No shit! In my EMS days we responded to an old folks home for a fire. Probably 3 engines, 2 ladders, 6 or 7 ambus and loads of police for traffic control. "Sir can we come by?" You mean you want us to move the active fire engine and triage tent so you can drive by? Flashing lights attract idiots.
As a former firefighter and now someone who does incident command for a State DOT, this video is great. The only other thing I would have added would have been suggesting people take a TIM class. It's free and can be taken in person or online. As far as equipment goes, well hell I have used and do use endless different wands, lights, cones etc. over the years. The number one thing is wear your hi-vis gear and the number two thing is always have an escape route. Personally I like ML Kishigo apparel for traffic control. I also love a good old maglite or streamlight with wand attachments to direct traffic. Finally, I keep a filled hi-vis camelback in my state vehicle for long duration events. That way I can stay hydrated and it keeps my hands free for directing traffic.
I drive a tow truck. The official training by TRAA says to park the truck in line with traffic to block. I've found that people just see that as a stopped vehicle, not something blocking/directing traffic. Parking at an angle to assist with that visual cue is way more effective.
Police here in Australia carry their green High Vis vests on their duty belts. They carry their rigs on a Nylon belt as this carries their .40 Glocks better. I have a AA Flasher sewn into the base of my vest as if the weather changes / overcast I have something until I can switch. During summer, our Police switch to the high vis baseball caps as for special events with large crowds.
Greatly appreciate the shots from the field showing real life examples. The whiteboard is great but the clips really help! Traffic is something I feel is not taught enough in most academies and it’s an important topic that is usually the most dangerous part of the job for officers.
@@freefieldtraining I think a terrific video would be gear to buy before or during police academy. Your police academy videos always seem to be the most popular and get the most questions. I think a lot of guys are also in a mindset where they don't want to buy too many things that won't fit their department's codes or guidelines after they complete academy.
I'm not sure I could give good advice on that since every academy has a different checklist. Maybe I could do something in the realm of "things I wish I knew before I went to the police academy" focusing on gear you don't need, sizing stuff you do properly, and mindset.
@@freefieldtraining That's fair. Sometimes it's odd as well since states like IL require a department before academy where states like MO require you to complete academy before entering a department. My copy of Graduating with Honors should be arriving this evening so that will be good to look over. Besides the academy videos I think a lot of viewers always enjoy gear reviews and duty set ups. Especially plate carriers and belts.
@@BluMurmillo I've got more belt setup stuff int eh future and a few higher end gear reviews. I'm trying to get out of the flashlight review gig though. It has been nothing but a hassle to deal with most of the companies.
Awesome video! I don't understand how the "retro" modifying "reflective" is so hard for my local City both and each Fire and PD to understand. This, much less, the backlighting BS. HIGHLIGHT of the video (sorry, dad-jokes) about the hoods! Now one for me was the gloves, thanks!
about 6 years back, I used to live right next to a major highway/crossroads. Cops were there all the time because of accidents(also because there was a post there for different officers). One night a deputy was directing traffic at the middle of the crossroads. Apparently there was a gas pipeline that was getting work done on down the one road and it ended up getting damaged, so about 1-2 miles down the road there was a giant pit dug out and a gas pipe line sticking out of the center of the road, leaking gas and harsh fumes. I was sitting on the porch watching the deputy direct cars for about 20 minutes, everything was going smooth. That was until some dude in a Saturn decided to yell at the deputy to 'FUCK OFF PIG" literally drives through the intersection, ended up almost hitting the deputy and running him over. Then he drove off about 60mps down the road. The deputy got on his radio and started explaining what happened. And I kid you not, no more than 1-2 minutes later, there was a super loud 'BANG'. I then see about 10 squad cars and a ambulance driving down the road after the dude in the Saturn. The next day on the morning news, surly enough, there it was, the dude crashed his car into the giant dug up pit right as they were fixing the gas pipe.
Great video! I carry a fox40 whistle to help “grab” the attention of the people who are looking everywhere but at my direction. I should add one of those guardians to my kit.
Really good video with really good points on staying safe from the morons of the world while working in the road. Especially liked the backlighting point, so easy to focus on what is in front of you that you forget what you look like to drivers. Glad to see you still making classic quality training videos like this 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Yeah, I don’t doubt the amount of time you have to put in. This one seemed especially in-depth with all the cut away shots to footage done in the field. I hope you know that we all appreciate the effort and time you put into the videos. I’ve been watching and using the advice since I was a new guy. Have a great Christmas with your family, especially if you’re working during.
The pop up cones are great. Even with a big fire truck we’re pressed for space as well. And the light up function is great too... until a trooper runs a couple of them over
I use the Gen 3 2D cell LED Maglite with an orange cone on it. The cones really work better than just pointing with a flashlight and strobing the drivers. And buy yourself a super loud whistle! That's important.
Great video Tommy. The one thing that you forgot to mention is that vest you should wear need to be a tear away type, at least five point. This way should they vehicle you are directing does pay attention hooks your vest as they go by the vest tips off you and doesn't cause you to be dragged by the vehicle. Thanks for the video and stay safe and warm.
One of the things I like to have available in the vehicle, is a pair of chemlights. When all the batteries fail, all I have to do is crack those and I have functioning light wands that will last most of the night.
P.s. Sorry for the comment on an old video, just thought I'd put my 2¢ in. We use those chemlights at work to direct vehicles after dark around aircraft on the ramp, too.
