Which statement is NOT true regarding on-scene safety equipment?

• A. Traffic vests must be ANSI compliant.
• B. Cones must be 28 inches minimum.
• C. Apparatus should be positioned to protect the crew.
• D. Hazards should be ignored if traffic is heavy.

Answer: (D)

On-scene safety hinges on using equipment and tactics that protect responders and control the work area. ANSI-compliant traffic vests are essential because they ensure high visibility in day and night conditions, helping drivers notice crews and reduce risk. A minimum cone height of 28 inches matters because taller cones are more easily seen from a distance and in glare, creating a clear, expandable buffer around the scene. Placing the apparatus to shield the crew establishes a physical barrier between responders and moving traffic, forming a safer corridor and reducing exposure to passing vehicles.

Hazards should always be addressed, even when traffic is heavy. Ignoring hazards puts everyone at greater risk and undermines the purpose of the safety zone. You would instead actively identify and mitigate hazards using the available equipment and tactical positioning. So the statement about ignoring hazards when traffic is heavy is not true.