Response

[Murphy4329]

My department, along with the 99.9% of my surrounding departments use downgraded response codes such as level 2 (lights only) and level 1 (no emergency warning devices, obey all traffic laws). As you all probably know, Jersey Title 39 states that all (lights and sirens) or nothing when responding to calls. Just curious on how everybody else works when it comes to a down graded response and responding just lights, or if you even do it. I am a police officer and I am well aware that there is a bunch of crap within title 39 and half of it is out dated, but unfortunately if you are involved in an accident and you don’t have your siren on, your screwed. Just curious on how everyone runs…..

[CTFDNJ]

LIGHTS AND SIRENS ALL THE WAY! Even when told not to!

[Halligan84]

LIGHTS AND SIRENS ALL THE WAY! Even when told not to!

Huh? Sometimes I read stuff on this board that just makes me think I'm going to pass out.

Emergency - Use your lights and siren. Non-emergency - travel like every other vehicle with NO lights and NO siren

I don't understand the thought process of lights only and I certainly don't understand how you can justify a hot response for every response.

[Bones42]

We run lights on all calls, sirens only when needed. When our response is stepped down, lights may remain on but no sirens. Some guys turn the lights off as well. Then again, our longest response is a whopping 1 mile. :D

[mcaldwell]

BC Law also requires all or nothing. You cannot run lights only.

We used to use our lights for code 2 responses, but have since changed the SOG after much legal opinion in recent years.

I have found that with lights only, people do still tend to accomodate you, and that leads most operators to contravene the traffic act without realizing the risk they are taking.

i.e. You are lights only, and approach an intersection. All traffic sees you and stops. The light is red, but since you think you have been given the right of way you proceed.

If you were involved in a T/C or MVI in this scenario, regardless of whether you hit or got hit, you would be completely screwed as "You" clearly broke the law.

If we run code 2 today, it is non-emergency, no lights, no siren, and with traffic. If time is that important, you should be code three with all devices operating.

[BD6413]

LIGHTS AND SIRENS ALL THE WAY! Even when told not to!
WHY ?

:eek: :eek: Where do you see a need to run lights and siren to every call received ? -- 75% of the calls for service handled by Fire Companies really aren't emergencies. -- Sure they may seem like emergencies to those who called 9-1-1 but seriously. -- Comments like LIGHTS AND SIRENS ALL THE WAY ! Even when told not to! is only a recepie for an accident.

Can someone explain to me what is so facinating about lights and sirens

[DrParasite]

Lights and sirens for all responses, downgraded only a a fire department unit on scene. downgrading means no lights no sirens.

there is no lights only response. if your lights are on your sirens are one.

side note: This doesn't mean leaning on the Q2B and the air horn at 3am when there is no one else on the road. but at intersections and traffic lights, an audible device should be sounded.

[fireman4949]

It's all or nothing...If the lights are on while responding, so is the siren! Always! It's the law.

We also always us the lights when we park at a scene. Every bit if visibility for a parked unit we can get, we use.




Kevin :D

[CTVFDNJ]

I hate to say it but some people on my department are here just to play with the lights and sirens. I shake my head at these people.

[BD6413]

I hate to say it but some people on my department are here just to play with the lights and sirens. I shake my head at these people.

...And I'll bet their the same idiots that swear by the all mighty blue lights on the POV ? :D

[Shoreman22]

Down goes Frazier!!! Down goes Frazier!!!

[swfire42]

late at night our code 3 response is lights only unless we need sirens to clear an intersection or a vehicle out of the way.

[FFTide]

In our NJ town we'll run lights and sirens all calls but with prudence for speed depending on the call. If an officer is on scene and states "units respond with caution" it is just a downgraded response but still lights and sirens, just not "hurrying" to get there.