Buckle up Decals

[Guest]

So what do others think of putting these types of Decals in the rigs?

Firefighter deaths continue to rise in serious vehicle accidents when seatbelts aren't worn. These large, 6" wide high-quality reflective decals serve as a timely reminder of a safety precaution too often forgotten in the rush to get to the scene. Post these on the front dashboard, officer door window, or in a key spot where you and your fellow firefighters can see them from all riding positions. Let's not forget that serious firefighting accidents don't only happen at the fire scene.

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/category...fety_reminders/

[Guest pentax02839]

that is great idea

[eike1701 1]

If it will work and sve the lifes of your crew or anyone else use it

[firecapt32 282]

Don't mean to rain on he subject, BUT WHY do we need the signs in the first place-- all you have to do is buckle up every time you get in the apparatus!!!! Just like you do when you get in your pov. It's that simple.

[Guest]

Don't mean to rain on he subject, BUT WHY do we need the signs in the first place-- all you have to do is buckle up every time you get in the apparatus!!!! Just like you do when you get in your pov. It's that simple.

Not sure who's responsible over all but the Officer and Driver should enforce this. Some thing like I am not moving this truck until your buckled in.

[Guest]

Don't mean to rain on he subject, BUT WHY do we need the signs in the first place-- all you have to do is buckle up every time you get in the apparatus!!!! Just like you do when you get in your pov. It's that simple.

If it where that simple, why do ff's keep getting seriously injured or killed from being ejected from the apparatus? Besides whose to say everyone buckles up in their pov. If they can’t do it in the apparatus, I bet they don’t in their pov either.

As far as who is responsible, it’s the officer. Officers have the responsibility of all FF's on board.

[x635 4,066]

What I don't like about the stickers is that there's even a need for them. The second thing I don't like is that there's a company selling them for profit.

I'm sorry, but selling buffy "Buckle Up" stickers is very,very sad and embarrasing statement for our profession, one of which we should be role models for seatbelt use.

[nycemt728 49]

Totally agree! It's sad the same people who day after day pull people out of wrecks, bring them to the hospital or pull them over refuse to wear their own seatbelts. There's NO good reason not to wear a belt. This needs to be everyone's priority, not just the officer...for everyone's safety. While I agree selling them is a little tacky, I would rather see that than the result of not heeding their advice....perhaps they should come standard.

[Guest seanc]

in briarcliff if an officer, or anyone sees you not wearing a buckle while the truck is in motion you are automatically suspended

[SteveOFD 176]

As an Officer in my Company, I always ask if everyone on board is buckled up before we leave quarters. Very few members buckle up. Even though there is a stated Department policy (from Department Officer's Meeting minutes, there are no current Department SOP's) that seat belts will be used, there are no written disciplinary actions for not following this policy. Without disciplinary authority, Officers have very little help in enforcing this policy.

[firecapt32 282]

First of all if you dont buckle up in your pov shame on you theres no excuse--ohh wait---there is YOU CANT FIX STUPID!!!

Officers responsibility in the apparatus---drivers should not pull out of the fire station with out asking is every one seated and is every one buckled.

remember 25% of firfighters deaths are attributted to apparatus accidents responding/returning from calls this includes personal pov.

If you department has a buckle up policy and you drive you pov hmmm you are part of the department and are accountible for you actions. maybe with holding the insurance money from a "line of duty death" or maybe we should nt call it a line of duty death. but who do we ppunnish--the fammily and thats not right. so lets not be stupid.

buckle up in your pov as well as ths fire apparatus

[ajsbear 11]

You first need the officers to enforce seatbelts. Most of the officers in my department do. I just came back from a run and the officer on thew rig never asked. It's rare for me to ride with him on board and usually I will drive another rig since he and I do not get along. The officers need to ask each time. I do when I drive and that is most of the time. It should be second nature. Get in a vehicle, put on the belt. It's not hard and it just may save your life. It just takes a second or three.

[CTFF 65]

If these stickers save one life, remind one person in the rig to check if everyone is belted they are worth it.

There are many levels of responsibility when it comes to firefighters buckling up.

First is YOUR responsibility to make sure YOU are buckled. You owe it to your family, and fellow firefighters we don’t need to go to one more LODD that could have been prevented.

Second it is the Drivers responsibility, they are in charge on what is going on with that apparatus. If a rig was not safe would you drive it? If it ever gets to a legal issue you think a lawyer is not going to pick on the driver?

Then it falls to the officer, lets face it not every rig leaves the station with a officer today. The officer is responsible for making sure the firefighter sunder his command are as safe as possible.

Again if YOU BUCKLE UP hopefully it will never be an issue.

[PVFD233 68]

I highly recommend TheFireStore.com, New that I just noticed is the "Apparatus Visibility Decals"...

Click Here

[Remember585 815]

I'm in no way against wearing my seatbelt in the rig. I have been good about wearing it when I drive, and am working harder at wearing it in the Officer's seat or a crew seat.

BUT

The lap belts in our rig keep getting tangled inside the retracting unit and don't come out so I can't wear it. We keep checking them and trying to fix them as often as we can but the damn things keeps doing it! Additionally, the shoulder restraints at the other seats in the back are mounted so that when I wear it, it goes right across my neck. It's very uncomfortable and give me a mental image of getting a broken neck or decapped.

Anyone else feel this way?

[Monty 35]

I'm in no way against wearing my seatbelt in the rig. I have been good about wearing it when I drive, and am working harder at wearing it in the Officer's seat or a crew seat.

BUT

The lap belts in our rig keep getting tangled inside the retracting unit and don't come out so I can't wear it. We keep checking them and trying to fix them as often as we can but the damn things keeps doing it! Additionally, the shoulder restraints at the other seats in the back are mounted so that when I wear it, it goes right across my neck. It's very uncomfortable and give me a mental image of getting a broken neck or decapped.

Anyone else feel this way?

I feel your pain. In our engine, the seatbelts in the rear are mounted so high that the shoulder restraints rub on my neck. Personally, I often place the shoulder restraint under my arm - probably not as effective, but I'm sure it's better than no seatbelt. Anyone have any thoughts on a better solution?

[HFD750 6]

Ok I'll admit it, I bought a bunch of those seat belt stickers and put them around certain areas of the firehouse. Also put them inside the cab the engines and the rescue. Hey the way I look at it,if it helps remind them good enough. But yes,they should be buckled up!! stickers or no stickers...

Edited September 15, 2007 by HFD750

[Remember585 815]

To answer the question of who is responsible for ensuring everyone is sitting and belted in:

Appendix A.6.2.4 of NFPA 1500 states, “The driver of any vehicle has legal responsibility for its safe and prudent operation at all times. While the driver is responsible for the operation of the vehicle, the officer is responsible for the actions of the driver.”

NFPA 1500 Section 6.2.5 states that "drivers shall not move fire apparatus until all persons on the vehicle are seated and secured with seat belts,”