Let's discuss Blue Lights

[TraumaGirl]

First off, I must say I am an advocate against blue lights, but that is not wholly the issue here. I think people need to sometimes be reminded of the proper use and operation of a blue light on your private vehicle.

This is the scene I saw today, that really made me shake my head, and think "why?". A vehicle was traveling down the road, probably about 10-15 miles an hour in excess of the speed limit, with the blue light flashing, constantly laying into their horn, trying to make others move. If this wasn't bad enough, I watched this vehicle then attempt to "split traffic". Now this definately didn't make me too happy, seeing as how I was in the opposing traffic he/she was coming towards.

Quoted form PA statutes regarding blue light use "This subsection does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons" I understand the need for urgency when there is a fire/medical emergency, but I think there is also a need for caution. The the actions I saw today definately were not airing on the side of caution, nor were they acting with due regard for others. Having a blue light does not make you an emergency vehicle, and I don't think some people realize that. This is not to say that everyone misuses these devices, but some do, and I think it is definately an issue that should be addressed.

I would just hate to see a traffic accident caused because someone was too stupid to be responsible with their equipment.

[jdbyers]

This vehicle didn't happen to be a Ford Escort with a Strobe bar (sticking 3 inches off each side) on the roof did it ?

JD

[TraumaGirl]

Hmmm, no it wasn't. Why, should I watch out if I see that one coming? ;D

[vol4life]

The RHC just passed a new SOG stating that anyone wishing to run a blue light on thier vehicle have to be 21 years old and have EVOC. We make all the drivers of the apparatus have EVOC so why not make the folks with blue lights have it to? An interesting statistic that came from Chief Doug Bitner when we were talking about the new protocols for EMS and the guidelines listed for BLS responce to certain incidents. He stated that he took the times from a unit responding to a call with wooo wooo's going and compared them to the times it took him to go to the same place in his POV and he said the difference was less than a minute. Now if red lights and sirens do not get you there any faster then how is a blue light and no noise makers at all? I will say I used to run the blue lights on my vehicle but looking back it really didn't make that big of a difference.

[GAPA9A]

Craig, Your not alone I'm sure most everyone on this board has ran the blues at one point in time and I'm sure we've all gotten a little out of hand atleast once while running them.
But in retrospect its clear to me now that Blue Lights are a nice to have but not a need to have when responding to a call. Just like its nice when the public pulls over for you but just remember they don't have to.

[Johnny Knoxville]

If you run a blue light down through town like an idiot, people think, "One of those damned fireman again" NOW, If you run down through town like an idiot without a blue light people think, "Wow, thats guy is really in a hurry" See there, you get there faster, and no ones can associate you with a fire department.

JK ;D

[Bill]

vol4life said:

An interesting statistic that came from Chief Doug Bitner when we were talking about the new protocols for EMS and the guidelines listed for BLS responce to certain incidents. He stated that he took the times from a unit responding to a call with wooo wooo's going and compared them to the times it took him to go to the same place in his POV and he said the difference was less than a minute. Now if red lights and sirens do not get you there any faster then how is a blue light and no noise makers at all?

Bet the call wasn't over Route 30 from Chambersburg through the construction towards, "Da Ville."

There's NO WAY you're only going to have a difference of one minute through that mess, or for that matter, any of the other high traffic snarled mess, "Clusters".

[MAYTAG]

Bill, ya don't need the added mess of the construction on 30 to have a significant delay.

There have been times post construction that it took 20 minutes to go "Da ville" to the "I", so I do NOT totally buy that responding lite/ sirens only gains ya a minute or so!!!

[SubZeroSapphire]

Not that I agree with the whole minute thing either, but I can tell you that they are teaching the same concept in EVOC class ( I took one a few months or so ago) Somebody must believe it, and that is how the new crews of drivers are being taught.