Fire Chief and Deputys Responding vehicles

[fuckyoufuckers]

You guys are ****ed i ask for a little help and you guys just shoot me down.... I must be dealing with Volunteers.. this web site should be call
firefighterwannabes.com..... get a real job no one volunteers anymore fkn posers

[ChiefKN]

Just wondering what the regs are for their emergency response vehicles.

The reason for this is because they have no visible markings on their trucks stating it’s an emergency vehicle. They both have no light bars on the roof just hidden emergency LED strobe flashers behind the front grill, on the inside of the back windows. They have little LED flashing lights that are on the sun visor that they fold down when on route and little lights that blink on the mirrors and that it. They have no lighting and no stripe flashing down the side, no stickers stating it’s a fire truck or related to the fire dept.

They look like someone’s personal truck when the lights are not flashing. Their reason for this is they are worried about people vandalizing the trucks?? I think they just want to use the city trucks for personal chores free gas etc..

Just wondering if there is anywhere I can find something or somewhere that they need this or they do? They are city vehicles

Fire Chiefs is driving a 2009 Dodge Nitro
Deputy is driving a 2009 Chevy 1500 pickup

Horrible choices for vehicles, first of all...

I imagine the laws vary state by state. Not to mention that without knowing more, its hard to even consider your question.

IMO, vehicles should be marked.

[TNFF319]

Horrible choices for vehicles, first of all...

I imagine the laws vary state by state. Not to mention that without knowing more, its hard to even consider your question.

IMO, vehicles should be marked.

Chief, I think this is just a civillian whining about paying for a city vehicle.

[CaptOldTimer]

Just another ticked off member of a department who doesn't have the vehicle for his use.

His first post in here and he crying a bucket of crocodile tears.

Most urban fire departments don't mark the vehicles for the Chief of Department or their Deputies. Usually the car(s) are rotated every year and no sense in dressing them out.

[ChiefKN]

Chief, I think this is just a civillian whining about paying for a city vehicle.

No doubt. Its still a good topic for discussion.

I have seen some volunteer departments operating "stealth" chief vehicles. I don't get it.

[TNFF319]

No doubt. Its still a good topic for discussion.

I have seen some volunteer departments operating "stealth" chief vehicles. I don't get it.

I can understand large cities not marking the higher ups. I do not understand not marking common response vehicles. There are already enough vehicles on the road with flashing lights. We need to stand out.

[Tim1118]

Given the amount of theft to fire departments, I can see the desire to use unmarked vehicles. But...

I think they just want to use the city trucks for personal chores free gas etc..

City vehicle... free gas??? Most cities that I know of have fleet accounts with which ever fuel source they have an agreement with. So I'm not sure what you're getting at there. I could see you having an issue with them putting gas in their personal vehicle and charging it to the city, but a city vehicle??? As for personal chores... some are allowed, some are not. There are always going to be people breaking the rules, no matter what profession you're in.

[dmleblanc]

I have seen some volunteer departments operating "stealth" chief vehicles. I don't get it.

Well, this volunteer fire chief operates a "stealth" vehicle because it's my own vehicle.

I have seen some volunteer departments where the chief gets a vehicle. I don't get it

[BoxAlarm187]

I have seen some volunteer departments where the chief gets a vehicle. I don't get it

Our VFD chief is issued a F350 four door pickup as his department vehicle. Our first due area is 72 square miles, so its convenient for him to first respond to calls in it. Furthermore, with the number of extra meetings and events he must attend, its a bit of a perk for him to get to use the department vehicle for such.

Our members who are attending training classes out of town have the option to take the chiefs vehicle in lieu of their POV, so it does benefit the regular membership as well.

I'm not sure what it is that you don't get?

[FIREMECH1]

Our career dept. Chief's vehicle is unmarked with hidden LED's (B/C's are marked and have external lights). I have a huge problem with that, as noted on another thread. If you're a career dept., mark your response vehicles as such, with external lighting. Otherwise you look like a wannabe undercover cop.

I'm covered by a VFD, and the Chief's vehicle is clearly marked as Fire Chief, paid by the City. He does take it home, and makes runs from his house to all fires and major incidents. He considers himself OTJ 24/7, so I have no problem with seeing it at the store, or in his driveway.

FM1

[ChiefKN]

Well, this volunteer fire chief operates a "stealth" vehicle because it's my own vehicle.

