Pennsylvania State Police are cracking down on the illegal use of concealed lights by firefighters and first responders on their personal vehicles.
State law prohibits the use of blue and reds lights used on the interior and concealed behind parking lights. Only one light on top of the vehicle, visible 360 degrees is permitted.
According to WTAE TV based in Pittsburgh, state police officers are targeting Pittsburgh-area firefighters who are allegedly using their lights illegally.
The TV station reported that some volunteers are using blue lights in their windshields and concealed behind factory installed vehicle lights and chiefs are using red lights in the same manner. The only problem is, they are illegal.
The station interviewed East Carnegie Fire Chief Adam Kauer who has dozens of concealed lights on his pickup, in the grill, in the windshield, behind the DOT lights, on the back window of his pickup truck’s cap and even in the running boards.
"Anything you see interior mounted on this vehicle is illegal,” Kauer told the television station reporter, adding that he did not intentionally break the law.
Kauer said he didn’t know the lights were illegal until a state trooper issued warnings to him and two of his firefighters using similar lights.
Pennsylvania State Trooper Robin Mungo told the television station the problem is the motoring public might think the firefighters and first responders are undercover police officers. She said there’s no thought firefighters are trying to impersonate officers, but there are safety issues that can’t be overlooked.
State police say they have issued 25 warnings to Western Pennsylvania firefighters for illegal use of warning lights in the last few months, according to WTAE.
While some firefighters are changing their lights to comply with the law, others are working to change the law so they will comply.
The television station reported that State Rep. Dan Miller, D-Mt. Lebanon is sponsoring legislation to change the law after he heard complaints from fellow firefighters.
"We want them to have the right stuff they need to keep everybody safe when they're responding,” Miller told the television station.
