Blue or Red Lights?

What do these flashings lights mean?

July 31, 2011

In the State of Pennsylvania (laws are different in other states) members of any volunteer fire department run "BLUE" lights on their vehicles. This is the most common and designates anyone in that vehicle running that light is a member of a volunteer fire department. This is a courtesy light and it means that we are asking permission for the right of way on the road. It identifies a firefighter or emergency medical personnel responding to a call for service. These lights are to be used to respond to an emergency or as a marker to show that there is an emergency in the area.

“RED” lights are normally run by Fire Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Ambulance Captains, Fire Police Captains, Fire Police Lieutenants or Water Rescue Captains. When red lights are displayed on a vehicle they are to also have a siren on them as well. On average when you see these lights activated on a vehicle these members are responding to the scene of an emergency.

We ask that should you see blue or red flashing lights that you please yield and allow us the right of way so we may be able to respond to the emergency that is occurring in our / your community.

SAFETY TIPS – When traveling throughout Pennsylvania and you see these lights or road flares please SLOW DOWN, use caution when approaching the emergency area for changes in traffic patterns and emergency personnel directing traffic. Please do not stop to get a glimpse of the incident as this may cause a traffic accident.