Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jason McDonald on January 29, 2009 at 5:08am

I am in the Philippines and the use of lights and sirens for volunteers is a tough law to enforce. Many volunteers use lights and sirens on their POV's (mainly motorcycles) and they drive around with the lights on even when they are just in transit to and from the store or wherever. Even the Philippine National Police and many government offices and Bureau of Fire Protection Firetrucks travel with the lights on and no sirens when traveling around. Essentially, its a madhouse here with no regard to the use of lights and sirens and pretty much 99.9% of people here have lights and sirens on their POV's and they use them whenever they want. They use the lights and sirens to drive the trucks around the city either for getting water or going to the store. When in a response no one moves out of the way because no one cares or knows if it is even an emergency because its such a common thing.

I recommend that if the law passes to put lights and sirens on a POV then you need to ensure the owner of the POV goes through the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course (EVOC) and also hold them with very strict laws. If they abuse the privilege then take that privilege away. I am for the use of lights on a POV but as long as they are used only when needed and as a last resort.

Permalink Reply by roger hansbrough on February 20, 2009 at 9:48am

in the state of kentucky our lights are red we run on pov but must have siren too and they have to meet certain requirements by the state

Permalink Reply by Nolen Cothren on February 25, 2009 at 5:04pm

Art our Louisiana State Law says we can run red or red and clear lights but in order to do that you must have a paper from the fire chief authorizing you as an emergency vehicle so it puts a lot of liability on the deaprtment. Another thing we have to worry with, as I'm sure others do, is what if your insurance carrier finds out. Most around here will cancel your policy. The lights must also meet certain requirements such as being mounted on top of your vehicle. We don't allow our volunteers to run the lights but once on scene they can place the light on top of the csr so they can be seen by approaching traffic. Our department units all have the required lighting and sirens but volunteers also are not allowed to run sirens. Justin is right about the green light, which I think is universal with I/C.

Permalink Reply by Michael Vito on February 26, 2009 at 6:34am

Hey, Jason. Yup as a Filipino. That's sad and true. To be honest I've never heard that before nor aware of the laws on regards on using just lights. Until I've met you Jason. It made me think and researched on that clause. Skimming on the Philippine laws. I was shocked - IT's NON EXISTENT ! Only the laws mentioned talks about the WHO is authorize to use it but it does not says HOW. One day we will bring this up to the proper authorities my friend. Maybe we can have a chat with our City fire marshall and see what we can do about this.

Permalink Reply by Bobby on March 3, 2009 at 5:52pm

ART, not sure if it will help but you may check out " ffam.com " that's the site for Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, a couple of months ago they had a article on this subject that may help you. the basis is that all responders are to run light and siren together, and that it is a curtesy light and not a permit to break the law. In our dept. we are requird to have more than 50% blue but prefered to run all blue but we dont have much of a problem with it, but i remember the lecture that if we misuse the lights or didn't run light and siren together then we would lose the right to use them or even be removed from the dept.

Permalink Reply by Marty D. Ross on March 8, 2009 at 12:42pm

I am the Asst. Chief with a volunteer deptartment in Missouri. We use blue lightes... My e-mail is cfpdch2@yahoo.com

Permalink Reply by Josh Sullivan on March 9, 2009 at 12:47am

I am an Battalion chief for the HCVFD in Texas, only the chief officers in our dept besides fire trucks are allowed to run lights. but as said has to be 360 degree view, lights (red or red and white) with an working siren. As in your area we had to many people abuse the privaledge. My email is redneckfiredawg@yahoo.com if you need any help.

Permalink Reply by Art Sutherland on March 9, 2009 at 7:31am

Thanks for the replies you guys are putting here for me. I started a Web Site with information I have collected to date about lights. Take a look and any information you might have that would help please send it to me at miraraodvolire@hotmail.com

Here is the Web Site GREEN LIGHTS FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS before you say green lights I think this color would be best due to the colors already used by police etc in our Province.

Art

Permalink Reply by Michael Simpson on March 14, 2009 at 1:41pm

please feel free to email me your list and i will try to help anyway i can

Permalink Reply by justin tibbetts on March 16, 2009 at 9:44pm

im not sure on grren lights but were im from thers no use of grren yellow or blue lights on povs but you do have a gre3at idea. im my dept they say if you get caught miss using the privolidge they suspend you and they pull your right to have a light in your pov. but yea great idea hope it goes well for ya

Permalink Reply by Art Sutherland on March 16, 2009 at 10:32pm

if you find the story please let me know because i can't find it.

Permalink Reply by Marty D. Ross on March 18, 2009 at 8:50pm

Art: We have our S.O.G.s in place. They cover about anything , including light use. We use blue lights but they must be used with a siren. Right now only our vet. volunteers, and officers use them . You must be at least 21 years old, and proof of insurance. Asst. Chief Marty Ross

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