What should responders NOT do while wearing high-visibility vests at a roadway incident?

At a roadway incident, responders wearing high-visibility vests are primarily there to enhance their visibility and safety in a potentially dangerous environment. However, performing hazardous activities is something that should be avoided to ensure responder safety. High-visibility vests are designed to make responders more noticeable to oncoming traffic, but they do not provide any protective capabilities against hazards such as moving vehicles or hazardous materials.

When responders engage in hazardous activities, it increases their risk of injury, especially in dynamic situations where vehicles are in motion. The purpose of wearing the high-visibility vest is to attract attention and ensure that responders can be seen by drivers, which is particularly important in scenarios where they may need to quickly move out of the way or take protective actions.

While providing first aid, directing traffic, and assisting fellow firefighters may be important tasks at a scene, they can typically be performed safely even while wearing a high-visibility vest, provided that responders remain aware of their surroundings and the risks inherent in those actions. Thus, avoiding hazardous activities while in high-visibility gear is critical for maintaining safety at a roadway incident.