Volunteer_Personnel Emergency_vehicle_lighting

a new jersey emt’s vehicle @ night lights flashing.

many u.s. states allow volunteer fire, ems , search , rescue personnel place emergency warning lights in personal vehicles use when responding emergencies. degree of lighting mandated law , local custom in areas, , can vary single rotating light on dashboard or roof, setup modern police cruisers. states allow volunteer use of sirens , air horns request right of way.

virginia state law allows emergency personnel equip 1 private vehicle “with no more 2 flashing or steady-burning red or red , white combination warning lights”.

in states, volunteers allowed use normal red lights, while in other states volunteers must use other color, blue or green. in latter case, lights used courtesy ‘request’ right of way , not mandate pulling over. states, such pennsylvania, limit volunteer use of red lights chiefs , captains of squads.

separate colors may used fire versus ems volunteers. in connecticut, indiana, , new york, volunteer firefighters use blue while volunteer emts use green. in new jersey, volunteer fire , ambulance personnel use blue lights in personal vehicles while responding stations. in nj red lights allowed emergency vehicles, fire chiefs, chief officers of first aid or rescue squads, or other law enforcement vehicles. in iowa, volunteer firefighters can use flashing blue lights on personal vehicles, while volunteer emts can use flashing white (clear) lights.

new york certifies volunteer emts use red lights , sirens provided vehicles carry equipment; used hatzolah volunteers in nyc area. typically in new york state, volunteer firefighters use blue lights in personal vehicles , volunteer ems use green lights. may generate confusion, green lights used signify incident command vehicle. in state of texas, “a private vehicle of volunteer firefighter or certified emergency medical services employee or volunteer when responding fire alarm or medical emergency” considered “authorized emergency vehicle” , may use alternately flashing lighting equipment or may equipped siren, exhaust whistle, or bell.

the conflicting color assignments can create issues volunteers drive vehicles out of state. 1 color in state may mean firefighter or emt when in state may mean police. while authorities may satisfied covering lights ‘out of service’ tarpaulin, compliance may more difficult in other jurisdictions. example, arkansas bars civilian possession of blue lights on or in vehicle unless sealed in manufacturer’s original package.