PAX Centurion - January / February 2013

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • January/February 2013 • Page 37 The High Visibility Challenge S o why is there such a push on folks to wear the high visibil- ity jacket or vest while working on roadways and highways? Well, first of all, the Federal government began to mandate it for all first responders around 2008. This includes EMS, Police and Firefighters. It also includes tow truck drivers, highway workers and basically anyone working on a roadway/highway. So why do we have such a hard time making it part of our culture?After all, when you drive thru other cities, towns and states, overall, it is an accepted part of “doing work on a highway or roadway”.You put it on as you would any other piece of your PPE. Part of the reason I believe that there is such resistance is that those involved in Public Safety do not like change, yet we live in a world of it constantly. We come to work, have a routine that is often inter- rupted by the nature of the job but overwhelmingly we have a routine. We do not like to have something new immediately shoved down our throat without someone consulting us. After all, we know what is best for us, right?Well, first of all, the HighVisibility Rule is nothing new. Since roughly 2008, a Federal regulation went into effect that basically mandates the wearing of high visibility clothing for anyone working on a roadway. Not to bore you but it says in part the follow- ing; The Rule (634.3) in its revised form states that: “All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid high- way who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel. Firefighters or other emergency responders working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials may wear retroreflective turn-out gear that is specified and regulated by other organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association. Firefighters or other emergency respond- ers working within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway and engaged in any other types of operations shall wear high- visibility safety apparel.” E ach year people that work the highways and roadways of America are killed, injured and maimed just while trying to perform their job, provide for their families and to bring home a paycheck. Because of this fact, numerous agencies are becoming much more diligent in making sure that their employees are in fact wearing the proper equipment. It has been difficult to find enough data for EMS personnel that have been struck by motor vehicles while working roadway incidents. However one only has to look at the various LODDMemorial Sites to see the list of individuals that have been “struck and killed” while on scene at a roadway incident over the years. And tragically these do not take into account those who have been injured bad enough to either be out of work or have a had a life altering and career ending injury. And those of you that have not experienced a “near miss” on a roadway are indeed fortunate. The fact of thematter is that people today aremuchmore over- whelmed by everything around them; (car radio, GPS devices, cell phones, laptop computers etc.) to be paying full attention as towhat is going on the roadways in front of them. Therefore, we as Public Safety need every edge that can be afforded to us. This includes but is not limited Boston EMS Corner: Eric McDevitt, C73 to; taking advantage of vehicle positioning and blocking patterns, varied emergency light patterns to the High Visibility gear that are provided to us. The Federal LODD benefit that can be paid out to an individual can be sub- stantial, however there obviously are requirements that need to be met in order for the estate to receive it. Now obviously, the administrator, (a branch of the Department of Justice) will want to make sure that the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed. Does this mean that someone who might not be abiding by a requirement when they tragically lose their life or have a life altering injury won’t have the benefit paid out? Not at all. However why take a chance. In the time it takes for a simple act that can be accomplished in the same amount of time that it takes you to put on any other piece of PPE could make the difference. A s time has changed, so have the issues and skills that we are dealing with on a daily basis. The City has changed, the politics have changed. One thing that has not changed is the commitment to ensure that everyone has as safe a shift and working environment as we possibly can make it. THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT PEER SUPPORT UNIT We are a peer-driven support program for police officers and their families. Our program is completely confidential and is available to ALL police officers and their families. Group or individual help with handling family and life issues, alcohol, drugs, anger and domestic issues. Referral for specialist as needed. 251 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126 Office: 617-598-7888 (M-F 9 am-5 pm) Off-Hours, On-Call Peer Counselor: 617-343-4680 Sometimes even WE need a little help from our friends! !