a fact that the interiors of darker color vehicles get hotter than lighter color vehicles. This does not lead to improved heat stress nor does it reduce the potential damage to items inside the cab.
No, I am not advocating white-wall tires. I am a fan of black-wall tires if a high gloss is applied. What is next, black warning lights? Is that even possible?
Thank you for indulging me. I’ll step off my soapbox now.
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.).
