Purpose

• To specify what warning lights volunteer first responders may use in their personal or privately owned vehicles when responding to emergency calls.
• To amend state law so certain volunteers can equip their vehicles with red or red-and-white warning lights under a permit process, and to clarify when and where such lights may be used.

Main Provisions

• Red lamp permit for volunteer emergency responders (Section 1)

  • The commissioner of public safety may issue a permit to active members of volunteer fire departments, emergency medical responders, or ambulance crew members.
  • Permit allows the vehicle to be equipped with a lamp that emits a flashing or steady-burning red or red-and-white warning light, mounted on the front of the vehicle.
  • Lamp specifications: lens no more than 3 inches in diameter; lamp only on when responding to an emergency call.
  • Permit eligibility requires certification from the chief of the volunteer fire department.
  • The commissioner must be notified if the volunteer leaves the department or stops operations.

• Volunteer ambulance driver permit (Section 2)

  • The commissioner may issue a permit to a certificated volunteer ambulance driver.
  • Permit allows the driver to equip a privately owned vehicle with a red or red-and-white warning light at the front of the vehicle.
  • Lamp must meet specifications adopted by the commissioner and be lit only when the driver is proceeding to the location of an ambulance in response to an emergency call.
  • The application must verify the driver’s status as a certificated volunteer ambulance driver.
  • The permit expires if the driver’s volunteer employment ends.

• Flashing lights rules for volunteers (Section 3)

  • Flashing lights are generally prohibited, with listed exceptions (including authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, road maintenance, tow trucks, service vehicles, farm equipment, rural mail carrier vehicles, funeral home vehicles).
  • A vehicle operated by a volunteer emergency responder or a volunteer ambulance driver may have flashing lights as described in the bill, under the specified sections.
  • All flashing warning lights must be of the type authorized by the relevant statute, unless otherwise permitted.
  • Stop lamps or signal lamps may not project glaring or dazzling light, with limited exceptions (e.g., strobes in certain contexts or school buses with additional warning systems).

How it changes the law

• Creates a formal permit system for red or red-and-white warning lights on personal or privately owned vehicles used by volunteer emergency responders and volunteer ambulance drivers.
• Establishes specific lamp size (lens no more than 3 inches) and timing (only while responding to emergencies).
• Adds explicit controls and verification requirements (certification, department chief approval, and termination notifications).
• Clarifies where flashing or warning lights are permitted, with broad exceptions for certain vehicle types, while maintaining general prohibitions on flashing lights outside those contexts.

Who is affected

• Active members of volunteer fire departments.
• Emergency medical responders and ambulance crew members who operate in a volunteer capacity.
• Certificated volunteer ambulance drivers who use privately owned vehicles during emergency responses.
• Agencies and chiefs overseeing volunteer first-responder programs.

Key safety and operational notes

• Lights are to be used only when responding to emergencies, reducing potential confusion or misuse.
• Permits are tied to ongoing volunteer status; termination ends the authorization.
• The commissioner of public safety oversees permit issuance and lamp specifications.

Implementation considerations

• Implementation relies on the commissioner’s adoption of lamp specifications and permit processes.
• Departments must ensure members are properly certified and that notifications are made when membership or operations cease.

Relevant Terms - red lamp permit - red and white warning light - flashing light - steady-burning light - volunteer emergency responder - volunteer fire department - emergency medical first responder - ambulance crew member - volunteer ambulance driver - commissioner of public safety - privately owned motor vehicle - front of the vehicle - emergency call - certification - termination notification - authorized emergency vehicle - flashing lights prohibition - school bus - road maintenance equipment - tow truck - service vehicle - farm tractor/equipment - rural mail carrier vehicle - funeral home vehicle - 169.58, 169.64 (statutory sections referenced)