Volunteers with Lights and Sirens

What do you think, should volunteer firefighters be allowed to have and use lights and sirens in their POV ? Should only the Chief an ASST. Chief be allowed to have them ?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Lowry on August 22, 2008 at 4:20pm

now lights and siren on POV.. I have no problem with as long as you are following state laws. No exsessive speeding (we are allowed 10 over) and obey all traffic signal. You got to remember you are only ASKING for the right of way.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doyle on August 22, 2008 at 4:21pm

Lights sirens and everything else that involves being an emergency responder. We run blue lights, wig wags and sirens. No lights No siren can't have one without the other in Mo to be qualified as an emrgency vehichle. You drive with due regard of life and property, carry full coverage insurance on your vehichle, you must stop at all stop signs,, and other lights in intersections. NO more than 10 miles on speed, use common sense 45 in a 25 isn't common sense. You break the rules you lose your privelge of running anything for a month, and the penalties get stiffer with more infractions. Believe me you lose your stuff for a month, you get the big picture. Most guys are proffesional but you do get your occasional bone head ricky rescuer, tone him down and shape him up in house before the public does. stay safe

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by T J KELLEY on August 22, 2008 at 4:24pm

I think Volunteer firefighters should be allowed to have and use lights and sirens in their Pov.

TJ KELLEY 1347 Cadiz volunteer firedepartment

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tim England on August 22, 2008 at 4:34pm

I HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT LIGHTS AND SIRENS IN ALL FIREFIGHTERS VEHICLES. IN KY,
THERE ARE KRS STATUTES THAT GOVERN THIS TOPIC. THE CHIEF AUTHORIZES PERMITS FOR
LIGHTS AND SIRENS FOR HIS DEPARTMENT. OVER THE YEARS, OUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN
BACK AND FORTH ON THIS SUBJECT. WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH TRAFFIC SAFETY WHEN SOME WERE RUNNING "CODE" AND PERMITS WERE REVOKED TO ALL MEMBERS. THEN WE WENT TO ONLY OUR OFFICERS WERE AUTHORIZED AND NOW IT IS UP TO OUR CHIEF'S DISCRETION. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD LIGHTS AND SIREN ON MY POV BUT DROVE WITH DUE REGARD IN TRAFFIC. YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR HEAD WHEN RESPONDING. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO REACT IN TRAFFIC TO YOUR APPARATUS MUCH LESS YOUR POV. I HAVE HAD A MARKED DEPARTMENT VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW AND I DON'T HAVE AS MANY PROBLEMS AS IN THE POV BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN RESPONDING. I THINK AS LONG AS THE DEPARTMENT HAS GUIDELINES SUCH AS SOP,SOG,OR
CHIEF'S ORDERS GOVERNING IT AND THEY ARE ENFORCED-LIGHTS AND SIRENS CAN BE BENEFICIAL TO THE RESPONSE TIMES. BE SAFE.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robbie Snow on August 22, 2008 at 6:31pm

Thats true, there is a lot of people who would abuse the priviledge. In Arkansas if we run lights we must run siren also. But the local police make sure we dont abuse our priviledges. They only allow us to go 10 mph over the speed limit and must obey all other traffic laws. And yeah,they have pulled many volunteer firemen over for doing over our allowed limit.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robbie Snow on August 22, 2008 at 6:36pm

In my state we are allowed to have lights and sirens in our POV. But if we have a lights on we must have a siren on to. We are also only allowed to use red or red/clear lights. Blue is just strictly for police.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robbie Snow on August 22, 2008 at 6:38pm

Our local police make sure volunteers in my county do drive absolutely crazy. They only allow us to do 10 mph over the limit when safe to do so,but must stop for all red lights and stop signs.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robbie Snow on August 22, 2008 at 6:41pm

In Arkansas any volunteer can have lights and siren. But if we have a light on,we must have a siren on also. Only the Chief and ASST. Chief can run lights and siren outside our district. And only police can use blue lights. Fire and others can only use red or red/clear.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by PFC Harmon on August 22, 2008 at 6:42pm

I think after you are trained with atleast a 12 hour evoc course you should have lights with 360 degree visibility and must use a siren if running lights due to number of members and areas that have vol. depts. Although there are several people that dont agree with this you have look at both sides. But I think with proper training insurance and responsibilty it is a good thing.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Robbie Snow on August 22, 2008 at 6:44pm

There is plenty of traffic where I live. Reason asking is our local sheriff wants to do away with volunteers having lights and siren in our POV.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Oldman on August 22, 2008 at 7:15pm

Do I have lights and siren? Yes. Do I use them? Sometimes. Do I think everyone should have them? I don't think so scooter!

My department has very strict guidelines over who may operate POV lights and sirens. The applicant must have a minimum of five years with the department. The application to operate them is received by the captain (me). I have to approve the equipment set-up before it goes up the chain of command, to the Asst. Chief, and finally the Chief. Any one of us can deny the application for cause, and the process starts over again. If granted, the POV must operate under the same department policy as fire apparatus of no more than 10 miles over the posted limit, stopping at red signals and stop sign etc. Get a ticket... lose the lights, period! Matters not if you were off duty. As a result not many on my department have them, and they still make the truck.