Mira Road Vol. Fire Department
(POV) Personal Owen Vehicle, SOP
COURTESY/GREEN LIGHT USE
1. A Firefighter will only be granted a Green Light Permit after belonging to the Department for a period of one year.
2. No Junior Firefighter will be granted a Green Light Permit.
3. All Firefighters before granted a Green Light Permit must attend a Driver Training Program.
4. Reckless driving will not be permitted under any circumstances.
5. Under no circumstances will Four Way Flashers be used while responding to an alarm.
6. POV’s shall not exceed the posted speed limit.
7. When a responding POV encounters a stop sign, a complete stop shall be made and continue only after all other vehicles have yielded the right of way.
8. When a responding POV encounters a red traffic light, a complete stop shall be made. The POV may continue only after the light has changed to green and all other vehicles have yielded the right of way.
9. POV’s shall always drive as the conditions (road/weather) permit and use DUE REGARD.
10. Under no circumstance will a POV pass a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and stop sign extended. The POV will not pass until the stop sign is retracted and the bus driver signals you around.
11. Upon arrival at the emergency scene, all POV’s shall park at least 200 feet away and shall not interfere with the normal flow of traffic or emergency vehicles.
12. If hazardous materials are involved in the incident the POV is responding to, the POV shall park at least 500 feet away and shall in no way inhibit emergency vehicles on the scene or entering the scene.
13. When responding to an emergency the POV shall remain at least 500 feet behind, and shall NEVER pass a responding apparatus.
14. POV’s shall not be used to block traffic at intersections for emergency vehicles or other POV’s.
15. The Green Light does not give you the right of way; it is only a request for right of way.
16. When any member responds to the station or to the scene of an emergency in his/her private vehicle, each member must strictly adhere to all applicable Motor VehicleLaws. Privately owned vehicles are not provided with the same exemptions that are provided to emergency vehicles. No member of the organization will be permitted to violate any Motor Vehicle Laws, including but not limited to;
- Speed limits
- Going through traffic control devices
- Passing in an unsafe manner
17. While it is recognized that timeliness in response to an emergency is important, it is imperative that all drivers understand that their private vehicles are not emergency vehicles and therefore are notafforded any exemptions or special privileges under theNova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.
18.When responding to a call in a non-emergency response mode the vehicle will be operated without any visual warning device (Green Light) and in compliance with the Nova ScotiaMotor Vehicle Laws that apply to civilian traffic.
19. Any driver observed breaking any Motor VehicleLaws or operating any vehicle in an aggressive or unsafe manner will be subject to disciplinary action including, suspension, loss of driving privileges, withdrawal of Courtesy Light Permit up to dismissal from the Department.
20. Drivers must wear a seatbelt at all times while operating the vehicle.
21. Authorized drivers may use a (GREEN) Courtesy Warning Light on their Privately Owned Vehicle to request the right-of-way when responding to emergency incidents. The use of a Courtesy/Warning light does not provide any special privileges or exemptions to Motor VehicleLaws. Other drivers are not required to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that has a Green Courtesy Light in operation. The only purpose of the GreenCourtesyLight is to request that other drivers yield the right-of-way; the POV driver is required to comply with all Motor VehicleLaws.
22. The Department will revoke the authorization to use a Warning/Courtesy Light if a member fails to comply with all of the Department requirements.
23. No Firefighter shall be granted a Green Light Permit without proof of a valid Nova Scotia Driver License, Insurance Policy and Safety Inspection Sticker.
24. Only the Chief or appointed Officer will be allowed to grant a Green Light Permit.
25. The Green Light Permit will only be granted for a Vehicle Registered in the Firefighters name.
26. The Green Light must be removed from the vehicle if the Firefighter is not the Driver of the Vehicle.
Example: If a spouse or your children are driving the vehicle the Green Light must be removed from the Vehicle. Not put in the back seat or trunk, REMOVED.
Remember, always drive defensively! Our job is to respond to emergencies and control them, not create them.