Personal vehicle lighting

[WuLabsWuTecH]

The way our department works is that those people who have lights and sirens on their car can have them, and are covered by the department's insurance when using them. The chief has to approve each member to use them and only if he trusts you to use them judiciously an with "due regard" will he approve that member to use them. After that, a LT who is trained checks your vehicle out every 6 months to make sure that everything is functioning (brakes, lights, battery load, turn signals, emergency lights, emergency siren, etc.)

It's a very rural area and most of the guys only use it when approaching a tractor or when they get into the village where the firehouse is. Otherwise, they are not getting there any faster by going lights and sirens when there is no one else around on the country roads.

I personally choose not to have them because A) I don't want to pay for it and B) I don't see a need. If I get into town and catch the lights wrong, I park my car in a fire lane next to the red light, put on a yellow vest, and proceed to walk/jog to the station for the 2 blocks I am away. Everyone in town knows our yellow vests and yields to us when we're on foot; at night, there is no one around anyway; and my car is parked in a fire lane, but since I'm on the department we're not going to be using that anytime soon anyway!

Plus it's good exercise

[VirginiaEMT]

Originally Posted by Miscusi

such an interesting topic, I think that lights on personal vehicles are a great idea for those responders who are constantly "on call" in some small town or less populated area who might be summoned in the middle of the night to respond to a MCI where there are a very limited amount of qualified responders...

Much like how here in NY, MDs have special plates to allow parking almost anywhere.

but then, in places like that, there wouldnt be any large amount of traffic to deal with anyway so lights are not really that necessary.

I think in big cities, there is enough emergency staff working that no one else needs lights..

I agree. In the little town where I volunteer they help. I have used mine probably 2 times this year. On Sunday of this week I was sitting at our kitchen table and our tones dropped for a 5th call (5 within 3 minutes), HELP NEEDED. I live about 2.5 miles from the station so I turned on my strobe and proceeded to the station. In the sections of roads that are 2 lanes, most people will pull to the right to let you move on, or if you are sitting at a light and need to turn they will let you proceed first. I was able to get to the station a little quicker, grab an ambulance and meet the fire dept. on scene with a transport unit. I also respond to the scene if there is a driver at the station and they need an AIC, we will just meet on scene and then go back and get my car when we're done. I am also career staff at another EMS agency where I run at night and I never use my light for them because if I'm not on the clock I don't go because it's way too far and a flashing light would not help me get there quick enough to even be helpful.

[EMTHokie]

Where I volunteer the only person allowed to have lights and sirens in a POV is the current Fire Chief and the Fire Police (basically they show up and direct traffic, can only use Lights on scene). Chief can get them because they pretty much have to show up to every fire call even from home. Usually though they don't even bother and just race to the scene or fire house without them.

[VirginiaEMT]

Originally Posted by NVRob

What?

Just trying to make the point that if the agent has these designations, then he is well versed in insurance law, similar to a paramedic that continues learning and obtaining knowledge after they are licensed and adds ACLS, CCEMT-P, behind there name.

If an agent hasn't spent time in these classes, there is no way he/she knows insurance law to the extent they should. They teach very little when you take classes to prepare for testing for your license.

[VirginiaEMT]

Originally Posted by bigbaldguy

I hate looking up abbreviations. There's always a million possibilities you have to sift through.

CIC - Certified Insurance Counselor
CPCU- Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter
CLU- Chartered Life Underwriter
CRIS- Construction Risk Insurance Specialist

Each means that the agent has spent hours upon hours getting better at what they do.

[VirginiaEMT]

Originally Posted by ffemt8978

I don't think that is necessary or even appropriate for here, because it would be a regional and company issue (wouldn't want anyone to get in trouble for it).

I agree. Just to let you know, I called one of the carriers I represent, a HUGE carrier, and verified what I stated on the forum about coverage. I am correct, they WOULD NOT deny a claim if I am in my personal vehicle responding to a call with my strobe on. Like any other situation I must obey state and county laws. Even if I didn't they would still pay the claim but I know they would drop me like a bad habit after paying the claim, just like if I got caught drinking and driving. BASED ON VIRGINIA LAW!!

-UNLESS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED IN YOUR POLICY LANGUAGE, YOU HAVE A SIGNED AND VALID CONTRACT, AND YOU HAVE DONE YOUR PART BY PAYING YOUR PREMIUMS LIKE PROMISED ,THE INSURANCE CARRIER MUST PAY THE CLAIM-

[bigbaldguy]

Originally Posted by VirginiaEMT

CIC - Certified Insurance Counselor
CPCU- Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter
CLU- Chartered Life Underwriter
CRIS- Construction Risk Insurance Specialist

Each means that the agent has spent hours upon hours getting better at what they do.

Oh sure now you spell it out after I spent 30 minutes on wiki sifting through them.

hmmm "certified interim cadet" nah that can't be right. Uh "commander in chief" nope. Oh maybe it's "certified irrigation counselor" lol

http://www.acronymfinder.com/CIC.html