Volunteer Firefighter Emergency Lights

Patterns of firefighter lights

A fire outbreak is one of the more ghastly of accidents, and one that needs immediate attention. The public appears to be as aware of the problem as the fire department, because the dousing of fires is often achieved as much by the contribution of volunteer firefighters, as by that of the official firefighters. All those who participate in the job, be they from the fire department or volunteer firefighters, are allowed to use different types of firefighter lights on their vehicles for the facility to go faster.

Pretty much everything about fire, fire engines, and fire apparatus are defined by the color red, and firefighter lights are also predominantly red. However, the rules governing the light use vary from state to state, and from department to department. Red, white, and amber are the colors predominantly used in the fire department vehicles. In a light bar, red and white is often front facing, with amber light on the back.

Since fire engines are huge leviathans, firefighter lights also have to be big in size and more in number to make the vehicle visible. Lights displayed on a fire truck may include red and white light bars, red and amber rotators, and amber arrow sticks towards the back. Besides these, some fire trucks may use strobe lights on the dash and half a dozen grille lights as well.

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Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-security-articles/patterns-of-firefighter-lights-1437010.html

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    Volunteer Firefighter Emergency Lights in Ohio?
    I would like to know the laws regarding volunteer firefighter warning lights on their personal cars, what colors are reserved for the VFD and how many are allowed? Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Red lights are the legal color for you to use. Make sure you are allowed by your department’s policy, and follow the policy when you are using the lights.

      I’m sure this will be no surprise to you that a lot of law enforcement aren’t really thrilled when we see someone in their personal car with a little red Kojak light burning through intersections like they own them. Whatever you do, go slow and be cautious if you are doing this. People WILL NOT get out of your way and you are taking your life (and other people’s) in your hands when you use the light.

      Also, you need to check the ORC for the specifics but your light needs to be visible for so many feet AND you need an audible siren for so many feet. You also need to make sure you are responding to an actual reported emergency (usually what constitutes that is spelled out in your department’s policy). You are taking on a HUGE liability when you turn that light on and pass cars.

      I am not trying to give you a hard time here, there is just so much civil (and even criminal) liability involved here. If you haven’t done a lot of emergency driving (I am guessing by your question here that you haven’t) then there is a tendency to drive like a bat out of Hell. I have trained a lot of new police officers and it is hard to get that out of them. I drove a well marked police cruiser for years and people never wanted to get out of my way. Now I drive an unmarked police car that has a lot of grill lights, corner strobes, and windshield strobes. People don’t get out of my way for anything. The emergency lights merely ask for right of way. Expect everyone to pull out in front of you and to not get out of your way.

      OK, I will get off my soapbox. Good luck and stay safe.

  2. QUESTION:
    Can volunteer firefighters have emergency lights in Baltimore county?
    I am a volunteer firefighter in baltimore county and I wanted to know if i can put red strobes in my grille and hide-aways in my lights so I can get to the station a little faster. Not to be able to drive like an idiot but so I don’t get stuck behind grandma on the way. So, is it legal for volunteer firefighters to have red strobe emergency lights on their personal vehicles in Baltimore county?

    • ANSWER:
      Ask your chief or call local law enforcement non emergency # and ask

  3. QUESTION:
    Volunteer firefighter vehicle emergency lighting?
    I am a Volunteer firefighter and am shopping for emergency lights for my car dose anyone know where i can find bright lights for my car. they need to be Extremely visible during the day as well as night

    • ANSWER:
      Try Galls.com. They have all kinds of equipment like this, you may have to provide proof of belonging to a department. I’ve always thought wig wag headlights were the biggest bang for the buck supplemented with color appropriate strobes on the visor and rear window. .

  4. QUESTION:
    is it true(in california) that if you are a volunteer firefighter you can add the emergency lights to your car?
    The nearest volunteer firefighter station is about 20/25 minutes away. Somebody told me that if I am a volunteer that I can legally add emergency lights to my car so that if I get a call I can go there?
    Is there any truth to this or anything anywhere near close?

    • ANSWER:
      Yes, but it’s not likely to happen- emergency lighting on POVs is rare in CA. Unlike most other states CA is very strict about it and very few people actually get the required permit. This is something that you will have to discuss with your chain of command- they will have they final say.
      For more info see-

      http://www.elightbars.org

      - David

  5. QUESTION:
    What are the laws regarding emergency lights on volunteer firefighter POVS in NYS?
    I am a volunteer firefighter in the state of new york. I need to know what the laws and regulations are regarding lighting on POVs. I have searched the NYS V&T laws and the law states nothing regarding REAR FACING ONLY LIGHTS…..what colors are legal to display from the rear of a pov? Any law enforcement officers will helpful insight please, ide think you would know best…I dont want to spend money on LEDs that local L.E. will tell me to remove.

    • ANSWER:
      When I lived in NY all our volunteers had one blue light on the top of their car or truck, that was it.


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