Green warning lights
William D. Beaty
I need help in getting information regarding warning light colors, especially green lights. Current Illinois law allows volunteers to use only blue lights on their personal vehicles. The red, blue, and white combinations are reserved for law enforcement, ambulances, rescue squads, and fire department-owned vehicles. Since green is not specifically addressed by the codes, it is not allowed. I have noticed several departments in the state are using green on their apparatus, though.
My goal is to get the vehicle code amended to allow for a combination of blue and green, or the current blue only, on volunteers` personal vehicles. I feel the green is sharper, is crisper, and has a more brilliant flash that drivers with any type of vision can more easily see and respond to. I don`t think that green only should be allowed because it can be used as a command post identifier on scenes, the public has a general recognition of the blue light, and it won`t be too much of a change for law enforcement to regulate.
I think the public would readily see the blue/green combo and respond accordingly. I have been experimenting with the combo since last fall and have had nothing but favorable feedback when the lights are illuminated. To reach my goal, I need information from the rest of the fire service about studies, if any states or departments have allowed the use of green, and other aspects. Contact me at P. O. Box 443, Divernon, IL 62530.
