Flashing green lights make a difference in firefighter responses

It may not seem like much, but pulling over for the guys with flashing green lights can make a world of difference to local firefighters.

In his report to council on June 18, Puslinch fire chief Steven Goode stated, “Unfortunately, the sounds of a siren and the sight of an approaching emergency vehicle with its red and white lights flashing is a familiar sight on our township roads.”

He said firefighters utilize the flashing green lights in their vehicles to get to the fire hall quickly and safely when responding to a call.

“We’re finding this is becoming somewhat of an issue – especially on Highway 6 and in the Morriston area … right up to Gordon Street.”

Goode noted there are signs posted throughout the township asking that motorists yield to the right or yield the right-of-way for vehicles using the flashing green lights.

“It is not a legal obligation under the Highway Traffic Act, it is more of a courtesy thing to allow the firefighters to get to the fire hall or emergency as quickly as possible.”

Goode stated that in 1990 the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), was amended to allow the use of flashing green lights by volunteer firefighters responding to an emergency call.

The purpose of the green light is to help other drivers recognize a firefighter is en-route to an emergency and to be courteous and yield the right-of-way.

Vehicles with flashing green lights do not have any special privileges and drivers must adhere to all the rules of the HTA.

The use of the light is controlled by the fire chief and each firefighter using the green light understands the privilege and the purpose of the light. Sometimes a motorist does not understand the significance of the lights and may react with unplanned or unpredictable actions.

Firefighters must continually assess and adjust their driving speed to the posted speed limit, traffic conditions, road conditions and the urgency of the response.

Their goal is to arrive safely but as quickly as possible to the emergency scene.

“Seconds count in a fire or rescue situation. When we receive a call our personnel may be at their regular job, with their families, cooking dinner or quite often sound asleep in the middle of the night. They will immediately drop what they are doing and respond to the fire hall to drive the fire trucks to the emergency scene.”

Goode stressed that Puslinch Volunteer Firefighters are committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of area residents and the public through the preservation of life, property and the environment.

Goode added “Please yield the right-of-way. We could be responding to your house.”

Councillor Susan Fielding agreed that while it was good to promote the issue locally, a lot of the township traffic is commuter volume.

Goode said sometimes people do get upset about the speeding vehicles until the realization hits, that the drivers are firefighters trying to reach the fire hall to respond to an emergency.

Comments