I’ve been working Traffic for 20 yrs this September... I’ve seen a lot ... I’ve been at the same locations for 15 plus’s years ....I have 2 locations... but it totally it’s amazing me how much traffic has changed since I’ve started with SBSO .... back in the day we didn’t have to worry as much about getting drivers being preoccupied or trying to get there attention... Today we have cell phone’s and texting while driving... I can not tell you how many times I’ve turned my head JUST IN TIME to move out the way !! You have to have what we call a swivel head.. Lol constantly looking all around... but I love my job an I love the people ...this video is very helpful so ty for your time for putting this together looking forward to more videos....
If your anything other than a police officer you need a flagger paddle to direct traffic. As EMS, Fire, tow ,or anything else you can’t just use a flashlight or wand. It’s a huge osha violation that can cost your company or department a lot of money.
Oops... Somebody better tell every firefighter, esda, and tow driver I've ever seen directing traffic. Someone should create an open source educational resource people can go to on RU-vid to learn about...
free field training no we had one lane shut down for paving and a car came out of a driveway into oncoming traffic so a guy at the paver stepped out to direct the one guy over and the second car in-line was an osha guy. We are a large company that’s been around for a while so that was our third offense and every offense is just more money. The other two offenses I’ve been told where the same kind of thing. we sub out our flagging.
Outstanding video! Actually, I have everything you mentioned, doubles of most!! (80% of which I purchased ) including a set of 'knock off' Guardian Angel lights. My collapsible cones, which I LOVE, also light up (either flashing or stationary) and if the batteries should die, instead of changing them out in traffic, I grab the little knock offs and clip them on! Oh and a paddle as well, for day time use, both summer and winter gloves..yes, summer! You wouldn't believe how much better they 'see' your hands when they are more than flesh tone!! AND a pea-less whistle, such as my FOX40! Very loud and very effective in any kind of weather! Everything mentioned and shown in the video helps & works to our advantage, provided the drivers aren't distracted! I do, however, still carry a case of road flares to set up for early warning, especially when working around a bend or knoll in the road, gives them a heads up. (again, if they are paying attention to the road) P.S. I still have people drive up on me and say... "I didn't see you".. Seriously? My reply: "Then put down your phone, because I SAW you!! ''
Tommy, I don't know if you've ever been to Dallas but it's par for the course here for people to even completely ignore "ROAD CLOSED" signs. Working road/highway construction, at nighttime, in the DFW area? That's for men who like to live dangerously ahaha
Australian Police carry their high viz vests on their duty belts along with .40 Glocks. 2 wands are used for directing traffic which used to be cones on top of Maglite Torches (Flashlights in the USA). Police are now wearing the High Viz baseball caps in big crowds.
I have picked up about a couple dozen plastic shelves that will convert C and D size batteries to use AA or even AAA batteries. When using with LED lights they are as bright and last a good long time. Also as you said keep your lights I use two solar charging power banks to be able to charge while things are in the trunk or in bags. Thanks for the info.
I was waiting for you to mention this BIG gear mistake, but I guess it's outside the scope of this video. Anyway, speaking as a civilian, the *worst* thing that an officer can do when directing traffic at night is to leave their squad car's light bar on its *daytime* setting. Nearly burned my eyes out and I was terrified that I'd hit a telephone pole trying to get by... or even hit the officer. Couldn't see jack. :-/ (Okay, I've only experienced this once, but it was memorable.)
Most cops don't have it , don't use it, or don't know how to use it. Out of the 6 vehicles I'm usually in, only 1 Federal box has the low power mode. Also, depending on how your lights are wired up, it may not make a big difference. On ours, if you have it, it dims our Federal Valor bar OK, but not all the ancillary lights on the rear deck and tail. So, YMMV.
Everyone that works with traffic knows those pop up cones are garbage because after they get run over once they’re done. Regular cones are tanks when they get run over
Great informative video. I know that traffic control is near the bottom of the list of things that LEOs want to do, but taking it seriously and planning accordingly is very important. I personally use my Streamlight Stinger with a traffic wand. The first thing I do when I get the wand is cut the end off so that I can shine the flashlight at drivers to get their attention. I would strongly recommend against using just a flashlight with no wand, it is extremely difficult as a driver to understand the directions being given, unless you utilize hi viz gloves like those recommended.
In am in the airport ramp service sector not law enforcement but when it comes to traffic wands I sent the makers of those saber lights (Star wars) a product suggestion and getting into the manufacturing of wands, the same wands that are using in law enforcement are pretty much the same wands used for Marshaling aircraft in the airport ramp service. When It comes class 2 vests I have seen some but not alot of vest that can be battery powered for the lights that are mounted on the vest. I guess they are not manufactured that much at this time.
From an ex Navy Sailor there is only one answer to the best coffee mug/cup/Thermos and that is: THE BIGGER THE BETTER, remember it's not how you use it, it's the size that matters.
I have a question regarding the National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory Integrity 2 (NCJOSI2) Is it something you have to study for or is it a test you can take off of general knowledge.
If you want to see the depravity of man kind just direct traffic and watch all the people who completely ignore your directions, are too oblivious to even notice you, or just completely lose all common sense lol
Is there a link to those gloves? They look very useful I work Security and while on patrol on certain roads, people still can’t seem to see me crossing even with my vest and flashlight
