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Safety Upgrades at South Salem
By 2nd Assistant Chief Avery Scott
March 18, 2011
Recently, Engine 167 received a major safety upgrade that will make it much more visible at accident scenes. The rear of 167 is now covered in highly reflective dots in a Chevron pattern. This meets the requirement set forth by NFPA 1901 that states that all apparatus built after 2009 must have,
" 50% of the rear-facing vertical surface of all vehicles must now be covered with reflective red and yellow stripes in a chevron pattern sloping downward from the center of the vehicle at a 45-degree angle. The stripes must be 6 in wide, instead of the minimum combined width of 4 in specified on the sides and front. Although there is some latitude on the exact shade of yellow to be used, other colors may not be substituted."
While Engine 167 was built in 2004, the Officers and Members of the department felt that making this upgrade would greatly increase safety, not just for the firefighters but for the public as well. Every year there are dozens of fire trucks that are struck by motorists, while operating at scenes due to poor visibility.
Over the coming weeks, all South Salem apparatus will be striped in similar fashion.
