First Issue Traffic Vests?
An e-mailer has said we're all getting new traffic vests, those lime-green things the CFD has been wearing at accident scenes. Anyone know anything about this?
Labels: info for the police
posted by SCC at 12:02 AM
Monday, December 13, 2010
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47 Comments:
Federal mandate that the city of Chicago MUST comply by a certain date or lose money. First issued WILL be forthcoming. Bank on it.
R&D already has the specs approved.
Nonsense...move along now
It's a DOT requirement now when in or near active traffic lanes. If you are hit by a car while no wearing the vest, we (fire) are considered out of uniform without the proper safety equipment and therefore not "covered".
I don't know about CPD but a lot of suburban departments (including mine) have issued new traffic vests to comply with OSHA regulations regarding reflectivity (ANSI class 2 I believe) and break away ability if it gets snagged by a car or truck.
OSHA rules. They changed the color to green a couple of years ago. Most all other service and construction workers have had lime green vests since back then. My wife works for the railroad and they went into compliance the day the directive was issued by OSHA. Typical city response, day late and a dollar short.
This is a federal law about a year old. All emergency workers who are on a major street must wear the things. CFD has had them for awhile. If you're at a crash, or directing traffic or crowds, you have to wear it or you, not the dept, are in violation of federal law. I suspect some copper won't bother with it, will get hit by a car, and the dept will deny the IOD because he or she was in violation of the law.
But there'll always be POs too macho to take care of their own asses.
I graduated this year. We were told that they'd be bought by the City this year as first issue new vests. I am told recruits in Academy already only have them.
Anonymous said...
Federal mandate that the city of Chicago MUST comply by a certain date or lose money. First issued WILL be forthcoming. Bank on it.
R&D already has the specs approved.
12/13/2010 12:11:00 AM
... just as soon as the Vanecko & Davis Uniform Company has laid in an adequate supply from China.
Everyone else uses lime green. Chicago Police use 35 year old specs. Or older.
Typical City MO.
Fucking retarded!!!!!
Typical city response, day late and a dollar short.
===================================
Does the city have to SHOW compliance BEORE they get the federal money?
I thought that date for compliance on that was long past. I thought they had to be worn by 1 Jan 10 to be in compliance????
this has been an OSHA requirement for anyone working on a major streets for years. I remember reading the regulation about 3 yrs ago and concluding that CPD was not compliant. ANy officer struck by a vehicle while completing an accident report on a major street probably has a decent lawsuit. THE CITY HAS BEEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE for at least 2 to 3 years. OSHA required that the city provide you with this equipment and the city has been blowing this off for a long time.
easy write up for inspectors
They announced it at the FOP meeting a few months ago. It's federal grant money and we're going to be required to wear it while handling any sort of traffic detail/incident.
Posters are correct...Lime green vests are a new requirement by federal standards...
The rule has been incorporated in Part 634 ("Worker Visibility") of Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
It can be found in the online CFR at
www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_08/23cfr634_08.html/
Full effect on this law is this Nov. 24, 2008.
Nothing like being right on with compliance.....
Rumour is the CFD Chief who purchased these in order to comply with the law caught shit from the city over the purchase.....
I love lime green.
Aviation Police have had them issued for years, its OHSA mandated. They must be break a way.
The city can have your star and iD imprinted on the vest also.
We got them in Aurora last year. It's a new federal law that you have to wear them when doing traffic duties.
Another contract to give out to the Daley family friends.
Was passing through the intersection of Diversy, Western, and Elston the other day and thought back on how my partner and I had to direct traffic as PPO's there at night with no vests at all. That was in 1992 as part of Kennedy Reconstruction Traffic. I guess things change.
I think I'll push back my retirement date now til I get my vest. Anything else coming down the pipe?
The Jody Weis Bobble-Head Dolls, the next great Christmas stocking stuffer.
true...mentioned at FOP meeting
Green's been here for a while looking spiffy. Just checkout the "Green People" as they stand on the sidewalk talking to the baby's mama, while the gridlock continues. They're everywhere, but let's not replace retiring officers.
retired almost 14yrs........
Must be a $$ thing. Somebody makes vets and the city buys from that company.(For a kickback of course)
I don't see what the big deal is. I don't mind having to wear one. I've had enough close calls on crime scenes, at night, in the middle of winter when you're covered head to toe in dark clothing and standing in the middle of the street directing traffic that can't see you.
It is actually a State law that anyone, including emergency personell working in an active traffic area wear the vest as a safety precaution. I'm surprised they haven't done this a long time ago. Especially when on the expressway's at an accident scene.
"easy write up for inspectors"
There are no Inspectors.
on the topic of vests,
Depty Georgas, in all of his wisdom, decided that one of the police boats should be kept at the water plant with the fire boat. Problem is is, the weather has been beating the shit out of one of the work horses, M-1. So with the lake temp down around 34 degrees and the seas at about 12 feet high , whats left of the marine unit manpower took the 45 footer down to 95thstreet so the boat could get put in the boat in the marine unit slips for the winter which is where is should be, where it has been for the last 15 years and where it will be til spring.. Stupid Steve, is someone gonna have to get hurt or killed befor you realize you have no clue what is going on on the lake?
Merry Christmas , stay safe.
