The Dauphin County Fire Police Association is composed of Fire Police Officers from various fire departments based in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
We have scheduled meetings to conduct business matters pertaining to our organization and to conduct training sessions pertaining to topics which enhance the safety of our members and other emergency responders, as well as the general public.
We proactively interact with local and state law enforcement agencys as well as other public safety agencies to foster a good working relationship prior to being called to work together at a scene of an emergency.
There are several functions that Fire Police are responsible to provide.
Traffic Control which is meant to maintain the flow of traffic around an emergency scene as well as to allow quick access to the scene for all emergency vehicles and personnel.
Security of property after a major fire or other suspicious activity.
Crowd Control at fairs, parades, and other various events.
You should be aware that Fire Police are Sworn Officers of the Local Government. Pennsylvania Law Title 75 sections 3327 and 3102 provide for fines for people who fail to obey Fire Police instructions or directions relating to traffic control. There are several other laws that provide Fire Police with their authority and Police powers.
1) You can only have no more than 2 (TWO) rotating blue lights (or LED's or strobes) with 360 degree visability mounted on the TOP of your vehicle
2) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have dash lights of any kind - EVER.
3) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have any white flashing or rotating lights as part of the package
4) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have corner or in-the headlight/taillight strobes/LED's/flashers
5) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to use their 4-way/hazard flashers while responding to an emergency
6) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have headlight flashers and/or wig-wags
And for those of you that think I'm wrong on any of these topics, READ YOUR BLUE LIGHT LAWS!
To settle the debate....
The following laws are taken directly, word for word, from the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. First is Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Vehicle Code, followed by definitions of some words used in the Code. The second part is taken from Title 67 (Transportation), Part I. (Department of Transportation), of the Vehicle Code, which is basically the D.O.T.'s regulations, in much more detail than Title 75.
75 Pa.C.S. § 4572. Visual signals on authorized vehicles.
(a) FLASHING OR REVOLVING BLUE LIGHTS.-- Ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters, certified volunteer search and rescue organization members and owners and handlers of dogs used in tracking humans may each equip one motor vehicle with no more than two flashing or revolving blue lights.
(1) In order to be eligible to display lights on their vehicles under this subsection, the names of the ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters and certified volunteer search and rescue organization members shall be submitted to the nearest station of the Pennsylvania State Police on a list signed by the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company, the head of the search and rescue organization, and each dog owner and handler shall register at the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station.
(2) The manner in which the lights are displayed and their intensity shall be determined by regulation of the department.
(3) The lights shall be operable by the driver from inside the vehicle.
(4) The lights may be used only while en route to or at the scene of a fire or emergency call.
(5) The lights shall be removed from the vehicle immediately upon receipt of notice from the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company or the head of the search and rescue organization to remove the lights upon termination of the person's status as a certified volunteer search and rescue organization member or dog owner or handler, or when the vehicle is no longer used in connection with the person's duties as a volunteer firefighter or ambulance person, certified volunteer search and rescue organization member or dog owner or handler.
(6) This subsection does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons nor exempt the driver from complying with all provisions of this title.
....(c) VEHICLES PROHIBITED FROM USING LIGHTS.--.....A person who equips or uses a vehicle with visual systems in violation of this subsection commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $ 100 nor more than $ 500.
§ 102. Definitions.
..... "AUTHORIZED VEHICLE" A vehicle or type of vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, for which special operating or equipment privileges are given by law or regulation of the department based on design and utility for work within a highway.
..... "DEPARTMENT." The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.
..... "
67 Pa. Code § 173.3. Display Requirements.
... (3) Blue lights. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 4572(a) (relating to visual signals on authorized vehicles), ambulance personnel, owners and handlers of dogs used in tracking humans, and volunteer firefighters may each equip one personal vehicle with no more than two flashing or revolving blue lights or one light-bar assembly containing no more than two blue lights. Only blue lights may be used on the light-bar assembly.
... (9) Hazard warning systems and turn signals. Hazard warning systems and turn signals are not considered flashing lights for the purpose of this chapter.
... (b) 360º visibility. When flashing or revolving red, blue, yellow or amber lights are mounted on a vehicle, one or more of these lights shall be mounted to provide visibility to vehicles approaching from any direction (360º visibility), regardless of the method of mounting. Emergency vehicles equipped with flashing or revolving red or blue lights mounted on or behind the grille are not exempt from this subsection.
(1) When only one light is used to provide 360º visibility, this light shall be in compliance with SAE Standard J845, 360º Emergency Warning Lamps, January 1984.
(2) When more than one light is used to produce 360º visibility, the number of lights used may not exceed those specified in 74 Pa.C.S. §§ 4571 and 4572.
... (c) Flash rate. The flash rate, when observed from a fixed position, shall be between 60 and 120 flashes per minute. When the flash rate is produced by the interruption of current, the period of illumination shall be long enough to permit the bulb to come to full brightness.
We proactively interact with local and state law enforcement agencys as well as other public safety agencies to foster a good working relationship prior to being called to work together at a scene of an emergency.
