Directing Traffic | The Gear You Need | Comparisons

[@Adam-xl5uj]

I never knew the absolute dumbness of society until I strapped on my traffic vest and directed traffic for the first time....

[@keeptyrannyfromamerica8519]

Friend in Ireland gave me one of their everyday yellow reflective everyday vests. I seriously think they aim for us.

[@john-michaelfranco4694]

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.

[@KeithDavid12M92Y]

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.

[@subaruforester5062]

I can only imagine the people in the house across the parking lot. Lmao "mom look at this guy, what's he doing?!". Great video

[@drumset09]

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.

[@collectornick4270]

Thanks for making this! I'm a Firefighter EMT and this is helping to take new things into consideration.

[@connieestaves5316]

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....

[@BluAnimal]

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]

It took quite a bit of time but I'm pretty happy with the results. If you any if you patrons have video ideas please hut me up.

[@BluAnimal]

@@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.

[@freefieldtraining]

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.

[@BluAnimal]

@@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.

[@freefieldtraining]

@@BluAnimal 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.

[@Tacticalcatninja]

I love watching you I’m a armed Security Officer and I am in the process to getting into the police academy and I love getting advice from you 💙👮

[@myrandomthoughts9106]

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.

[@freefieldtraining]

They are a really great tool at night. I'm really happy with mine.

[@Firsir]

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 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@freefieldtraining]

I'm trying. As topics get more complex it takes longer to create the video. This one took about six months to produce.

[@Firsir]

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.

[@dianegrimes6260]

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!! ''

[@seanconlin8712]

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.

[@matthewellisor5835]

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!

[@matthewbrown6163]

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.

[@Daughertydylan]

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.

[@Daughertydylan]

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.

[@zachbrenner9959]

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

[@DragoChronicSmoker42]

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.

[@brianbrown7530]

Great gear and a simple Fox 40 whistle is very effective as well.

[@theelectricreality]

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.

[@jasonbenton9212]

Safety depot multi color High visibility jacket is available and very safe

[@dibroc8348]

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.

[@matthewbrown6163]

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.

[@mikeburgan7675]

Guardian Angel for sure!

[@zimmyrox]

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.

[@bebop_557]

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

[@TimothyMTran706]

Looks like I will be interested in my workplace when it is busy.

[@tacticalsecurityandgearrev6742]

hey how are you just wondering what is ESDA stand for thanks in advance keep up the amazing work stay safe brother

[@TierTalk]

What kind of coffee you drinking. Lol

[@aliciaDiaz716]

Wanted to see how you did the glow effect in the dark scenery with the guardian angel light on the vest

[@anindadas2824]

Love from Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@david19664]

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.

[@cityheros4538]

Hi please make a video about how to direct traffic if a traffic lights are not working. TIA

[@Archangelm127]

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.)

[@dmorga1]

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.

[@MrJRod891]

Lots of departments turn that feature off. Or don't even use that mode. They just have it bright as f*ck all the time!

[@cmritchie04]

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.

[@235marine]

Now in the fire service we are supposed to have our fire apparatus pointed away from scene of where the accident is that on a caddy Corner angle

[@rogermoore7495]

I’ve watched most of not all of your videos and they have helped me a lot. You should really be a instructor at the academy.

[@freefieldtraining]

Shockingly enough, it just doesn't pay well enough to make it worth the drive to the closest academy.

[@brandonthatnigga1522]

Hi is this also what traffic controller’s do you

[@billwilmington8284]

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

[@countryheathen1834]

the best coffee cup is the one that is full, the next best coffee cup is the one that is full with good coffee in it.

[@alliwantisfinancialstabili7414]

It's kinda disturbing how many people forget to turn their headlights on at night

[@loganp7043]

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.

[@freefieldtraining]

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 KZbin to learn about...

[@loganp7043]

free field training the only reason I know that is because I’m a project manager for a large paving company and we got a $75,000 fine for it

[@freefieldtraining]

They reduce that for you after coming into compliance?

[@loganp7043]

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.

[@freefieldtraining]

Smart move, I bet the 4th and 5th ding would be big money.

[@alexanderliess7568]

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.

[@Being-Alpha.]

Good informative video 👍🏻

[@codypearson2244]

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

[@missjack19]

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

[@freefieldtraining]

Sorry, I fixed it in the description. There is a coupon code that is active for them too, at least it is for the time being.

[@missjack19]

free field training thank you so much, your videos are great btw very informative, a lot of your advice can really save lives

[@jamesgolding8382]

Is there a link for the reflective gloves as it isnt in the video description

[@freefieldtraining]

It's in there

[@SilverPlum]

@@freefieldtraining The link is no longer correct, as of 11/2021. Please provide an alternative.

[@0fficer47]

0:30 I feel a song coming on...

[@markscarborough7580]

It’s hard to see you guys when there are a time of bright flashing lights and a lot of white scene lighting.

[@mace_inc.8455]

And here I am, the old-fashioned fellow that still uses white gloves for directing traffic... lol

[@mahmoudajjan466]

Thank you so much, and wooow GOD bless you, you know a lot of police equipments and about police everything 😂 ,but what exactly your job?

[@jaimemunoz5920]

Pro tip when directing traffic use a 6 d cell maglite flashlight so you can work out while your doing your job. LOL jk

[@williamdolan2673]

They're good for giving an "accidental tap" to the a-hole who whacks you with their side-view mirror/ignores commands/needs "special attention."

[@nathalyreyes570]

Arlyfreefieldtrainig

[@Archangelm127]

I keep hoping you'll throw that line about the dog in the intro again. ^_^

[@rroge5]

alot of seriousness

[@henryzhang9446]

Need a whistle

[@DaveGrizzly4535]

Should have put the cone on your head 😂😅

[@nlknok77]

European traffic wardens usually wear a sash. 1: no. 2: this little guy is way way too young. Wrong outfit altogether.

[@freefieldtraining]

I think we are talking about very different things.