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 Timothy D. Stone Jr on August 23, 2009 at 10:29pm

We do not allow members to respond with lights ect on there pov...Now Some of us do have lights on our pov we use then only on the side of the rd and to help the medics find the house at night. We are concidering allowing memebers to respond with lights after having a CEVO class. Red, White, Amber, Green, ECT no blue...Blue in ga is just for cops....BIG TICKET

Permalink Reply by Timothy D. Stone Jr on August 23, 2009 at 10:34pm

you mean 15 year old that just saw his first pair of....well you get it

Permalink Reply by Reigec on October 5, 2009 at 10:21pm

Personally, im not that big into lighting your car up like a Christmas tree, but i wouldnt mind a small bar, being as how i live 10-15 mins from the station and people drive like assholes in Jersey.

Permalink Reply by Joey "BigShow" De Piano on October 5, 2009 at 10:46pm

You need to go on line to your states local laws page there you will find a listing of all traffic laws most times you can do a search for emergency lighting and sub titles as to the blue light or "warning"light section, in most cases Blue lights are permitted however if your states police depts use blue and white (like Va. ) you can not unless you are a chief officer, it is the opposite of us in NJ allow to use blue but not red as our police use red as do Chiefs, in that case red is allowed most times, the problem with Depts. allowing it or not sadly falls on some who try to pull over civilians using the lights and cause legal problems for depts. thats why the crack down, also in most cases if allowed to use the light you can only use it upto 2 towns away from response destination or under 6 miles. again this by NJ standards

Permalink Reply by Reigec on October 7, 2009 at 3:27pm

haha, very true, missed the first truck for both calls yesterday, i rode out in the cheifs truck, damn people wouldnt pull the hell over

Permalink Reply by Tyler Reinemann on October 16, 2009 at 2:08pm

In upstate NY, all you need is a liscence (duh) and a Blue Light card...ask your chief about them.

Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on October 16, 2009 at 2:37pm

Adam,

Your larger FD probably has enough FFs to respond so blue/red POV lights are not worth the risk. The smaller one might need any or all to respond as quickly and safely as possible. Why do you ask about lights for Juniors? Are you one in disguise? TCSS

PS My small VFD allows what the State of TX allows, any color w/ siren but use it with caution.

Permalink Reply by Adam Verducci on October 20, 2009 at 4:03pm

I do run lights but only to the dept that issued me the Blue LIght Permit. I live about 5 miles from the station and i have to go down a major road and through our little borough. I make the truck most of the time unless we run with a light crew. I take back country roads to my other dept and hardly see any cars anyway so i dont even need to use my lights.

Permalink Reply by Chief Dino on October 22, 2009 at 1:22pm

TX allows Volunteers to run red lights when following TX vehicle code. The following codes apply:

502.202 GOVERNMENT OWNED VEHICLES…
541.201 AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES (A.E.V.)

545.156 VEHICLE APPROACHED BY A.E.V.
545.157 PASSING A.E.V.
545.365 SPEED LIMIT EXCEPTIONS
545.407 FOLLWING/OBSTRUCTING FIRE APPARATUS…
545.408 CROSSING FIRE HOSE

546.001 PERMISSIBLE CONDUCT
546.002 WHEN CONDUCT PERMISSIBLE
546.003 AUDIBLE OR VISUAL SIGNALS REQUIRED
546.004 EXCEPTIONS TO SIGNAL REQUIREMENT
546.005 DUTY OF CARE

As far as juniors go, we don't allow them on the fireground, so why do they need to rush to get there.

TCSS

Shawn

Permalink Reply by Alan Shaw on October 22, 2009 at 1:56pm

Having run an Explorer Post, and having been involved with training of our Junior Members I can not think of any time when allowing Juniors to have these lights would be a benefit to the department. Take this and add it to the general maturity factor and there is even less reasons to do so.

In CT our Department of Labor put out a set of rules for all "Minor Firefighters" (Under 18) and specifically forbid the operation of a personal vehicle with lights or any emergency vehicle. So in this regard, it is not really our department's choice to make.

Permalink Reply by Paul Dudan on October 22, 2009 at 2:35pm

NJ law says you can use it two towns away? I haven't read that but in our dept. the rule is use ONLY in town if responding to a call.The only exception is if we are toned for mutual aid and you happen to be in that town, you can then flip on your lights to respond.

Permalink Reply by John Rulli Jr. on October 22, 2009 at 3:02pm