Emergency Lights on Vehicles

[EMT-83]

I think we've established that it's against 77-1 to run "code", unless that's what you would call driving around with flashing yellow lights.

Interesting that those of us who actually operate emergency vehicles are in agreement that this is a bad idea. Whoever wrote the policy seems to have gotten it right.

[RiverAux]

I don't recall anyone actually suggesting in this thread that blue lights and "running code" be authorized for CAP. 

[wuzafuzz]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I won't stop until my Third Responder/SAR/storm chasing/grocery getting/4x4 family truckster looks like this. 



Of course I'm kidding.  I only have two antennas on my truck and that looks funny to me.

[Krapenhoeffer]

Well, the only other use of a lightbar is that which the State Patrol specifically asked us to do with our vehicles...

In addition to the wonderful lightbar, we were given these strobe-like things that they put on the roof of the vehicle, which are only visible from above. On the road, it looks like a normal white van with weird stickers all around it, but from the air, we light up like a <insert winter holiday here> tree.

Very useful at 2 in the morning.

[HGjunkie]

Well, the only other use of a lightbar is that which the State Patrol specifically asked us to do with our vehicles...

In addition to the wonderful lightbar, we were given these strobe-like things that they put on the roof of the vehicle, which are only visible from above. On the road, it looks like a normal white van with weird stickers all around it, but from the air, we light up like a <insert winter holiday here> tree.

Very useful at 2 in the morning.

That'll be sure to wake the pilot up!   

[RRLE]

The USCG policy for USCG Auxiies is prohibitive of using any lights on an Auxie owned vehicle, other then the standard ones that came with the vehicle.

Operatons Policy Manual (OpsPolMan) 3.F.4. Vehicle Markings

Law enforcement lights may not be mounted or used in any way on a vehicle engaged in Auxiliary activities. Public safety lights may not be energized while engaged in Auxiliary activities. Law enforcement or public safety identifying stripes or markings may not be displayed while assigned to duty.

The reason for the strict prohibition is that many moons ago, the Aux had a problem with both its boats and its land mobile units going "Code" when they had no legal right or authority to do so.  Notice that Auxies cannot even energize a safety light once they get to "the scene" and park. Years ago, some Auxies objected to that rule and stated that local LE told them to use a safety light. The answer from Nat Aux was that if that was a local requirement then Auxies could not do the mission. Local LE or local anyone cannot trump USCG policy for the Aux. The Aux, in certain areas, most notably the NY/NJ area has a recurring problem with getting its members to remove the illegal blue lights from the members boats.

Auxie boats are allowed the use of a public safety ID light. And the use of that is limited.

OpsPolMan 4.E.12. Public Safety Vessel ID Light (bolding added)

The pilot rules allow use of an optional alternately flashing red and yellow (amber) light by public safety vessels engaged in public safety activities. The use of the light serves only as an identification signal and conveys no special privileges. Vessels using the identification light during public safety activities must abide by the Navigation Rules and must not presume that the light or the nature of the activity (emergency or otherwise) gives them precedence or right of way to complete the activity.

For sake of completness and the discussion, some additiional rules & regs regarding the boat light.

OpsPolMan 4.E.12.a. Optional Use

The public safety vessel ID light is optional for Auxiliary vessel facilities. Absence of this light does not affect the Auxiliary facility's certification to perform operational missions unless it is required by the Coast Guard unit commander. Purchase of the public safety vessel ID light is the responsibility of the facility owner – unless it is otherwise required by the Operational Commander, who would provide an ID light for the ordered mission.

OpsPolMan 4.E.12.b. Light Use Allowed

Auxiliary vessel facilities may use the public safety vessel ID light while under orders in the following situations:
• When patrolling regattas and marine events.
• When helping Coast Guard forces in maintaining security zones during such events as shuttle launches and hazardous cargo transfers.
• When needed for brief periods of identification of the Auxiliary facility. These periods include helping a boat in distress locate the Auxiliary facility during a SAR case, warning boats away from a hazardous situation, or when SAR activity takes place within the boundaries of regattas, marine events, or security zones.

OpsPolMan 4.E.12.c. Light Use Prohibited

An Auxiliary vessel facility may not display the public safety vessel ID under the following circumstances:
• As a towing light (see paragraph E.11 of this section for guidance on towing lights).
• During the prosecution of a SAR case, except as authorized above.

Auxies are prohibited in several places in the OpsPolMan from ever using blue LE lights on the water (or anywhere else).

[PhotogPilot]

I think we all need red and blue lights...and national should issue us all Glock's too....

No Tupperware guns for me, make mine a 1911a1 or a M9

[Major Lord]

I had a code three drive from Petaluma California to San Francisco (across the deadly golden gate bridge, which they would shut down for Code 3 traffic before they had movable barriers) with a patient who required full blast heat in summer time, a staff of medical people all in gowns and masks ( including me ) and trying to copy lab values over the radio while driving in Bay area traffic. Fun? Not so much.......Those amber rotators are pretty handy when you want to pass stopped traffic on the shoulder though. Technically, not permissible.

Major Lord

[zonaman]

In AZ, the state allows the use of white/amber any where on the vehicle, and red only in the rear of the vehicle, they can be strobe and you can have your head, tail, and blinker lights set up with a strobe option for vehicles that are used for construction, land scapeing, and SAR. The UDF teams I have been a part of have NEVER used their lights while driving, only when on the side of the road, airports, and AF base flightlines. I agree that CAP should never need to run at a code 3. Maybe and I mean MAYBE during a disaster could e-lights be used while driving.

[SarDragon]

Excuse me, what's a MABY?

[zonaman]

oops, Sory I ment maybe

[Major Lord]

oops, Sory I ment maybe

Just......can't........take....it.....anymore...........

Major Lord

[FlyTiger77]

oops, Sory I ment maybe

Contrary to popular belief, the "Spell Check" button is actually quite painless when pushed.

[Fubar]

I agree that CAP should never need to run at a code 3. Maybe and I mean MAYBE during a disaster could e-lights be used while driving.

One amusing thing about the response to Hurricane Katrina is everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY had flashing lights on their cars while zipping around. Various out-of-area LE vehicles, the red cross, a bunch of volunteer "disaster response" groups I hadn't heard of, and heck even a bunch of ham radio operators. How special can you feel having blinking lights when everybody else has them too?

Not that traffic was really an issue anyway.

[a2capt]

Not that traffic was really an issue anyway.

OTOH - If you didn't have lights, they wouldn't see you to shoot at you ;-)

[zonaman]

One amusing thing about the response to Hurricane Katrina is everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY had flashing lights on their cars while zipping around. Various out-of-area LE vehicles, the red cross, a bunch of volunteer "disaster response" groups I hadn't heard of, and heck even a bunch of ham radio operators. How special can you feel having blinking lights when everybody else has them too?

Not that traffic was really an issue anyway.

If you don't have flashing lights on your car, your not in the "Flashing Light Club"

[SARPilotNY]

If CAP really wanted to increase their membership they would allow us to have red and blue lightbars, sirens, badges and guns. 
I bet our membership would double...just think of all that free visibility!

[SarDragon]

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.