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Post by medic70 on Dec 28, 2004 22:48:00 GMT -5
I realize this issue has almost died however, this past weekend I heard a member from either Wysox or Wyalusing state over the radio that they are trying to get through the traffic on Rt. 6 however people are not pulling over for his blue light. These do not state you are an emergency vehicle, they are simply CURDOSITY lights and give the operator of that vehicle any special rights / responsibilities. This is the type of garbage that will get and does get the entire industry looked at harder by the police and lawmakers. Keep that in mind next time you respond to an incident with your BLUE light on.
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Post by canton1 on Dec 29, 2004 0:03:59 GMT -5
AGREED, If one of mine did that, bye bye blue light card
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Post by medic70 on Dec 29, 2004 0:54:04 GMT -5
It nice to see some chiefs reconize this is a major issue and are willing to tackle it head on if needed.
Thanks Chief
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Post by valleytech36 on Dec 29, 2004 5:12:54 GMT -5
Yes, blue lights DO NOT give volunteers any special privileges. They are courtesy lights only. The blue light is to alert other drivers that we are on our way to an emergency it's up to other driver to pull over and let us go by!
Under state law, vehicles operating with blue lights only are NOT considered emergency vehicles. The driver must be authorized to use a blue light and must also obey all traffic laws, it does signify that the driver is responding to an emergency. Authorization is obtained from the Pennsylvania State Police via the chief officer of the department/agency with whom the person volunteers. The blue light is considered a "courtesy light" only. Vehicles that may be authorized to use a blue light include personal vehicles of ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters (and fire police), certified volunteer search and rescue scuba divers, and owners and handlers of dogs used in tracking humans. While motorists are not required to yield the right of way to these vehicles, they are encouraged to do so where possible. Remember that we could be responding to your home or to assist your loved ones!
Why a fire police officer allowed to run red lights? They who assist with traffic and crowd control at emergency scenes! My opinion that they should run blue lights, because a firefighter or medical personnel has to get to a scene too save someone life or property.
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Ron
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by Ron on Dec 30, 2004 1:43:00 GMT -5
Well I think we all should run red then their would be no complaining about who can an who can't .I don't agree with the blue light laws we are the ones that have to fight traffic to get to the station to respond the trucks to the scene to save life an property.Curdosity lights are yellow
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Post by canton1 on Dec 30, 2004 4:00:50 GMT -5
All running Red lights?? Have you completely lost it. It is hard enough to keep some undercontrol without giving them the right to drive half crazy. Can you imagine 30 sirens blasting to the station? Sometimes you just have to take your time and it is better. I know even I get mad sometimes. Trust me, they do not always pull over very easy with RED lights and sirens and if they do it is on a corner or a hill. When I used to run blue, half the time I used to get to the station faster without the light flashing.
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Post by flash97 on Dec 30, 2004 17:22:54 GMT -5
I'm not sure if I understand all the laws, but, who or what defines who can run red kights and who can run blue lights? I see some companies who have 7 or 8 officers that run red lights, is this legal? We only have 3 fire officers and 2 fire police that run red lights, the rest run blue, should it be that way? I would wish that someone would come up with a defining answer , and that a copy to be sent to every department in the county or state depending on how far out the laws cover. ;D
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Post by FIREFIGHTER16 on Dec 30, 2004 18:54:33 GMT -5
YEAH I THINK ALL RUNNUNG REDLIGHTS IS A GOOD IDEA IN THEORY, BUT AS THE CHIEF SAYS, ARE YOU NUTS PEOPLE WOULD DEFINATLY GET HURT ;D
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Post by canton1 on Dec 31, 2004 2:47:40 GMT -5
The laws made by the legislators??
I am sure every department has a copy
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Post by GVEMS11 on Dec 31, 2004 10:00:20 GMT -5
PA Code Title 67, Chapter 173 states that red lights may be displayed by emergency vehicles and PUC enforcement vehicles. Word for word, it is: (2) Red lights. A vehicle may display red lights as follows:
(i) Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 4571 (relating to visual and audible signals on emergency vehicles), an emergency vehicle, as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions), shall be equipped with one or more flashing or revolving red lights.
(ii) Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 4571, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission vehicles used for the enforcement of 66 Pa.C.S. Chapters 23 and 25 (relating to common carriers; and contract carrier by motor vehicle and broker) may be equipped with flashing or revolving red lights.
Title 75 Chapter 102 defines emergency vehicles as:
"Emergency vehicle." A fire department vehicle, police vehicle, sheriff vehicle, ambulance, blood-delivery vehicle, human organ delivery vehicle, hazardous material response vehicle, armed forces emergency vehicle, one vehicle operated by a coroner or chief county medical examiner and one vehicle operated by a chief deputy coroner or deputy chief county medical examiner used for answering emergency calls, or any other vehicle designated by the State Police under section 6106 (relating to designation of emergency vehicles by Pennsylvania State Police), or a privately owned vehicle used in answering an emergency call when used by any of the following: A police chief and assistant chief. A fire chief, assistant chief and, when a fire company has three or more fire vehicles, a second or third assistant chief. A fire police captain and fire police lieutenant. An ambulance corps commander and assistant commander. A river rescue commander and assistant commander. A county emergency management coordinator. A fire marshal. A rescue service chief and assistant chief.
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