Tagged with 'incident command'

When it comes to hi visibility apparel, like high vis safety vests, beanies and high-vis jackets, other countries such as Australia, and especially The United Kingdom, are far more concerned with pedestrians staying safe than we are here in the United States. Fact of the matter is, they simply take to the streets on foot and bike more than we do. They have a culture that takes to walking and other modes of transportation, like bicycling, far more easier than we do. Which leads to the question: Do they simply lead more healthier lifestyes than Americans, or is it that gas prices have ben so high there for so long, or is it that their infrastructure is more designed to accomodate walkers and bikers with hi-vis vests and clothing?

Check out this article recently published in The Independent on the 10 Best High-Vis Gear for the U.K.

Pedestrians and bicyclists should consider the ML Kishigo P Series Mesh Vest. It's affordable and lightweight. This economy mesh vest features 3" Velcro front closure, comfortable cotton trim, and 3/4" elastic side closures for a universal one size fits most. Available with or without reflective tape.

Be seen to be safe is more than just a clever tagline - it is a proven fact. There are many work zone and roadside distractions which can draw a driver’s attention away from your presence. High visibility safety vests improve your ability to bee seen by bringing you back into the driver’s focus. Browse ANSI compliant vests suitable for use in daytime and low light conditions. Find a vest that is right for you - ANSI Class 2, ANSI Class 3, Public Safety, Flame Resistant, non-ANSI, Surveyors, and Incident Command. Choose Hi-Vis Supply for your hi-visibility vests and all of your hivis needs.

 

The Incident Command System was originally established in California in response to natural disasters, and the complications of several agencies trying to cooperate to effectively cope with these disasters and save lives. A unified Incident Command eliminated structural and communication problems associated with agency cooperation during a national crisis.

Concepts of Incident Command include:

- Unity of Command

- Universal Terminology

- Management by Objective

- Flexible and Modular Organization

- Span-of-Control

Concepts were then integrated into the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in 2003.



NIMS is a comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. It is intended to:

- Be applicable across a full spectrum of potential incidents, hazards, and impacts, regardless of size, location or complexity

- Improve coordination and cooperation between public and private entities in a variety of incident management activities

- Provide a common standard for overall incident management

FEMA's NIMS Resource center details a:

- Five-Year NIMS Training Plan

- NRF Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC)

- NIMS Courses

Safety is an important issue for everyone, but an often overlooked occupation where workers put their lives on the line every day - well, one every school day - is the often un-noticed, and under-appreciated, school crossing guard.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines a crossing guard as someone who directs traffic (both pedestrian and vehicular) on streets, at schools, and at railroad crossings and construction sites. In 2007, there were an estimated 70,000 school crossing guards employed nationally, and in the years between 1993 to 2006, there were 97 school crossing guard fatalities, or almost 7 a year. This may not seem like a lot of deaths, but these men and women put their lives on the line each day to keep our children safe.

Additionally, the state of Florida reports that in 2006, 39% of all 16 and under pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 pm. Of the 516 fatalities, 104, or (20%) were pedestrians - usually children. In an effort to lower these numbers, the state trains crossing guards to:
• Use proper crossing techniques consistently
• Encourage patterns of proper crossing behavior by students
• Deter students from committing unsafe/unlawful acts
• Recognize and report hazardous conditions
• Take proper actions in an emergency
• Know their responsibilities and limitations of authority
• Exhibit professionalism and instill confidence
• Earn students’ respect

In a New Jersey report, other factors attributing to motor-vehicle related injuries include among school crossing guards include:
• Unsafe driving
• Parents rushing to and through the school zone
• Distracted driving including cell phones, eating, drinking and smoking

As parents, let's respect school crossing guards, the men and women who serve our children every day and make sure they get to cross the street safely. As drivers, let's start paying attention to school zones, and wait to send that text message, or wait to eat the fast food when we get home.

At HiVis Supply, we are proud to resell high visibility apparel including incident command vests, safety vests, and traffic vests, as well as traffic safety accessories and ANSI compliant vests for crossing guards, pedestrian crossing and speed limit signs.

High-visibility protective garments are required for right-of-way workers, flaggers, and adult crossing guards in a document called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is the basis for federal and state highway regulations. These garments must be compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107, the American National Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.

Public safety workers such as law enforcement, firefighters, and other emergency responders have the option of wearing high-visibility vests specifically designed for their use and compliant with the ANSI/ISEA 207, American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests.

A revision to the MUTCD published in December 2009 mandates that public safety vests be labeled as compliant with the 2006 version of the standard, or a subsequent revision. ANSI approved the revision to the standard in 2011, and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) requested an interpretation from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that garments meeting the new standard would be acceptable, pointing out that the requirements of the two standards for daytime and nighttime visibility are essentially the same.

FHWA has agreed, and issued an official interpretation stating that the ANSI/ISEA 207-2011 standard is equivalent to the 2006 version, and that garments labeled as meeting the 2011 standard would be in compliance with the MUTCD requirements.

This article is a re-print from Feb 07, 2012 - Occupational Health and Safety.

PSV Pro 300 Series Police
Vest with Blue Trim

The PSV Pro 300 Series Police vest features a durable mesh material with color
coded fabric trim for proper public service department identification; along
with a high visibility 2" silver reflective material with contrasting background
color. Five point breakaway design; as well as snap up flaps to allow greater
accessibility to toolbelts and gear. Each vest includes two chest mic tabs. The
vest folds into a convenient pouch for storage. The vest also offers 4-season
adjustability to accomodate bulky coats.
Be sure to visit HiVis Supply for all of your hi vis safety vest needs including hi visibility vest for flaggers, hi-vis for incident command and emergency responders.