Green Lighting Use

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
After lots of pondering, I am curious what different states/areas use GREEN lighting for... Since its kind of a unique color...


So I will start.


Green Lighting- Ontario, Canada- Vollie Firefighters and some vollie EMS personnel. (oh yes, also used on stationary command posts..)

Highway Traffic Act said:
Green flashing light restricted


(16) The following persons may carry on or in his or her vehicle and operate a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of green light:


1. A firefighter, within the meaning of subsection 1 (1) of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, while proceeding to a fire or other emergency.


2. A prescribed class of volunteer medical responder, while driving a prescribed class or type of vehicle or engaging in a prescribed activity or in prescribed conditions or circumstances. 2007, c. 13, s. 17 (5).


Same


(16.1) No person other than a person described in subsection (16) shall operate a lamp that produces intermittent flashes of green light. 1994, c. 35, s. 1.
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statut ... htm#s62s16
 

Steve0625

Member
Jun 23, 2010
1,213
Northville NY
WTFD said:
Volunteer EMTs use green in Indiana to respond to calls.
As does New York State, but only for those squads not affiliated with a volunteer fire department.


§ 375 (41). Colored and flashing lights.


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 a 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.


http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/emer-vt.htm#sec375
 

iltmt

New Member
Jul 27, 2010
4
Milwaukee, WI
Green in Wisconsin is typically used to indicate a command post position (at least in SE WI). I know of no vehicles that use green for responding.
 

toon80

Member
May 24, 2010
2,487
Laval, Canada
Quebec, Canada:


Green is typically used for the firefighter's command post.


Regarding the vollies, it is still being discussed, but not regulated yet.
 

bobcoop06

Member
May 25, 2010
175
Indiana
WTFD said:
Volunteer EMTs use green in Indiana to respond to calls.

It's true, we do! :D

IC 9-19-14.5-1
Display of green lights on privately owned vehicles in line of duty


Sec. 1. A privately owned vehicle belonging to a certified paramedic, certified emergency medical technician-intermediate, certified emergency medical technician-basic advanced, certified emergency medical technician, certified emergency medical service driver, or certified emergency medical service first responder while traveling in the line of duty in connection with emergency medical services activities may display flashing or revolving green lights, subject to the following restrictions and conditions:


(1) The lights may not have a light source less than fifty (50) candlepower.


(2) All lights shall be placed on the top of the vehicle.


(3) Not more than two (2) green lights may be displayed on a vehicle and each light must be of the flashing or revolving type and visible at three hundred sixty (360) degrees.


(4) The lights must consist of a lamp with a green lens and not of an uncolored lens with a green bulb. However, the revolving lights may contain multiple bulbs.


(5) The green lights may not be a part of the regular head lamps displayed on the vehicle.


(6) For a person to be authorized under this chapter to display a flashing or revolving green light on the person's vehicle, the person must first secure a written permit from the executive director of the department of homeland security to use the light. The permit must be carried by the person when the light is displayed.


As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.66. Amended by P.L.205-2003, SEC.2; P.L.236-2003, SEC.3; P.L.97-2004, SEC.38; P.L.1-2006, SEC.162.


IC 9-19-14.5-2


Unlawful display of green lights; violations


Sec. 2. Except as provided in section 1 of this chapter, a person who displays on any public or private motor vehicle at any time flashing or revolving green lights of any size or shape commits a Class C infraction.


As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.66. Amended by P.L.236-2003, SEC.4.


IC 9-19-14.5-3


Operation of vehicle when green light not illuminated


Sec. 3. This chapter does not prohibit the operation of a vehicle lawfully equipped with a flashing or revolving green light from being operated as any other vehicle when the green light is not illuminated.


As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.66. Amended by P.L.236-2003, SEC.5.
 

dieselbear09

Member
Jul 19, 2010
26
Florida
Florida allowes security vehicles to use green and the fire department uses it to show a command post.


