blue light certificate????????

[pengman]

I have just got a blue light certificate from my fire chief and have a few questions for you guys.
my fire chief was telling us that when called out to a fire or medical emergency the blue light is only for identification purposes only and therfore if we come to a red stop light we have to stop and wait for the light to change to green. if this is the case what is the point of the blue light. he also stated that it will not allow you to exceed the speed limit even by 10 mph. is it just that iowa is backward i mean how stupid would it look if you are responding to a call with the light flashing only to have to stop and wait. I have looked at iowa code 321.423 and i am just confused as to what i can or cannot do/ any help would be appreciated
paul

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

my fire chief was telling us that when called out to a fire or medical emergency the blue light is only for identification purposes only and therfore if we come to a red stop light we have to stop and wait for the light to change to green. if this is the case what is the point of the blue light. he also stated that it will not allow you to exceed the speed limit even by 10 mph.

If you can't follow your department's rules and regulations, maybe you shouldn't be there...

[pengman]

There was nothing mentioned about following dept rules codes or anything else. this is not a dept thing it is a DOT thing i was asking as i would not like to think i did anything that could earn me a ticket from law enforcement. I have a duty not to endenger bot myself or others. and i was asking if anyone knows what is allowed or not allowed. so i do not know where you get the idea i cannot follow dept rules. this has nothing to do with dept rules as the cert is issued by the DOT

[Lewiston2FF]

Originally posted by pengman
There was nothing mentioned about following dept rules codes or anything else. this is not a dept thing it is a DOT thing i was asking as i would not like to think i did anything that could earn me a ticket from law enforcement. I have a duty not to endenger bot myself or others. and i was asking if anyone knows what is allowed or not allowed. so i do not know where you get the idea i cannot follow dept rules. this has nothing to do with dept rules as the cert is issued by the DOT

I believe this statement by you at the start of this thread contradicts the above statement:

I have just got a blue light certificate from my fire chief and have a few questions for you guys.

Since the certificate is issued by the fire chief, you have to follow his/her rules since he/she can pull the certificate for violating his/her rules. Any department can make rules more stringent than the state rules and they have to be followed or you will find yourself in the position of not having the need for a blue light or not having a bluelight certficate.

[StayBack500FT]

Originally posted by pengman
if this is the case what is the point of the blue light.

Exactly!!

[pengman]

I got the permit last night. I had asked him for sometime for a permit and the dept did not have any so i had to call the DOT for some and had them sent to the dept there are several guys that have had lights and just never got a permit as they did not see the need. i wanted them to stay on the right side of the law. I asked my chief and what is described above is his understanding of what is meant on it. the only thing that it says on the certificate is
All privately owned vehicles equipped with with blue lights are required to carry this application validated by the fire chief, authorizing the use of blue lights
this certificate is valid for the display of a blue light for identification purposes only at such time the vehicle is operated enroute or responding to a fire or transporting persons in an emergency. it would be good if it came with something that states what is allowed and not allowed. I have been in the dept only for 1 year and this is the first time i have had one issued so i want to make sure i do things right

[CaptOldTimer]

I don't think DOT or whatever you mean has anything to do with it. It is a State Police rules that governs lights for volley's and well as paid depts.


IF you can not follow the rules set forth by the Fire Chief, then I suggest that you turn in you little blue light and gear and find something else that fit you better.

Fire Depaertment's are made up with a lot of rules and regulations and if you can't abide by them, them you need to tell the Chief and abide by his or her ruling!!!



http://members.aol.com/webmast999/Whacker.htm

[pengman]

I do not know where you get this following rules from nothing i have said states i do not and will not follow rules. If i could not follow rules i would not be an emt also. I follow all protocols and standing orders to the letter. the last thing i would want to do is endanger someone elses life. I had a question and was hoping to get someone that could help in answering my question and not attack me for asking.

[pengman]

the permit is from iowa department of transportation and is validated by the fire chiefs signature it is a restricted form that you just cannot go to your local driving license office and ask for one. maybe i was not clear enough i just do not know. I have found some information that i think answers the question. i need to read it some more to understand it but i will post what i find.

