Lights on my pov

[Lebanonsproby]

Alright i am 16 years old and i am training to be a firefighter through explores as well as a career center program with chief Hayes as my instructor, this may sound stupid, but i really want to know. I am a certified first responder and i have a scanner for my county, i was wondering since i am a first responder can i run green led lights on my pov, since i tend to hear calls come out around me and i usually go help. The local fire dept. know me from riding out and have no problem with me arriving on scene to lend a hand. I understand the lights are simply a courtesy light, and that i must follow all rules of the road. I was simply just curious cause it would be nice if i could have the possability of drivers pulling over so i can get to the scene faster. Yesterday was a great example i heard a call go out for a serious PI by my house, i attempted to go help but traffic was to heavy and i didn't get there in time, a 3 yr. old little girl was thrown from the vehicle and was DRT, the local fire dept. was already on a call and didn't get there in time either. I was just thinking if maybe i got there sooner maybe i could of saved that little girls life. Go head and say what u will, trust me your not going to hurt my feelings, i already know i am not a firefighter yet and i am unexperienced and probably dont desearve to use a light on my pov, i was just asking. If i can use a light on my pov how do i do it and who do i need to talk to to get it approved, thx for reading this thread i greatly apperciate it.

[DFurtman]

You need to talk to your Chief.. (Not the explorer chief.).. At 16 you have no experience driving a car and should not be taking the risks that those who have been doing it for years have. With that said, vehicle accidents are hazardous scenes as well. You have to contend with electrical, fuel, sharp metal and traffic from gawkers. You should not be responding to a scene on your own without a truck. The truck provides an added level of protection as it can block any traffic from running you down. Best of luck.

-Damien

[pgfd65]

I'm not sure where your from but I believe some states do not let people under 18 use lights on their POV. Also if you're a fire explorer you are not going to be allowed to use green lights even if you do have a 1st responder cert. because you are meant to be going on fire calls. Second, insurance through the fire department is most likely not going to let you respond directly to EMS related calls. The only way I can see you getting by any of this is joining a volunteer ambulance squad that allows 1st responders to respond directly to a scene. I was an explorer when I was your age and a junior f/f at 17 but I was never allowed to run blue lights. Don't worry your time will come and yes it's going to be frustrating until that day comes, especially in situations like you mentioned.

[Lebanonsproby]

Thx everyone for listening to me, and i have given it a lot of thought and lights on my pov probably would not be the best idea right now, even though i have talked to my chief (not the explorer chief) and he did say that it was ok and he believed i was responsible enough, but once again i don't think i'm going to do it. All your replies where great and i do apologize for using DRT, in the department that i ride out on and do my 24hr shifts that is the abbreviation that they use, that or DOA, but to be honest they use DRT A lot more. Then again many firefighters i work with also don't see the victims as people, they just see them as a job. Me on the other hand do see them as people, and i honestly have seen alot of stuff, for as young as i am. Oh, and for the individual that said i made it up, that kind of crossed the line with me, im not an immature child that just wants a thrill ride, and i would never make up a story like that. Thx for replying and i hope and will strive for oneday i can be as successful in the fire service as you guys are.

[auxman]

The legal requirements are going to vary by state, but even if allowed by law, if I was the Chief, I wouldn't authorize it for explorers since it is not critical that they get to any scene and the risks of driving there with lights and flashers are just too great.

[FWDbuff]

in the department that i ride out on and do my 24hr shifts that is the abbreviation that they use,

Are you aware that your organization is potentially violatinh child labor laws by allowing you to ride for 24?

[pgfd65]

Are you aware that your organization is potentially violatinh child labor laws by allowing you to ride for 24?

He probably lied to them just like he's lying to all of us on these forums. I feel bad for what ever department he's in and I hope that they figure out his story because he's a danger to all of the firemen he works with as far as I'm concerned.

[BULL321]

I would not believe this kid, even if he told me he was lying! He needs to seek happiness elsewhere.

Stay Safe
Bull

[badtxmojojr]

Stupid question...what does pov stand for?

[BULL321]

Stupid question...what does pov stand for?

If you don't know, its not a stupid question.
Personal Operated Vehicle

Stay Safe
Bull

[Beaver52]

Lebanonsproby, where are you from and what department do you run with?

[badtxmojojr]

Lebanonsproby, where are you from and what department do you run with?

From what I'm reading he is part of no dept. and in fact just shows up to the scene to help. Which I'm not saying is a bad thing but you cant just go showing up to random scenes...I am only a jr at my department but I do have a department issue phone now. So I figure it would be best for you to join as a jr and only respond if you are paged or authorized to go to certain scenes and as for your pov lights like others have said it depends on local laws...like in my area my parent or guardian has to be a part of the fire dept. From my understanding and they accept all responsibility when I turn on my lights and also my insurance is no longer in affect the second I do turn them on! Not all insurance agency's are this way but most of them are! I would love to go on some more but I think I will leave the best answers for the more experienced ones here!


Chris

[HeavyRescueTech]

if your department lets your respond to calls, then knock yourself out. at 16 and not even an EMT, you don't need lights. sounds like your local department is a paid department, and you are just a groupie.

personally, if she was a DOA, then nothing you could have done would have helped.

i would stay off responding to scenes, until you complete EMT school and your fire training. and when the department issues you radio equipment, not just a scanner where you are buffing jobs.

[jam24u]

We pretty much depend on our jr. FFs for a lot of fire scene work. We even let them drive the smaller apparatus if there is an experienced member with them. Just about everything but interior attacks and being around tanks that can explode or other unsafe scenes.

BUT, the two things that will bring hell down on their heads is if we see them responding to the station in a frantic manner. They must respond calm and cool. Otherwise they are out until 18. The other is if they are screwing around when vehicles are backing into the station. Again hell on their heads. This is to help insure their safety and that they will pass it on down to future junior FFs.

[tajm611]

is this you lebanonnotevenaproby?

[csvt18]

I would NOT let an explorer respond to a scene, that being said an MFR explorer either... just my opinion, but no way. No offense either, I was once an explorer.


Its just to much of a liability, I think, on the dept. Maybe "assist" the regulars, but not a first responding unit..

[d_holder86]

If your in NY then dont bother. You must have a blue light card issued from the fire dept and if you get caught using the light and your not a actual firefighter your goin to jail. Alot of states frown on use of lights as others have said they are only a courtsy light. Our dept has almost 1/3 of members that dont use lights.

[Quadsport25]

My personal opinion is that explorers/juniors do not need lights...You are not acting as a first due firefighter, the most you will be doing is auxilliary/support work, so you do not need to get to the station in a hurry. If your chief wants to issue you a light permit, more power to you, but don't make a federal case about it.

[kolat06]

crossing the line on making this up? So if your not making this up. You have to be 18 in order to be certified as and emt your post says your 16. So if your treating patients without your certification you are breaking the law. So what your saying is that you went through all the trouble of getting ok'd for a light so you can rush to a scene and do nothing?

[tajm611]

Pretty sure this kid will never return nor check these responses. Let's quit being 16 year old paramedics and reviving this thread.