POV lighting help!!

[Jr.Fire.24]

I'm looking for a cheap dash light,but it has to be good and will last? Anyone know a good website for cheap new or used lights? I live in Pennsylvania so It need blue lights.

[fire49]

http://www.galls.com/cgi/CGBCSRCH?PM...00000000001647

[BoxAlarm187]

I know you've come in here with the best of intentions, but please be prepared for a handful of folks to tell you to stop wasting your money, you're too young, blue lights don't belong on POV's, etc, etc, etc.

In the meantime, go to www.elightbars.org and talk to the fellas over there.

Best of luck....

[FWDbuff]

I live in Pennsylvania so It need blue/blue lights.

If you meant to say "I live in Pennsylvania so I need blue lights" uhhh, NO you DONT. And yes, you are too young. Learn to master the art of driving your vehicle under normal conditions first before you toss in a silly blue light that means absolutely NOTHING in the State of Pa that you DO NOT NEED to have to begin with.

By the way, have you checked with your own personal auto liability carrier to see if they will cover you if involved in an accident while using your blue lights? And for those of you who say "Your volly company's coverage kicks in when your beeper goes off" I throw down the BULL**** flag.....I brought up the very subject to my volly chief and president 15 years ago, they said "Um, yes!" so I said "Good then I would like to see that section in the policy or I want a letter from our agent saying I am covered for liability on the Fire Company's dime if involved in an accident in my vehicle while responding with a blue light." I got the "deer in the headlights look."

I am still waiting to see that section of the policy or the letter.

[LaFireEducator]

Surprised that the department allows Juniors to have blue lights. Seems like a lot of liability to me.

Please notify your insurance company that you are running lights. This is especially true if you are a junior as it may affect the premuims your Dad is paying and may void any coverage that if you have if you are in an accident while responding with the light operating.

Also be aware that as a person under 18, operating under your parent's insurance, they can be named in a civil suit should you have a serious accident while responding. If the insurance company fails to cover you because you were in a response mode, your parent's assets now are fair game for the plantiffs.

I know of several people that found out the hard way that some insurance companies will deny claims if you are responding with a light.

[tree68]

In one respect, the blue light is nice because it's a badge that says "I'm a volunteer firefighter" even when it's off (unless you've got one of those LED lights that don't tell tales when they're off). If you're not acting stupid, it might get you a nod of positive recognition. If you're being stupid, the headline will include "volunteer firefighter" whether the light is on or off, and it won't be pretty.

On the other hand, turning the blue light on, while not conferring any privileges, seems to give some folks the driving version of "beer muscles." They think they suddenly own the road and drive that way. On far to many instances, that's been with tragic results.

Take a good look at why you're putting that light on your vehicle. Do you live a distance from the station? Does your route include areas where people might be nice enough to give you a little "help" if you're running the light? As a young member, it's not likely you'll be involved in traffic control, so that's not really a consideration.

A blue light isn't a panacea. The waters don't magically part when you turn it on (heck - people ignore red lights and a "Q"). If you just want it as a "badge" that you're a VFF, it doesn't even have to work...

And unless you're a full-fledged firefighter (not a junior/Explorer/etc), you don't need one at all.

[HuntPA]

Make sure you:
1) Get permission from the chief
2) Send in your license plate number to the state police (required by law)
3) Notify your insurance company as others have said
4) Dash lights are illegal unless you also have the other 3 sides visible. Read the vehicle code. You need to be visible on all 360 degrees and can have no more than 2 light sources.

Once you have done all of this, drive with courtesy and respect to all other drivers. You are now representing every other volunteer fire fighter in the state and are now easily identifiable. This is true whether you have the light on, or you are out having a good time.

[Jr.Fire.24]

Thanks for the help, and I know I'm to young, I don't get my license till march but still don't get a light till 18, it's for when my dad drives me to the station(he used to be a firefighter but work has stop him from having time to do it). I already have the other lights for the 360 degree view, I just didn't want to spend a ton of money on it.

[CaptOldTimer]

Putting my armor on and getting in the bomb shelter as incoming shells begin to fall.

Jrfire24, look in the volley section on lights for povs. It is full of everything, pros and con's, why and not's. Take your pick.

[Miller337]

Putting my armor on and getting in the bomb shelter as incoming shells begin to fall.

Jrfire24, look in the volley section on lights for povs. It is full of everything, pros and con's, why and not's. Take your pick.

Move over C.O.T. and be quick about it, I already hear incoming shells.

[Miller337]

Thanks for the help, and I know I'm to young, I don't get my license till march but still don't get a light till 18, it's for when my dad drives me to the station(he used to be a firefighter but work has stop him from having time to do it). I already have the other lights for the 360 degree view, I just didn't want to spend a ton of money on it.

Oh my. Kiddo if you make it through what is about to happen to you without major mental afflictions or losing your cool you will be another step closer to being a man. Suck it up big guy you are gonna get body slammed.

[FyredUp]

This seemed appropriate.

[LaFireEducator]

Thanks for the help, and I know I'm to young, I don't get my license till march but still don't get a light till 18, it's for when my dad drives me to the station(he used to be a firefighter but work has stop him from having time to do it). I already have the other lights for the 360 degree view, I just didn't want to spend a ton of money on it.

Ok, that's better.

[slackjawedyokel]

Hopefully your Dad doesnt drive a "soccer mom" van. Nothing worse (other than a pinto) tann a soccermom van whacked out.

[Jr.Fire.24]

Haha never and a pinto!come on man! No 05 silverado and 07 tahoe

[Stubs]

Ive ordered most of mine from Speed Tech Lights.

Great customer Service and great prices.

https://www.speedtechlights.com/

[fotowun]

Hopefully your Dad doesnt drive a "soccer mom" van. Nothing worse (other than a pinto) tann a soccermom van whacked out.

Hey!! I had a Pinto! A Sprint at that! 'Course it was brand new when I had it. Have a Focus now...Ford 's basic transportation veee-hicle has come a long LONG way in 40 years!

[BENV17]

As a private citizen, not a volunteer firefighter is your dad allowed to drive with a blue light in PA? He may very well be breaking the law if he does that.

[tree68]

As a private citizen, not a volunteer firefighter is your dad allowed to drive with a blue light in PA? He may very well be breaking the law if he does that.

Don't know how PA law reads. In NY, only a volly firefighter may display a blue light (recent changes regarding rear-facing blue notwithstanding).

If it's not on, it's not "displayed," so anyone can drive the vehicle.

I suspect it's a little grayer when it comes to who's driving. The question has been raised, however, as to whether a family with Dad as a chief, Mom as an EMT, and Junior as a firefighter, can run all three lights (red, green, blue). The answer is no, but I believe the red could be run even if Junior is driving.

I could be wrong.

[FWDbuff]

My balls itch........