Anonymous said...
easy write up for inspectors
12/13/2010 08:27:00 AM
What Inspectors? Where the hell have you been?
From the latest Snurd's column:
In an attempt to bridge the gap between Washington D.C. and Chicago, Mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel is passing out OSHA friendly lime green vests to all CPD officers by Christmas. When questioned about the letters on the back of the vests, the Rahmsworld spokesperson has reassured the CPD that OSHA approved reflective tape is used to spell "VOTE FOR RAHM" on the back of each vest. Safety, once again, is not being compromised for the men and women in blue.
WELL, WHAT IF GREEN IS NOT MY COLOR!!!
Anonymous said...
Everyone else uses lime green. Chicago Police use 35 year old specs. Or older.
Typical City MO.
12/13/2010 06:34:00 AM
Is that near Jefferson City?
FUCK the vest ~ when are we getting radios that work, batteries that hold a charge, etc??
I always said that the uniform coats should have reflective strips, after directing traffic at night in the rain when the power is out
No street lights, no traffic lights Pitch black in a leather jacket
Great idea it will help you get to the pension bd and not the hospital
what ever happened to the days of a copper directing traffic with a baton in hand, shiny black shoes, creased slacks, aviator sun glasses, and nice hat?
"what ever happened to the days of a copper directing traffic with a baton in hand, shiny black shoes, creased slacks, aviator sun glasses, and nice hat?"
That outfit went the way of CHiPs!
Slacks?? C'mon. Really?? And that bus driver hat (which even bus drivers don't have to wear anymore)??
No thanks!!
Anonymous said...
what ever happened to the days of a copper directing traffic with a baton in hand, shiny black shoes, creased slacks, aviator sun glasses, and nice hat?
12/13/2010 09:21:00 PM
The same thing that happened to airplanes with propellers and a wing top and bottom and steamships that took passengers across the ocean and rotary dial telephones and straight six cylinder '57 Chevys.
Anonymous said...
on the topic of vests,
Depty Georgas, in all of his wisdom, decided that one of the police boats should be kept at the water plant with the fire boat. Problem is is, the weather has been beating the shit out of one of the work horses, M-1. So with the lake temp down around 34 degrees and the seas at about 12 feet high , whats left of the marine unit manpower took the 45 footer down to 95thstreet so the boat could get put in the boat in the marine unit slips for the winter which is where is should be, where it has been for the last 15 years and where it will be til spring.. Stupid Steve, is someone gonna have to get hurt or killed befor you realize you have no clue what is going on on the lake?
Merry Christmas , stay safe.
12/13/2010 05:02:00 PM
The big boats always stayed on the harbor (sheltered) side of the breakwater with bubblers going 24/7 underneath to keep them from freezing in.
The others would have already been taken out of the water and into winter storage at one of the boatyards. But that cost rent money.
Steve Georgas has demonstrated his lack of acumen in running that unit and that continues as deputy chief of special functions.
For a long time that unit had someone running it who at least knew something about the lake and boats. What a concept.
Now, no matter which Lt they get it is Georgas in there with his fingers in everything micro managing things. Incorrectly.
When he was in 018, Georgas used to watch the POD cameras, from HOME, and call in on the radio to move special employment officers around Cabrini. I saw and heard this happen many times including Friday and Saturday nights.
I wonder if he still watches and directs the wrecking cranes.
Ahhhh the old days...Squad cars with real Mars bars and bubblegum rotating lights...cutouts in the vinyl dash for your coffee cup...the aramo of cigar and cigarette smoke in the headliner...directing traffic with your hat on and a 5-C-cell Maglite in hand...1 radio per 2-man car and no PDT...sergeants you never saw or called unless you were really i the shit...bosses who knew the job and were respected...real watch parties when you changed schedules every 28-days (and man weren't they some great parties)...3-4 wagons per watch and when you needed help the wagonmen were the ones relied on..........nostalgia. I guess some day we'll look back on today as the good ole days.
Typical City MO.
12/13/2010 06:34:00 AM
Is that near Jefferson City?
++++++++++++++++++++++
Coppers are one funny bunch. I almost choked on my bacon sammich on this one.
"Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
what ever happened to the days of a copper directing traffic with a baton in hand, shiny black shoes, creased slacks, aviator sun glasses, and nice hat?
12/13/2010 09:21:00 PM
The same thing that happened to airplanes with propellers and a wing top and bottom and steamships that took passengers across the ocean and rotary dial telephones and straight six cylinder '57 Chevys.
12/14/2010 04:15:00 AM"
Don't forget the TRAFFIC ACE WHISTLE!
There was a time when you could here the rhythm of the city in the toots, blasts and flourishes of the whistles of the Michigan Avenue Traffic Men. I still have mine, along with my Call Box Key and Smith & Wesson Model 66. They have all served me well.
When I told the crackhead that I pay to do my traffic stops for me about this sudden turn of fashion events, he didn't like it. He didn't it one bitty, bitch.
A real cop whistled with his fingers.
Those Tony Manero creases right down the front and center.
I'm retired now but I'll hang out in my old uniform so's I can grab a cuppla dem green vests. They sound nice for fishin'.
"A real cop whistled with his fingers.
12/16/2010 05:00:00 AM"
a real cop whistles with his roscoe.
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