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Council adopts policy to allow 'Guardian Angel' personal safety lights as PPE for city staff
Summary
Council approved adding Guardian Angel personal safety lights to the city's PPE policy after staff demonstrated the units; the city received 10 units via a casualty-insurance grant and staff recommended department heads be allowed to purchase additional units for employees who work near traffic.
The Perry City Council approved a resolution to adopt the Guardian Angel personal safety light policy and add the units to the city’s personal protective equipment (PPE) guidance.
Staff demonstrated the compact, high-intensity lights that attach to a shoulder or vest and said the city received 10 units through a $1,000 casualty-insurance grant. Distribution plans noted three units to police, three to public works and four to fire; staff discussed storing additional units in shop offices or vehicles so personnel responding to calls can grab a unit.
City staff and the police chief emphasized that the lights are not a replacement for reflective vests but an additional visibility tool for employees working near traffic or in low-visibility conditions. The units cost about $100 each at a government rate and charge via USB; staff said they appear durable and that several officers had already purchased their own units.
The resolution authorizes department heads to purchase units as needed from departmental budgets; staff may purchase additional units and provide charging stations as required.
Why it matters: the devices are an inexpensive, immediate step to improve worker visibility and safety for public-works crews, police and firefighters who operate near traffic.
Next steps: departments will equip personnel as budgets allow and staff will consider placement of additional units for call-outs.