[dragonslayer22]

i get where you are coming from we have the same basic thing in my town. the rules are if you have a light then yes you SHOULD follow all traffic laws. haveing a light does not make you an emergency vechicle and so yes when you come to a stop light or stop sign you have to stop. but the reason in haveing one is if coming down the open road and someone is in front you they will know that you are fire/rescue and should move and allow you to pass. if you come to a stop light and its red unplug your light and wait. then when it turns green turn it back on. i have a light and depending on were i am and what time of day or night it is i might run it and i might not just use your head. o yea and most cops give you a break on the speed thing but i wouldn't go over 15 above to posted speed. hope this helps

[CaptOldTimer]

No one attacked you pal.

You asked a question and STATED that the CHIEF had told you the resons thereforth.

Follow the Fire Chiefs directions on the use of blue or what ever lights. You driving your POV, is not considered as an emergency vehicle.

As a matter of note, Most states rules on running lights and sirens, says that the vehicle must come to a complete stop and then proceed, ONLY and only when it is safe to do. In other words you can't bust a stop sign or red traffic signal.

I have on many occasions stop the siren when in heavy traffic and the signal ahead was RED and we had cars blocking us from getting to the intersection. If you force a private vehicle out into an intersection and they are in an accident, you as the driver and/or officer can be held for causing the accident.

People get confused when seeing a red, blue or even a amber light flashing and tend to stop dead in the street and block out the emergergeny vehicle.

[wvfd05]

Originally posted by CaptOldTimer
People get confused when seeing a red, blue or even a amber light flashing and tend to stop dead in the street and block out the emergergeny vehicle. [/B]

That is why I don't have lights on my POV. Most of the time you can get where you are going almost as fast without lights and less dangerously.

TF

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

if this is the case what is the point of the blue light.

>>Huge sigh<<

"Dude. Come here. Sit down.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the Chief didn't want you to have a blue light?"

Call me silly, but I think that you might have just a teensy-weensy bit of growing up to do. Leave the blue light in the box, man.

[pengman]

thanks guys i think you have just gave me the answer i was looking for. i was checking the codes and they were confusing me. so once again i thank you for your replies and help

[Dave404]

AHHH the "blue light". Just forget about it. It may give you the sense that you can speed by heightning adrenaline going to calls.

If you want to outfit your POV and speed and run red lights - then register as an emergency vehicle - if you can afford the isurance! If you went that route you may also be cofused with "A WHACKER"

Forget the lights - they are a pain that do nothing except tell people you have a blue light - woo hoo!

[firepimp]

Thats nothing , we can only go 10mph over in the apparatus when responding to calls , and have to almost pretty much stop at stop lights when responding. And your bitching about having to do it in your pov , whatever to each his own series of aggrivations and problems.

[Bones42]

Originally posted by firepimp
Thats nothing , we can only go 10mph over in the apparatus when responding to calls , and have to almost pretty much stop at stop lights when responding.

Just curious, but are you complaining about those procedures?

[pengman]

I have got by without a blue light for a little over 1 year. my wife got me one for christmas and is still sat in the box. after a few months of her asking why i did not use it i decided i would get a permit just to keep her quiet. the light is still in the box, i do not have to much use for one as im in a rural dept. i drive ambulances most of the day and i did not know if the rules were the same or not. i guess it was a stupid question. I was not the only person thinking about this and wanting to know more so i had to ask and with you guys having a lot of combined experience and knowledge i thought i would ask here

[pengman]

Originally posted by firepimp
Thats nothing , we can only go 10mph over in the apparatus when responding to calls , and have to almost pretty much stop at stop lights when responding. And your bitching about having to do it in your pov , whatever to each his own series of aggrivations and problems.

in our ambulance service we can only do 10 mph over the speed limit on emercency calls also. the reason for us is that we were told that there is only one insurance carrier that is willing to insure ambulances and that is a condition of insurance. we had a paramedic fired when he was caught speeding responding to a call

[StayBack500FT]

pleaseusethepropercaseofletter atthestartofyoursentencesasthe yaredifficulttoreadwhenyoudont . thankyouverymuchstayback500ft.