I was just wondering what the laws of your state say for POV's to have emergency lights and sirens. I live in Maine where we have very strict laws in reference to POV's and emergnecy lights, you can have two red or white lights in the grill OR 1 in the window if it is not obstructing your view. You have no special laws for responding and people do NOT have to pull over for you if they dont want. Also your not aloud sirens. I've been giving thought to moving to another state and I am hoping to see about your local rules and regulations.
In NY volunteers are allowed 1 blue fixture upon receiving proper permission (in the form of a state issued license) from the chief. If the fixture happens to have 8 rotators, that's okay. Essentially, if you're running blue grille lights, that's illegal- even thought both of the lights are part of one system. You can not run any other color of light if you are running your blue light. No sirens. Traffic does not have to yield for you and you MUST obey all traffic laws and speed limits. Chiefs (volunteer) can have red or red/white lights (no limit on the number of lights) and they are also authorized to use sirens. Lights can be used without the siren and the siren generally isn't run without lights. Traffic must yield to red lights/sirens or face a ticket/fine. Red lights are given the authority to travel at a speed higher than the speed limit, but must practice response safety when doing so. My fire dept. has a policy which states no more than 15 miles over the legal posted speed limit in a "true emergency" situation. Also, it is up to the fire dept. as to whether or not they will allow the use of blue lights.
Also, Blue Lighters are not allowed to have wig wagging lights or strobing lights of any kind. Chiefs may.
You can display your blue light anywhere on your vehicle except for in your headlights. I believe Chiefs may put a strobing red light in their headlights, but I'm not 100% positive.
The law has changed. You cannot have 32 candle-watt power with a rotator. You ARE allowed to use LED's but not strobes. There is no limit on the candle-watt power of the LED.
The laws changed when the state allowed the cops to use blue lights in the rear of their lightbar.
In South Carolina, the law requires 360 degrees and at least a 100 watt siren while vehicle is in motion or while responding to call, complete stop at all stop signs and red lights, and use due reguard for traffic condition,,.
I live in Pocahontas Mississippi, here in MS we are allowed as many of any color light red/white/amber as you want but no siren. You are allowed an air horn but that is it! The fire apparatus all have red lights with siren. If you are caught with a siren you can be given a ticket for impersenating a police officer and the officer has the right to take the siren away from you right there on the side of the road!
First of all if your planning on moving to another state based on what kind of emergency lighting you can run that's not a dood decision. In PA volunteer fire/ems are aloud to run Blue lights they must be 360, and only the Chief & Asst. chief can run red lights and sirens.
I think that volunteers should spend as much time inspecting there TOG as they do the proper operating order of your POV courtesy lights.....
in Md. you are not allowed to run with strobes but can use 4-way flashers (hazards) when responding. My Fire Company, though, has specified in its by-laws that cadets and probationary members may not use their 4-ways, and must obey all traffic laws.