(3) Vehicles of the fire department and fire patrol, including vehicles of volunteer firefighters as permitted under s. 316.2398, vehicles of medical staff physicians or technicians of medical facilities licensed by the state as authorized under s. 316.2398, ambulances as authorized under this chapter, and buses and taxicabs as authorized under s. 316.2399 are permitted to show or display red lights. Vehicles of the fire department, fire patrol, police vehicles, and such ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal and county departments, public service corporations operated by private corporations, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Department of Corrections as are designated or authorized by their respective department or the chief of police of an incorporated city or any sheriff of any county are hereby authorized to operate emergency lights and sirens in an emergency. Wreckers, mosquito control fog and spray vehicles, and emergency vehicles of governmental departments or public service corporations may show or display amber lights when in actual operation or when a hazard exists provided they are not used going to and from the scene of operation or hazard without specific authorization of a law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency. Wreckers must use amber rotating or flashing lights while performing recoveries and loading on the roadside day or night, and may use such lights while towing a vehicle on wheel lifts, slings, or under reach if the operator of the wrecker deems such lights necessary. A flatbed, car carrier, or rollback may not use amber rotating or flashing lights when hauling a vehicle on the bed unless it creates a hazard to other motorists because of protruding objects. Further, escort vehicles may show or display amber lights when in the actual process of escorting overdimensioned equipment, material, or buildings as authorized by law. Vehicles owned or leased by private security agencies may show or display green and amber lights, with either color being no greater than 50 percent of the lights displayed, while the security personnel are engaged in security duties on private or public property.
 
J

jrw14493

Washington State Law


http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch ... 174434&p=1


RCW 46.37.185


Green light on firefighters' private cars.


Firefighters, when approved by the chief of their respective service, shall be authorized to use a green light on the front of their private cars when on emergency duty only. Such green light shall be visible for a distance of two hundred feet under normal atmospheric conditions and shall be of a type and mounting approved by the Washington state patrol. The use of the green light shall only be for the purpose of identification and the operator of a vehicle so equipped shall not be entitled to any of the privileges provided in RCW 46.61.035 for the operators of authorized emergency vehicles.


[2007 c 218 § 73; 1987 c 330 § 709; 1971 ex.s. c 92 § 3; 1961 c 12 § 46.37.185. Prior: 1953 c 161 § 2. Formerly RCW 46.40.230.]


NOTES:


Intent -- Finding -- 2007 c 218: See note following RCW 1.08.130.


Construction -- Application of rules -- Severability -- 1987 c 330: See notes following RCW 28B.12.050.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Doesn't really spell it out in Ohio law.... most command vehicles have them... but so do LOTS of security vehicles, wheather spotters, whack jobs and react people.
 

grfd711

Member
Jun 23, 2010
1,546
Sherwood, AR
In AR, green is being used by some OEM departments. My county has all green on their vehicles, as well as the two HAZMAT vehicles, since they're part of OEM. Here's a pic of the main vehicle, HAZMAT 1. The second vehicle, a former dump truck chassis pulling a beer truck body w/rollup doors, is a simple setup of an Edge bar. I donated some green Xteme 6s, but dunno if they made it on or not. Possibility that vehicle is gonna become a county USAR vehicle soon, though.


There's still some older state Forestry vehicles that have green domed Streethawks on them, but I think they're being phased out, as they were also green paint jobs and they've been white for several years. Also, ADEQ (Arkansas Dept of Environmental Quality) has green on their rides, as I remember seeing one on an 18 wheeler rollover sometime last year.
 

rsqemt911

Member
May 25, 2010
64
Naugatuck Ct
In Ct we use Green for Volunteer EMS POV's unless you are an EMS Chief and up to 2 designees (Asst. Chief, Cpt., ect.) then you are allowed Red/Siren
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
rsqemt911 said:
In Ct we use Green for Volunteer EMS POV's unless you are an EMS Chief and up to 2 designees (Asst. Chief, Cpt., ect.) then you are allowed Red/Siren