I have seen some volunteer departments where the chief gets a vehicle. I don't get it

Sounds like a topic for another thread.

[DeputyMarshal]

Our career dept. Chief's vehicle is unmarked with hidden LED's (B/C's are marked and have external lights). I have a huge problem with that, as noted on another thread. If you're a career dept., mark your response vehicles as such, with external lighting. Otherwise you look like a wannabe undercover cop.

Honestly, does it really matter? Oftentimes Chiefs get 24/7/365 use of a department car as a "perk" because they're expected to respond to all major emergencies whenever they occur. As long as they're provided with appropriate emergency lights and audibles to respond in emergency mode if necessary, what difference does it make if they're immediately recognizable as the fire chief?

[ChiefKN]

Honestly, does it really matter? Oftentimes Chiefs get 24/7/365 use of a department car as a "perk" because they're expected to respond to all major emergencies whenever they occur. As long as they're provided with appropriate emergency lights and audibles to respond in emergency mode if necessary, what difference does it make if they're immediately recognizable as the fire chief.

Yea, cuz the vinyl letters are so expensive!

[DeputyMarshal]

Yea, cuz the vinyl letters are so expensive!

No, but they're unnecessary.

[ChiefKN]

No, but they're unnecessary.

You could make that argument on all vehicles then.

[BoxAlarm187]

You could make that argument on all vehicles then.

Does it matter if some chief's are marked and some aren't? Why not let the department pick what they think is best for their area?

[ChiefKN]

Does it matter if some chief's are marked and some aren't? Why not let the department pick what they think is best for their area?

They can do what they like, I don't have to like it...

I was merely offering my opinion, not proposing a law.

[mikeyboy411]

The State Regulation here states that Emergency Vehicles only need to have a "steady" red light visible from 1,000 feet to the front. I remember there also needs to be an amber light visible to the rear also, but researched the CHP 810 Document (covers Emergency/Commercial Vehicles) and did not find anything that states that. The use of the siren is a given so I won't state the Reg. for that.

The reason for this is because they have no visible markings on their trucks stating it’s an emergency vehicle.

When not responding to an emergency all Emergency Vehicles must abide by all the traffic laws. So, it is a normal vehicle..... The "steady" red to the front is what tells you it's an Emergency Vehicle so if you see that, pull over. At intersections, if you hear a siren then proceed to the right or stop depending on the situation. It's that simple..... Even if it had stripes and such down the side, you wouldn't see them from the front anyways so it doesn't matter.

They look like someone’s personal truck when the lights are not flashing.

You mean that your Volunteer FFs look like "real/regular people"? Say it ain't so.....

I think they just want to use the city trucks for personal chores free gas etc..

By "personal chores" you mean being on call 24/7? How about you try this, schedule some "Family Time" and have it interrupted by a total stranger that needs help. Do this for many years and see how it works for ya..... When you're a Volunteer/Paid Call FF there is no such thing as a "personal chore." When the pager goes off, you respond even when you're doing things for yourself or around the house. Yes, they "signed-up" for this Job and they knew this would happen to them but it still does not change the fact that it regularly happens.

As I see it, there is no such thing as "free gas" since the city is buying it (at a bulk rate, to keep the price down) and somebody has to pay for it. The taxpayers are covering the bill... And yes, the Fire Chiefs are taxpaying folks also so all they are doing is spending their fair share of the taxes they are paying. You drive on the public funded roads correct? Enjoy them, you paid for them.


I am a Career Truck Captain and spent a couple years as a Volunteer FF and many years as a Paid Call FF in my local Town. It annoys me A LOT when I read people that complain about this. If you work the Job, then shame on you and quit complaining..... If you are a Civilian I say, "thank you very much sir/ma am, we will take your concerns and investigate them thoroughly" and then return to leading my Crew. Let the FFs do their Job and don't be so petty..... Or cough-up more tax dollars and go Career.

[DeputyMarshal]

You could make that argument on all vehicles then.

Yeah, actually I could. With the exception that the other regular duty vehicles are typically used exclusively for FD business and there's an element of positive PR in explicitly identifying them. (Not that there's any chance of not recognizing a fire engine. )

[islandfire03]

You guys are ****ed i ask for a little help and you guys just shoot me down.... I must be dealing with Volunteers.. this web site should be call
firefighterwannabes.com..... get a real job no one volunteers anymore fkn posers

try whackers & whiners dot com. You'd fit right in there.