ANSI VESTS / Use / Placement

In November of 2008, legislation was implemented that requires EMS providers, police, firefighters and all responders to wear American National Standards Institute (ANSI) International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) approved High Visibility Vests while conducting operations on roadways supported by federal dollars. In TIERS jurisdiction this would be all NYS Routes 12 and 12 E as well as Interstate 81.

At a recent REMSCO meeting, our NYSDOH representative stated that several downstate EMS agencies were given citations (by NYSDOT) for “non-adherence” to this regulation which levies stiff penalties. Because of this potential it was suggested that we review our policy.

Our ANSI vest policy was posted last October but I am requesting everyone to please review it and during an event on one our area state and interstate roadways to please place the vest on.

TIERS ANSI VEST Guideline:

Placement of ANSI Vests

ANSI Vests will currently be draped over the driver and passenger seat in the ambulance. 2 more vests will be placed on hooks in back of the drivers and passenger seats, and another 2 vests will be placed in the side compartment with our safety flares.

Usage of ANSI VESTS

ANSI VESTS should be donned when we are at any incident “where our boots hit an Interstate or NYS Highway.” TIERS personnel must be responsible for the safety of themselves and their crew. Each crew member during an emergency should check their partner for their safety and see they also have an ANSI vest on as well. As safety advocates we should also make others, as police, fire, fire police and all other emergency workers are ANSI compliant.

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