I've never understood the idea behind giving the chief the equipment to get there first....
 

colby4601

Member
May 23, 2010
64
Southeastern Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, green is used on any type of command vehicle. However, my question is, do people actually move out of the way for green lights on a busy highway, freeway or interstate?
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
colby4601 said:
In Saskatchewan, green is used on any type of command vehicle. However, my question is, do people actually move out of the way for green lights on a busy highway, freeway or interstate?
Sometimes in Ontario- The one place I have "issues" getting people to yield is in dense suburban areas- mostly the upper class ones where they won't even move over for the big RED trucks with red/white/Q siren wailing..


Other than that, most drivers once they notice, will yield for green.
 

TheGatekeeper

Member
Jun 19, 2010
1,734
France
Green is used in the UK for doctors, as a courtesy light.


First responders (ie: emergency doctors) do run blue in hi-perf German or Swedish stationwagons...
 

cutiger

Member
Jun 11, 2010
370
SC
Here its not used at all.
 

billfires

New Member
May 24, 2010
8
USA, MA
In Mass. green is generally used for command posts but all the MBTA buses and trollies have them front and rear also. I believe they are used to signal police if there is a problem with a passenger. I could not find the authorization for them to mount and/or use them. Bill C
 

nerdly_dood

Member
Jun 15, 2010
2,312
Georgia
Virginia:


§ 46.2-1025. Flashing amber, purple, or green warning lights.


D. Vehicles used by police, fire-fighting, or rescue personnel as command centers at the scene of incidents may be equipped with and use green warning lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. Such lights shall not be activated while the vehicle is operating upon the highway.
 

JohnMarcson

Administrator
May 7, 2010
10,971
Northwest Ohio
Don't forget the chicago light...
 

InstallDude

Member
May 24, 2010
66
United States/Texas
In Texas,as far as I have seen,it is used as a command light,and some volunteer fire units,mixed with red and white.In Austin,our street marking trucks use green and amber lights,while spill response has some purple and amber bars.
 

Maranos

Member
May 21, 2010
151
Pacific Northwest, USA
Green in Oregon is for a fire command post.


"(4) Fire department vehicles may show a flashing or revolving green light when operating as the command post in emergency incidents. "
 

MikeD

Member
Jul 3, 2010
135
Richmond, MI
Green is widely used for Command Posts here in Michigan, although not regulated by state statute. Some Security outfits are also using it in conjunction with amber..
 

Stendec

Member
May 21, 2010
816
I always thought it would be cool if land management LEOs like BLM, NPS Rangers and USFS LEOs ran just a small green marker or cruise light. Other than that, and maybe the IC identification thing, I'm not sure that they should be on EVs, as green means go to normal humans. I could understand their confusion if a fire truck had a green flasher alternating with a red flasher.


Really though, how hard is it to find the IC? Is it a problem when there are a bunch of similar-looking fire trucks at one scene?
 

07GD SFD

Member
May 21, 2010
545
VT
We have a simple green beacon in our utility truck but that's it AFAIK. The only time I've seen green used for IC was at a scene with multiple agencies from multiple towns, and the county's command vehicle was brought on scene equipped with green and amber lights.
 

TCO

Member
May 21, 2010
808
Malvern,Pa
other than being a icon for command arounf here,green iis one of those colors all the rice racer cars are using for the washer nozze lights and fuzzy dice,etc,basically green,clear,and purple are unregulated and can be used for the tuner cars,gotta love pepboys and the such
 

nerdly_dood

Member
Jun 15, 2010
2,312
Georgia
Stendec said:
I always thought it would be cool if land management LEOs like BLM, NPS Rangers and USFS LEOs ran just a small green marker or cruise light. Other than that, and maybe the IC identification thing, I'm not sure that they should be on EVs, as green means go to normal humans. I could understand their confusion if a fire truck had a green flasher alternating with a red flasher.

