In the state of Alabama Volunteer Firefighters can NOT run lights and sirens in their P.O.V. (personnel vehicle).

Problem
Volunteer firefighters often respond to emergencies from their home, running errands, or their places of business. We are not allowed to use lights (Red) on our personally owned vehicle. This hinders response time to critical calls ( medical as well as structure fires or motor vehicle accidents)

Solution
I, as well as others believe that volunteers shall be able to equip their POV with red lights and sirens. They will only be permitted to be used in the event of responding to an emergency incident.

Personal story
As a volunteer firefighter, I often find it difficult to get to the station while responding to an emergency due to traffic lights and drivers who don't want to yeild. There are a lot of times I am caught by a stop light that takes a while to change. The use of lights and a siren on a POV would allow quicker response times. in an emergency response would be the most helpful. With due regard to public safety in mind at all times. Many communities in alabama solely rely on volunteer departments with your help we can increase response time to help save lives. Also in order to operate lights and sirens on a pov each person would have to certified to operate an emergency vehicle and always always ALWAYS HAVE DUE REGAURD TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN ANY AND ALL SITUATIONS.

I am a volunteer and I find this issue is something that everyone should take notice of. In an emergency response of volunteers seconds could be the difference between life and death. Our current laws hinder response times significantly.