| Reflective chevrons were recently installed on the back of several pieces of West Grove Fire Company apparatus to increase visibility and provide additional on scene safety. The project was made possible by a grant from The Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, administered through The Office of State Fire Commissioner.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently adopted a new standard that requires all new fire apparatus manufactured after January 1, 2009 to have 50% of the rear of the apparatus to be covered with 6" alternating red/yellow stripes in a chevron pattern, sloping downward and away from the center line of the vehicle at an angle of 45 degrees. This standard was developed because of the increased number of emergency vehicles being struck while parked on the roadways during accidents and other roadway incidents.
The motoring public needs to have consistent warnings across the nation when it comes to emergency vehicles blocking travel lanes, just like stop signs look the same in every state. Therefore, the red and yellow chevrons were selected as a standard "look". Yellow was chosen as one of the colors because it is the most distinguishable color in daylight as well.
This project was for the three pieces of apparatus that regularly respond to roadway incidents, with plans to retrofit the remaining apparatus in the future. We also expect to take delivery of a new Rescue-Pumper in the summer of 2009 that will already have the NFPA compliant chevrons installed.
The chevrons were installed at our station by Thom Miller from Creative Signworks, Lancaster, PA. |