Really though, how hard is it to find the IC? Is it a problem when there are a bunch of similar-looking fire trucks at one scene?
If there are a lot of fire trucks with red lights, a green light stands out like a sore thumb. Not so much when there are blue lights, but still it's better than only using the same color as other vehicles.
 

tnems7

Member
May 21, 2010
407
USA Nashville Tennessee
In Tennessee, green was used as far back as the 1970s on security patrol vehicles. Since funeral procession escorts must use amber, you saw some combinations of green and amber on escort cars and motorcycles (and that use on escort motorcycles is contained in the statutes).


It has also ben recognized for fire department and EMA command posts, but those trailers and vehicles are usually self evident. Obion County and some rescue squads in west Tennessee used to use green and red light bars, but due to its similarity to blue lights, local law enforcement agencies asked the squads to go to red or red and white.
 

VolEms

Member
May 24, 2010
2,112
NY, USA
In NYS Volunteer EMS use green to respond to pick up an ambulance. You mainly see Green used in upstate NY. I dont know why NY doesnt copy NJ and give EMS blue like FD. I think Blue is a much better color. When I ran green ppl didnt have a clue what to do. I used to have clear corner strobes , and a headlight flasher what moved ppl . If I turned off my wig wags nobody would pull over for my green lights.
 
May 21, 2010
153
Calhoun, TN
tnems7 said:
In Tennessee, green was used as far back as the 1970s on security patrol vehicles. Since funeral procession escorts must use amber, you saw some combinations of green and amber on escort cars and motorcycles (and that use on escort motorcycles is contained in the statutes).

It has also ben recognized for fire department and EMA command posts, but those trailers and vehicles are usually self evident. Obion County and some rescue squads in west Tennessee used to use green and red light bars, but due to its similarity to blue lights, local law enforcement agencies asked the squads to go to red or red and white.

I also see green lightbars on those radio station vans to attract attention when they are set up outside of a club or big event around east Tennessee. It seems like Loudon County had some rescue trucks that ran green when I was a kid also.
 

6043ron

Member
Jun 3, 2010
48
USA/Pennsylvania
I was told that a green light displayed on the right side of fire apparatus was to pay tribute to the fallen firefighters.................true ?
 

unlisted

Lifetime VIP Donor
May 20, 2010
7,333
NA
up here a green light or two on a RED/white lit fire truck means its a vollie dept... (normally displayed on the right side/front of the vehicle)


Than there are command lights.. but thats not what you are talking about.
 

tnems7

Member
May 21, 2010
407
USA Nashville Tennessee
Green lights are displayed on the right side of Chicago Fire Department for historical purposes and to honor fallen firefighters. The old ELB archives should have that info, and moderators may be able to point you to the thread.


As pointed out in East Tennessee, a lot of places in the southeast U.S. use green lights simply because they are unregulated and blue is used by law enforcement.


In Chattanooga, news reporters used to used green tear drop lights and a windshield press pass issued by the Fire and Police Commissioner so they could park in the streets to cover fires,accidents, and other news events.
 

ffemt045

Member
May 24, 2010
198
belmont NY
A local dept has 1 green rotator on the back of their fire engine, supposed to turn it on when they are ready for water???? Only thing ive ever heard of a green light on a fd truck before. Same here in ny green for vollie ems.
 

Zach C.

Member
May 22, 2010
476
Southeast, USA
tnems7 said:
Green lights are displayed on the right side of Chicago Fire Department for historical purposes and to honor fallen firefighters. The old ELB archives should have that info, and moderators may be able to point you to the thread.

As pointed out in East Tennessee, a lot of places in the southeast U.S. use green lights simply because they are unregulated and blue is used by law enforcement.


In Chattanooga, news reporters used to used green tear drop lights and a windshield press pass issued by the Fire and Police Commissioner so they could park in the streets to cover fires,accidents, and other news events.


Yep as well as a few security companys in chattanooga use it.


Zach
 

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