Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by FF Schoen on January 11, 2009 at 1:52pm

Jacob,
Please dont take this in a bad direction.

How do you know the driving laws for West Virginia if you are not affiliated with a fire department at this time. I am not hacking on the fact that you say your a junior in your profile.. but if you have information to put out here please make sure it is correct.

I know others from West Virginia that definitely are not allowed to burn through red lights and stop signs. That is just stupid and asking for an accident to occur. Read magazines and watch the news.... you would like a one way ticket to jail instead I take it.

Be safe and don't become another statistic.

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 12, 2009 at 11:10am

Keep in mind, that, if you are going to be allowed to drive your personal vehicle to the scene, the cops may ask you to move it/get it out of there, because it is NOT an emergency vehicle. Cops around here get very nervous when there are alot of POVs at the scene, so we try to minimize them.
If you can't catch a ride on a rig from the station, I would call to the scene and ask if you need to respond.
Anyone with a good relationship with the cops don't want to mess it up simply because you want to run your lights, sirens and wigwags on your POVs.
Also, if your POV at the scene causes a secondary incident, you may be liable for whatever happens next. That blue light doesn't exempt you from ANYTHING.
I'd be careful.
TCSS.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Robert on January 12, 2009 at 11:18am

On our dept. We can and do run Light's and Siren's. (you must have a siren if running a light) Our guidelines are no more than 10mph over the limit, stop at all intersection's, and only drive according to condition's. Also we can and do run Pov's direct to scenes on occasion. But we also have strict guidelines on doing so. All vehicles must be parked on the same side of the road as the incident, must run some sort of warning light's at all time's(fourways do count). And all pov's must be parked out of the direct path of any and all emergency vehicles. I know it seems kind of simple and common sense but some people's children just don't get the picture. and also we are not aloud to run blue lights what so ever. Red, white and amber are the limit.

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Permalink Reply by Chief 29 on January 12, 2009 at 11:28am

Along with all the other replies it is also against the law for a junior to respond to the scene in a povin the state of PA. They must report to the engine house first and if all apporatus is out already they are to wait at station. They may ride to the scene in a senior members pov.
My company frowns on pov's at the scene. It was a problem years ago but has since changed by requiring the men to come to the engine house to get on the truck. The only time we don't have an issue with responding pov is when the scene is on the way to station or you didn't catch a truck and we are in need of manpower.

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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on February 18, 2009 at 7:56pm

Here you go.
Add this one to the "whackers in POVs responding "hot" to the fire station".
From the secretlist: An elderly woman was killed last night when her car was hit by a Volunteer Firefighter responding to a water emergency in Akwesasne. The woman had pulled out of her driveway and was making a left turn into her daughter's driveway when her car was hit on the driver's side according to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Chief. The St Regis Mohawk Nation is located in New York State but is an independent tribe. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending against the Volunteer Firefighter. The FF was responding to a report of a vehicle gone through the ice into the St. Lawrence River shortly before 1900 hours last night. A search Tuesday evening turned up nothing. Searchers were to resume their efforts this morning.

Yeah; I know the drill...innocent until proven guilty.
Art

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Permalink Reply by Alex on February 18, 2009 at 7:59pm

we're allowed to take POVs to calls and run red lights.But in our county only chief's can have sirens on POVs.And we are absolutely not allowed to run redlights/stopsigns or be caught speeding unless it is a working structure fire.Also Juniors are allowed to run lights to call in POV AS LONG as a parent or FD officer is riding along

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Permalink Reply by Sam on February 19, 2009 at 5:29pm

Indiana runs blue lights no sirens and you have to have written permission plus you are suppose to have at least one light that is visible in all directions (360 deg). You have to abied by all local,state and federal laws in other words no speeding no running stop lights or signs etc. If you talk to local law enforcement they will normally let you know what they will expect because the run will dictate alot for instint lifting assist for someone that fell out of bed and thats all you know no lights if its a structure fire with trapped occupant local law enforcement will cut some slack for speeding as long as your not being stupid (ie:25mph zone where kids are playing baseball and your running 40mph) or even if its 30mph zone and your running 45 thats just to fast. In other words words common sense be smart be safe for yourself and others.Going to the scene is only aloud by officers or if you have to drive past it to get to the station other wise report to station then respond. This use to be an issue but everybody understands when it gets explained why it has to be this way. We were toned for mutual aid once about 30 min after the initial response department had been toned and we could here alot of chater on the radio and sounded like they were getting a good response for the structure fire then we got the tone and we sent every thing we could to help and when we got there they had all gone POV not even so much as an engine they had to send people to the station to get trucks and equipment imagiane how they felt and looked and how hard we laughed at there expense.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on February 19, 2009 at 5:46pm

In NY Volunteer firefighters can;with the permission of their chief run BLUE lights....we do sometimes take POV's to calls as our rural area is so large and the members may live close to the scene....You are to follow all traffic laws and regulations....Heck, even the appartus has limitations....ie. you maytravel in excess of the posted speed limit, pass traffic control devices and even go the wrong way on one way streets B U T (and a big butt it is) it states as long as you donotendanger the public....So in other words if you are going 65 MPH to a fire and you go through a red light and hit granny Smith...guess who's butt get fried...?? Lets slow down...you aren't going to do anyone any good if you don't make it to the call.....Stay safe and always remember to Keep the Faith...Paul

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Permalink Reply by Cameron Monroe, Captain, Argyle on February 19, 2009 at 5:58pm

In our Department Firefighters, Captains, and Lts use Blue lights.( if Chief gives permission with a Signed BLUE LIGHT CARD Chief and Asst Chiefs can run Red lights and Sirens.
If a member (not on probation or Jr member ) Keeps gear with them and they are close to the call they can go to the scene.
Blue lights heav no special rights ! Need to follow ALL trafic laws just as normal driving ( Speed, Stop sighns Etc..)
Red lights and siren need to follow V& T laws for EMERGENCY VHICIALS.

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Permalink Reply by PATRICK on February 14, 2011 at 4:28am

Ohio.......We are allowed to choose either to have no sire and lights or sirens AND lights. lights must been seen 360 degrees. After our vehicle gets inspected, we get a sticker that considers us a "public safety vehicle". With that being said i looked up some stuff and some sites said public safety vehicles are REQUIRED to have lights AND siren. The department Im on says we have to wait 1 full year before we can use lights or a siren. They also said we must follow ALL traffic laws but the Ohio Revised Code (http://law.justia.com/ohio/codes/2006/orc/jd_451124-eb6f.html) states that "public safety vehicles" are allowed to go over the speed limit in a responsible manner.

Im confused here. Can someone please help me with this. I would greatly appreciate it!

Again, Im in Ohio.

Thanks in advance!

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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on February 14, 2011 at 6:24am

We do not run any traffic control device even in a fire apparatus when running "code 3." We are required to stop no matter what and give everyone ample opportunity to yield. EMS first responders' POV's are allowed on some scenes, but must abide by the same rules. If a POV is not equipped with warning devices the driver should not drive any differently that he or she would going to the grocery store.

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