There are several functions that Fire Police are responsible to provide.
This includes but is not limited to:
Protection of all fire department or EMS equipment and personnel on an emergency scene.Traffic Control which is meant to maintain the flow of traffic around an emergency scene as well as to allow quick access to the scene for all emergency vehicles and personnel.
Security of property after a major fire or other suspicious activity.
Crowd Control at fairs, parades, and other various events.
You should be aware that Fire Police are Sworn Officers of the Local Government. Pennsylvania Law Title 75 sections 3327 and 3102 provide for fines for people who fail to obey Fire Police instructions or directions relating to traffic control. There are several other laws that provide Fire Police with their authority and Police powers.
Fire Police are there to provide safety to both the public and Fire Company personnel. When you see a Fire Police Officer please slow down, be alert, and pay attention to their instructions and directions. This will enhance the safety of all Personnel on an emergency scene.
Blue Light Information
1) You can only have no more than 2 (TWO) rotating blue lights (or LED's or strobes) with 360 degree visability mounted on the TOP of your vehicle
2) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have dash lights of any kind - EVER.
3) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have any white flashing or rotating lights as part of the package
4) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have corner or in-the headlight/taillight strobes/LED's/flashers
5) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to use their 4-way/hazard flashers while responding to an emergency
6) Blue lighters are NOT allowed to have headlight flashers and/or wig-wags
And for those of you that think I'm wrong on any of these topics, READ YOUR BLUE LIGHT LAWS!
To settle the debate....
The following laws are taken directly, word for word, from the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code. First is Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Vehicle Code, followed by definitions of some words used in the Code. The second part is taken from Title 67 (Transportation), Part I. (Department of Transportation), of the Vehicle Code, which is basically the D.O.T.'s regulations, in much more detail than Title 75.
75 Pa.C.S. § 4572. Visual signals on authorized vehicles.
(a) FLASHING OR REVOLVING BLUE LIGHTS.-- Ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters, certified volunteer search and rescue organization members and owners and handlers of dogs used in tracking humans may each equip one motor vehicle with no more than two flashing or revolving blue lights.
(1) In order to be eligible to display lights on their vehicles under this subsection, the names of the ambulance personnel, volunteer firefighters and certified volunteer search and rescue organization members shall be submitted to the nearest station of the Pennsylvania State Police on a list signed by the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company, the head of the search and rescue organization, and each dog owner and handler shall register at the nearest Pennsylvania State Police station.
(2) The manner in which the lights are displayed and their intensity shall be determined by regulation of the department.
(3) The lights shall be operable by the driver from inside the vehicle.
(4) The lights may be used only while en route to or at the scene of a fire or emergency call.
(5) The lights shall be removed from the vehicle immediately upon receipt of notice from the chief of the ambulance or fire department or company or the head of the search and rescue organization to remove the lights upon termination of the person's status as a certified volunteer search and rescue organization member or dog owner or handler, or when the vehicle is no longer used in connection with the person's duties as a volunteer firefighter or ambulance person, certified volunteer search and rescue organization member or dog owner or handler.
(6) This subsection does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons nor exempt the driver from complying with all provisions of this title.
....(c) VEHICLES PROHIBITED FROM USING LIGHTS.--.....A person who equips or uses a vehicle with visual systems in violation of this subsection commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $ 100 nor more than $ 500.
§ 102. Definitions.
..... "AUTHORIZED VEHICLE" A vehicle or type of vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, for which special operating or equipment privileges are given by law or regulation of the department based on design and utility for work within a highway.
..... "DEPARTMENT." The Department of Transportation of the Commonwealth.
..... "
67 Pa. Code § 173.3. Display Requirements.
... (3) Blue lights. Under 75 Pa.C.S. § 4572(a) (relating to visual signals on authorized vehicles), ambulance personnel, owners and handlers of dogs used in tracking humans, and volunteer firefighters may each equip one personal vehicle with no more than two flashing or revolving blue lights or one light-bar assembly containing no more than two blue lights. Only blue lights may be used on the light-bar assembly.
... (9) Hazard warning systems and turn signals. Hazard warning systems and turn signals are not considered flashing lights for the purpose of this chapter.
... (b) 360º visibility. When flashing or revolving red, blue, yellow or amber lights are mounted on a vehicle, one or more of these lights shall be mounted to provide visibility to vehicles approaching from any direction (360º visibility), regardless of the method of mounting. Emergency vehicles equipped with flashing or revolving red or blue lights mounted on or behind the grille are not exempt from this subsection.
(1) When only one light is used to provide 360º visibility, this light shall be in compliance with SAE Standard J845, 360º Emergency Warning Lamps, January 1984.
(2) When more than one light is used to produce 360º visibility, the number of lights used may not exceed those specified in 74 Pa.C.S. §§ 4571 and 4572.
... (c) Flash rate. The flash rate, when observed from a fixed position, shall be between 60 and 120 flashes per minute. When the flash rate is produced by the interruption of current, the period of illumination shall be long enough to permit the bulb to come to full brightness.
Page Updated 12/24/10