Blue Lights

I was curious as to what other depts. allow regarding blue (or red is some states) lights. I am at 2 depts. and the smaller one lets me use blue lights and the larger one doesn't. What is you departments policy? Do you think it is a good idea for jrs to run lights?

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Permalink Reply by John on June 21, 2009 at 2:20pm

Just trowing it out there, what is your thoughts on white/yellow lights for Jrs or (adult) FF's that are on departments that don't allow them to run blue,red,green, or any other color?

stay safe and be smart,
Austin

Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on June 21, 2009 at 2:33pm

Jeff...well said.....BUT...What does your insurance people say about Jrs. ? In this very litigious society we are in if a Jr gets hurt or God forbid killed...someone will lose a Fire Department and the town, village, city will pay dearly. Stay safe....Keep the Faith......Paul

Permalink Reply by Kathy Appleby on June 21, 2009 at 2:39pm

no it is NOT a good idea to run lighhts for anyone. blue lights are considered courtesy lights here in ny and you still need to obey all traffic laws. running lights and breaking other traffic rules can cause an accident and injure yourself as well as the innocent bystanders and what good will that do for the pt or the property that u are saving from a fire that u r responding to?

Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on June 21, 2009 at 3:48pm

In New York blue lights are really just courtesy lights and do not allow one to disregard certain V&T laws like speed limits, coasting through a stop device, and so on. ALL traffic laws have to be obeyed, consequently no time is saved responding with a blue light vs. without.

You may get the occasional person to pull over, but they are not obligated to do so.

In my department Juniors are 14 to 17 years of age. They are legally allowed to drive at age 16. Does anyone wonder why insurance premiums are so high for young drivers under 21?

Permalink Reply by Chris Papenfuss on June 21, 2009 at 5:24pm

we use blue lights in west fargo ND, only in city limits though. we dont have jrs on our dept. so i cant answer that question. we use them as notification for other drivers that their is an emergency--but the light doesnt mean we turn into idiot mode either though, we are not emergency vehicles. we also respond to the fire hall, in which i know some depts. go right to the scene in their personal vehicles--that may be a diff. situation though!

Permalink Reply by Fireyladd - Retired Chief Sharp on June 21, 2009 at 7:09pm

I dont think its a safe idea to run any lights on POV's. Our State law only allows lights on designated emergency response vehicles. I am all for supporting that law. Along with just responding in personal vehicles. And whats a Junior doing even considering lights or responding in a personal vehicle? Next you'll be asking what radio to put in your vehicle.

Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on June 22, 2009 at 4:14pm

What the hell do you want with a yellow light? Does anyone ever pull over for a tow truck?

Permalink Reply by Trevor Wendt on June 23, 2009 at 10:47am

me, being a junior, id LOVE to run a blue light. but, in my opinion, its a bad idea.

Permalink Reply by Audy on June 23, 2009 at 1:33pm

in my dept no one is allow to run lights at all.....blue are red in povs......jrs need to watch and learn first and get some experience ......as always stay safe

Permalink Reply by Paul Llobell on June 23, 2009 at 2:53pm

I'm at 2 departments as well, Great River (small - on Long Island) and Shaker Road - Loudonville (big, Albany County, NY). They both allow me to run blue lights, however I ran into a problem with my WigWags up in Albany. When I was at Shaker Road, I found myself, more often then not turning my blues off going to calls. People up there love to flip in FFs going to calls, even if they're obeying the V&T laws.

As for Jrs, absolutely not. A blue light is, at least in New York, a "courtesy light" meaning that other drivers are under no obligation to yield. That aside, the purpose of a blue light is to allow us to get to the house "quicker" - that is, with a clear road. No disrespect, but it's not of the utmost importance that a Junior arrives quickly. They're great to have around, but until the Jr. is removed from their title they should focus more on training and observing than speeding to calls.

For the record - I think Jr. programs are great. It's a great way to keep the department young and staffed. If my home department had a Jr. program I'd have a few years more of experience.

Stay low.

Permalink Reply by Gary Theurer on June 25, 2009 at 5:59pm

I think that your response timwe will almost be the same, just drive normally and all will be fine... what state ?
Indiana Blue is for FF, (no sirens here) ond green for EMT's (again no siren)
may scare the farm cows I guess

Gary

Permalink Reply by Bulldog324 on June 25, 2009 at 6:02pm