With the holiday season approaching, it’s important for people to know that the green lights on the vehicles of volunteer firefighters aren’t just for show.
“If you see a flashing green light, that is a volunteer firefighter who is actually responding to a call,” said Donna Noble, training captain and instructor at the West District Department and Ponoka County protctive services coordinator.
Some of the green lights are on display on the lower dash, while most are at eye level on the windshield.
The light acts as a courtesy for drivers in front to slow down and pull over if safe to do so, and let the vehicle by.
“It comes with an educational component. If you do see a green flashing light on a vehicle, it is a volunteer firefighter responding to a call. They all have to sign a waiver when they get their light, agreeing to drive with care, with due intention, because it stands out,” said Noble.
She added that some volunteers drive with the light on and some don’t.
Throughout the province, a good portion of volunteer firefighters drive with green lights.
Noble said both the east and west district fire departments have them.
“The old original Ponoka Fire Department ran with them years ago. It’s something that is out there for the volunteer departments to implement and to say, ‘here we are,’” she said, adding that other provinces across Canada have also implemented the green lights on vehicles.
The lights are on year-round, but on the odd occasion, some volunteers responding to an emergency will be stuck behind someone as you can’t break rules and go around them.
Unlike sirens, there is no sound associated with the green lights. They also don’t provide volunteer firefighters with special privileges on the roadways, and drivers with the lights must still stop at stop signs and not go around other vehicles.
It’s important to remember that every second counts in an emergency situation, and by pulling over safely when a green-lighted vehicle appears behind you, it’s ensuring the volunteer firefighters get to their stop quickly.