Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dan Thomas on April 20, 2008 at 6:47am

I'm not quite sure on where you're going with this question but working 24/48 schedule I have to drive to the firehouse every 3rd day...but not with lights and sirens, or code 3, there. There are a select few firemen that volunteer at my station that live out of town that are permitted to respond with lights and sirens on call-backs but only if there is reports of structure fires, entrapments or hazardous material calls

Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on April 20, 2008 at 10:39am

I think it would depend on what Department you work for and what their SOP's (standard operating procedures) are for responding to the station. Like Dan said, full time paid personnel just drive to the station for their shift. But volunteers would need to drive to the station to respond to calls. Whether or not you use lights and sirens would depend on the type of call. Stay safe!

Permalink Reply by Jacob on April 20, 2008 at 2:16pm

That's what I mean., Volunteer firemen. Can you drive when your 18 code 3?

Permalink Reply by Mike on April 20, 2008 at 3:41pm

I would prefer the age be 90. We have enough problems getting people to pay attention to big... insert you department's truck color here... trucks with sirens and air horns. Private vehicles should never respond emergent.

Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on April 20, 2008 at 7:41pm

I was told once that if I used my POV to respond to an emergency, and caused an accident that I would NOT be covered! Something to think about.

Permalink Reply by roy yoder on April 20, 2008 at 9:47pm

different states and different laws. Ga. law has a permit that your chief has to sign for you to get and then you can run red lights on your private vehicle along with an automatic and audible warning device.(siren) you can do any thing you want to do. go over speed wrong way ect. you must tell your insurance commpany and the last phrase in the law states that you can do all this as long as you do with do regard to both personnel and property, so if you run red lights and a gnat could sue then you would be sued every time you turned them on in Ga. driving to a fire without them all the laws are to be obeyed and this includes everybody, driving to a fire is an attitude just like becoming a firefighter, it comes with years and not a magic age. just because you get your firefighter 1 the fire is not going out when you show up. and neither will your car defy physics when your excitment says you can and physics say no you wont and physics win every time. SOP's and a mentor will help a lot. stay safe and don't let your fire ever go out just stay in control of it.

Permalink Reply by Barry on April 21, 2008 at 8:09pm

In NY firefighters can use a blue light (no siren) but we still have to obey all the laws - wait for green lights, stop at stop signs and no speeding. Our chiefs get red lights and sirens they still have to drive with due regard and are not allowed to speed.

Even in our fire trucks we are not allowed to speed.

As for age in our department you have to be 21 and taken FF1 and EVOC (an emergency vehicle operation class) and pump ops to drive an engine. Our chiefs have to be in the department 5 years before they can be chief (plus classes) so that makes them at least 23.

Anyhow in our town you are not going to save any time driving code 3 to the fire house, 5 qualified people have to show up before the engine moves. So save the driving code 3 for people that have the driving experience!!! (like 5 - 10 years)

Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on April 23, 2008 at 7:51am

"(siren) you can do any thing you want to do. go over speed wrong way ect."

Please tell me your kidding. I have a hard time beleiving a state will make a law making it legal to do illegal things because your in a POV with lights and sirens. Try explaining to your insurance company that you were driving 80mph the wrong way and didn't see the woman pushing the stroller across the road and you killed them. I think you should brush up on your states laws.

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Nation WebChief on April 23, 2008 at 5:48pm

You should check with your local department or the department you are a member of or plan to join. Thread moved to the Junior category and closed.