[ladder403]

ok im a tech in nyc and i know that emt's in the city are allowed to have red lights and sirens in their cars no questions asked, but everyone i ask about it they say its all over nys that its permitted, how does hazolah get to use red lights and sirens out of nyc? can someone please clear this up and let me know if it is true that its statewide and not just in the city? also can someone provide official material backing this?

[emsdude]

Authorizing Private Vehicles as EASV's (Use of Red Lights & Sirens)

that should answer it for you

[LADDER 3]

With all the blue lights you have on your van, your going to add red ??? And you call me a savage !!!!!! Haha

[pwfire]

emsdude beat me to it


I think that's how Hatzolah gets away with it

[ladder403]

yeah but a lot of the techs i know in the city dont have their pov's 800'ed and dont have any cards and the cops dont say anything or question anything

i just emailed NCPD to find out for sure what this shit is all about so within a few days we should all know hahaha

[pwfire]

Section 375 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Laws

Section 375. Equipment.
26. A gong or siren whistle shall not be used on any vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle. This shall not be construed to apply to a gong or siren designed and used solely as a burglar alarm on a vehicle.

41. Colored and flashing lights. The provisions of this subdivision shall govern the affixing and display of lights on vehicles, other than those lights required by law.

1. No light, other than a white light, and no revolving rotating, flashing, oscillating or constantly moving white shall be affixed to, or displayed on any vehicle except as prescribed herein.

2. Red lights and certain white lights. One or more red or combination red and white lights or
white light which must be revolving, rotating, flashing or oscillating or constantly moving light, may be affixed to an authorized emergency vehicle, and such lights may be displayed on an authorized emergency vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in an emergency operation, and upon a fire vehicle while returning from an alarm of fire or other emergency.

4. Blue Light. One blue light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a volunteer member of a fire department or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family residing in the same household or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he is employed, provided such volunteer fireman has been authorized in writing to so affix a blue light by the chief of the fire department or company of which he is a member, which authorization shall be subject to revocation at any time by the chief who issued the same or his successor in office. Such blue light may be displayed by such volunteer fireman on such a vehicle only when engaged in an emergency operation.

5. Green Light. One green light may be affixed to any motor vehicle owned by a member of a
volunteer ambulance service, or on a motor vehicle owned by a member of such person's family, or by a business enterprise in which such person has a proprietary interest or by which he is employed, provided such member has been authorized in writing to so affix a green light by the chief officer of such service as designated by the members thereof. Such green light may be displayed by such member of a volunteer ambulance service only when engaged in an emergency operation.



As used in this paragraph volunteer ambulance service means:
a. a non-profit membership corporation (other than a fire corporation) incorporated under or
subject to the provisions of the membership corporations law, or any other law, operating its
ambulance or ambulances on a non-profit basis for the convenience of the members thereof
and their families or of the community or under contract with a county, city, town or village
pursuant to section one hundred twenty-two-b of the general municipal law: or

b. an unincorporated association of persons operating its ambulance or ambulances on a
non-profit basis for the convenience of the members and their families or of the community.

[kye994]

FOR THOSE OF YOU TOO LAZY TO CLICK THE LINK, HERE ARE THE HIGHILGHTS:



Authorization as an EASV involves more than just the use of red lights and a siren on a vehicle.



All vehicles authorized by the service as EASVs may be subject to inspection. In the event violations to the code are found, the violations will be charged against the service authorizing the vehicle.

Legal Basis for Use of Red Lights and Sirens in Private Vehicles
The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, Section 115-c states:
"An emergency ambulance service vehicle shall be defined as an appropriately equipped motor vehicle owned or operated by an ambulance service as defined in section three thousand one of the public health law and used for purposes of transporting emergency medical personnel and equipment to sick and injured persons."

The Attorney General has issued an opinion (dated May 4, 1995) interpreting this section of the law as follows:
"…'owned or operated by' includes an appropriately equipped privately-owned vehicle operated by an agent of an ambulance service and used in transporting emergency medical personnel and equipment to sick and injured persons."

The Counsel to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles previously rendered an opinion that states;
"An emergency medical technician, whether a paid employee or a volunteer, performing duties for an ambulance service may equip his private vehicle with red lights and sirens and may use these red lights and sirens, in accordance with the above quoted section 115-c, to arrive at the scene of an emergency faster."

Authorization
An ambulance service shall issue written authorization using the Emergency Vehicle Authorization Card (DOH-4136). The authorization card shall be signed by both the Chief Executive Officer of the service and the EMT to whom it is issued. A copy of the authorization card and a record of it being issued shall be maintained by the service.

[uselesskomish]

You will notice that the Hatzolah cars have NYS DOH stickers on their cars. FD and VolleyEMS can do the same thing if they wish.

[pwfire]

Originally Posted by uselesskomish

You will notice that the Hatzolah cars have NYS DOH stickers on their cars. FD and VolleyEMS can do the same thing if they wish.

Key words are if they wish. But, how many chiefs are going to be willing to take on the added responsibility of equipping all members private vehicles for part 800 requirements and training said members in emergency vehicle ops, just so that member can be a super whacker?

Some depts. have members that shouldn't even have Blue Lights let alone red lights AND sirens

[underthedome]

Don't be that guy.

[Chazman1117]

[eastend562]

many fire depts do have flycars which arent personal vehicles but most members can use it for day or tour however your dept has it setup. i agree that we probably dont need every member who is emt with red lights and sirens because it could create additional problems with poor drivers not evoc trained.

[PDDISP12]

it must do wonders for your insurance when you have an accident with your lights and siren on.

[LIFDNY2525]

Stop opening cans of worms and just live with what we got and be happy!!!!

[pwfire]

I found this and had to share


"What is a Whacker or Wannabe?" on Policeposers.com

[ResQ80]

Originally Posted by kye994

Authorization
An ambulance service shall issue written authorization using the Emergency Vehicle Authorization Card (DOH-4136). The authorization card shall be signed by both the Chief Executive Officer of the service and the EMT to whom it is issued. A copy of the authorization card and a record of it being issued shall be maintained by the service.

where can you find the DOH-4136 form?