Pennsylvania POV Lighting

[johnsb]

Why? We would never use the seats. It is quicker and more efficient to drive POV to the scene.

Then you have a bunch of POV's clogging up the scene, not to mention how many of your POV's have hoses and water??? Not to mention you can pack up on the way. Lots of volunteers being injured or killed in POV crashes too. Unless you have to pass the scene on your way to the firehouse, there's zero reason to drive to the scene.

[JSJJ388]

There are those who have rued the advent of home alerts, and then pagers, as members no longer had to go to the fire station to find out it was "only" a car fire...

I don't actively run (ie, take shifts) with the not-for-profit ambulance I helped form because I can't see sitting around for 8 or more hours watching TV when I could be home doing something constructive. I know, I could be training, but that gets old, too.


True, that. At well over a half million a year to staff a single engine company 24/7, it'll be a long time before departments covering a hundred square miles on bake sales and raffles can go paid. Adding that engine company would triple my fire tax, for 200 calls a year, maybe.

Absolutely accurate!!! It would cost waaayyy more than our yearly budget to staff our station, for 152 calls last year.

[JSJJ388]

Maybe it would help if you guys got out of the 1960's and spec'd fire apparatus with more than just 2 seats...

Why? We would never use the seats. It is quicker and more efficient to drive POV to the scene.

[tree68]

But like others here have said, take away my lights and make me sit in the station, "I'm outta here."

There are those who have rued the advent of home alerts, and then pagers, as members no longer had to go to the fire station to find out it was "only" a car fire...

I don't actively run (ie, take shifts) with the not-for-profit ambulance I helped form because I can't see sitting around for 8 or more hours watching TV when I could be home doing something constructive. I know, I could be training, but that gets old, too.

Rural areas, will depend on volunteers for many years.

True, that. At well over a half million a year to staff a single engine company 24/7, it'll be a long time before departments covering a hundred square miles on bake sales and raffles can go paid. Adding that engine company would triple my fire tax, for 200 calls a year, maybe.

[PhillyRube]

Just today I almost got T-Boned at an intersection in Bucks County Pa by a volly running a red light. I have said it before, I am saying it again.....Pa would be doing everyone a favor if they just made blue lights illegal.

I know in the Philly 'burbs, it is like driving in the city. NO real difference in traffic from the City Line out 25 miles, including Sout Jersey. Those companies need to take a look at their staffing and start thinking about putting a duty crew in the station. Dangerous to make a response to the station or the scene. But like others here have said, take away my lights and make me sit in the station, "I'm outta here." I came from a system in a large city (500,000 plus summer guests). We pretty much did away with POV response, and we lost members. To me, no loss. Their hearts weren't in it to start with. As the volunteer numbers dropped, the city was forced to add career firefighters. 35 years later, career agency with a dozen or certified volunteers and salvage truck "bottle techs'". EMS has remained volunteer but career staff is slowly filtering in. They have to. Another 10 years and the vols will be gone as well. Then too, they were saying this back in the 70s!!

Rural areas, will depend on volunteers for many years.

[johnsb]

True. I value being in the dept, so I keep my ducks in a row. I live close to the chief, usually end up right behind him heading to calls.

Our chief usually responds to scene, for the same reason most of us do. Its quicker to let the guys close by the station grab the trucks. Hes brought trucks as well though. I see no problem with the chief working like the rest of us.

Yea, people are pretty good at yielding for red lights here. If they werent, I wouldnt run them.

Maybe it would help if you guys got out of the 1960's and spec'd fire apparatus with more than just 2 seats...

[JSJJ388]

Adrenaline is a funny thing...

Here in NY, you don't see as many blue lights as you used to - of course that could be in large part because you don't have as many volunteers as you used to.

As chief, I run red - but usually only if I'm going to the scene. Regardless of how some folks feel about chief's driving apparatus, I'd rather be driving the pumper than sitting on the scene wondering when it will arrive... And I only live a couple of blocks from the station.

Any more, when people see a blue light coming, they'll usually give way. OTOH, I've had people ignore my red lights and siren when they were firmly mounted on a very large fire truck...

True. I value being in the dept, so I keep my ducks in a row. I live close to the chief, usually end up right behind him heading to calls.

Our chief usually responds to scene, for the same reason most of us do. Its quicker to let the guys close by the station grab the trucks. Hes brought trucks as well though. I see no problem with the chief working like the rest of us.

Yea, people are pretty good at yielding for red lights here. If they werent, I wouldnt run them.

[tree68]

Or just punish those who act like idiots...

Adrenaline is a funny thing...

Here in NY, you don't see as many blue lights as you used to - of course that could be in large part because you don't have as many volunteers as you used to.

As chief, I run red - but usually only if I'm going to the scene. Regardless of how some folks feel about chief's driving apparatus, I'd rather be driving the pumper than sitting on the scene wondering when it will arrive... And I only live a couple of blocks from the station.

Any more, when people see a blue light coming, they'll usually give way. OTOH, I've had people ignore my red lights and siren when they were firmly mounted on a very large fire truck...

[JSJJ388]

Just today I almost got T-Boned at an intersection in Bucks County Pa by a volly running a red light. I have said it before, I am saying it again.....Pa would be doing everyone a favor if they just made blue lights illegal.

Or just punish those who act like idiots...

[FWDbuff]

Just today I almost got T-Boned at an intersection in Bucks County Pa by a volly running a red light. I have said it before, I am saying it again.....Pa would be doing everyone a favor if they just made blue lights illegal.

[NuangolaVFD1646]

There was a big crackdown out near Pittsburgh a few years ago, where PSP was writing volunteers for interior lights.

You could look at Honolulu PD, they allow officers to use their own cars on duty. They have a strap rig that holds the light to the roof, then easily removed.

The interesting thing is that interior lights are not illegal as long as you can find a way to have 360 degree visibility.
Thanks for your info on Honolulu. I looked at it, but don't think it'll work for me because I have roof racks on my car.

[PhillyRube]

Nope. But I think I found the full time jackass!

No, I'm retired now. ***hole fits me better.

[JSJJ388]

Ok, you're a hobby firefighter?

Nope. But I think I found the full time jackass!

[PhillyRube]

Thats unrealistic here. Our trucks hold two people. And unless you pay me, Im not sitting at the station for a "shift" regularly. We do that only when we are in "storm mode". Yet, we still manage to get 3-4 trucks en route in three minutes. Everyone but the ones grabbing trucks go to scene.

And that is the exact reason we run lights. In NC, you are allowed to go over the limit and pass as long as you use "due regard". In other words, dont be an idiot. They are also very strict on not being an idiot. If you get caught being stupid at the very least you lose the ability to run lights, and could be booted.

Ok, you're a hobby firefighter?

[RRomeo14]

We are fortunate to have enough volunteers that can respond quickly during the day. I say enough, but I mean the bare minimum usually. Our deputy chief actually works right next door to the station, so he's there. Myself and two others work 1/2 mile away, and there's another guy that works for the town, so he's usually close by.
Now, I use my red and white lights mostly at night, because I live at the other end of our road from one guy and the station is in the middle so we can see each other responding. I see flashing lights, I know it's Barry, so I don't need to call for a driver.