| In November 2006, the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 | | | | checkered color-coded retro-reflective |
| voluntary standard was announced for | | | | striping. The design may include an |
| high-visibility safety vests used by fire | | | | identification panel and /or trim on the vest |
| departments, emergency responders, Department | | | | with the following colors: red for fire |
| of Transportation officials and law | | | | officials, green for emergency responders, |
| enforcement. The National Traffic Incident | | | | orange for DOT personnel, and blue for law |
| Management Coalition, representing the public | | | | enforcement. |
| safety industry, was involved in the | | | | |
| development of the standard. | | | | This new standard was pushed through at a |
| | | | rapid speed. One reason it was able to be |
| One reason for the new standard was the | | | | fast-tracked was because of the |
| recognition of the need for public safety | | | | well-developed and widely accepted ANSI/ISEA |
| employees to be easily identifiable and | | | | 107-2004 American National Standard for |
| visible in emergency situations and | | | | High-Visibility Safety Apparel, which has |
| multi-agency incidents. Another was that | | | | many of the same guidelines concerning the |
| these occupations need special garments that | | | | quality and performance of the materials used |
| can facilitate gear. For example, the design | | | | to make highly visible garments. For example, |
| of a compliant vest would allow access to | | | | both standards specify how to measure the |
| medical equipment or to gear carried on | | | | luminance of fluorescent color fabrics before |
| belts, such as radios and guns. Safety Vests | | | | and after being exposed to perspiration and |
| made in accordance with the new 207-2006 | | | | laundering. |
| standard have higher visibility, with | | | | |