volunteer firefighters

[miketa95]

Just curious as to what the law is about their sirens. Are you suppost to pull over when their behind you? Are they allowed to break the speed limit? Can they go through red lights? I'm not complaining, just curious since I work near a fire department and I see them heading to the fire department all of the time. They all do different things, and the people at work all disagreed about what they can/can't do. Personally, I don't care what they do as long as their there in time to put out the fire.

[Tru2Chevy]

From what I remember back when I hung out with a bunch of 'em, the blue lights they are allowed to run don't give them any legal authority. One would hope that other drivers would see them, and allow them to go ahead anyway, but legally they do not have to.

- Justin

[Crayface]

being a volunteer firemen allows you to get ahold of a blue light permit. Means the lights can only be blue or white. Only time you see a red light its a cop, fire chief or fire deputies. A Volunteer Firemen cannot have a siren what so ever. That would fall under impersonating a police officer if one did. And they are technically not allowed to break the speed limit or go through red lights even tho everyone does

[ShitOnWheels]

According to James, who was a volunteer firefighter for 14 years before his knees got the best of him, you do legally have to pull over if they are behind you. He says it was a law passed in the 90s. However, they are not supposed to speed or run red lights. And they should not have a siren. Only blue lights. And there are limits to number of lights and location on the vehicle. And if they have them in other states they can get in a lot of trouble (James had an incident in Vermont because cops up there only have blue lights, so they were trying to say he was impersonating a cop).

[NJ Torque]

Its a courtesy to pull over for a blue light. Vols must fallow all the rules of the road.

[Kojak]

Supposed to follow all traffic laws:
No running stop signs
No running red lights
No speeding
No tailgating
No excessive lights
No siren
No crossing double yellow lines
In NJ only blue or white lights unless Chief or any other fire official with a red light.

The other driver should not be a douche and pull over.

The way I see it is you are representing the FD when responding to an alarm so don't drive like an *******. If its a big incident then it'll be there when you get there.

[ShitOnWheels]

It is not only courtesy, it is the law.

http://www.oldbridgefirstaid.com/BlueLight.html

I'd look up the actual law based on the statute provided, but I'm lazy.

Ok, I found it.

"NJSA 39:3-54.12
39:3-54.12 Rights of motor vehicle with emergency lights in operation.

6. Nothing contained herein is intended to grant to any member of a volunteer fire company, a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or a volunteer Office of Emergency Management any privileges or exemptions denied to the drivers of other vehicles, and such members operating emergency warning lights shall drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and shall obey all the traffic laws of this State including R.S.39:4-81, provided, however, that the drivers of non-emergency vehicles upon any highway shall yield the right of way to the vehicle of any member of a volunteer fire company, a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or a volunteer Office of Emergency Management operating emergency warning lights in the same manner as is provided for authorized emergency vehicles pursuant to R.S.39:4-92."

[miketa95]

I said sirens but i meant to say blue lights.

[maroman88]

yup, wat they all said... people rarely notice my lights so i lay on the horn... thats my siren lol