(2) The municipal officers or a municipal official designated by the municipal officers, with the approval of the fire chief, may authorize an active member of a municipal or volunteer fire department to use a flashing red signal light not more than 5 inches in diameter siren and any combination of flashing red, white and amber lights on a vehicle. The light lights and siren may be displayed but may be used only while the member is en route to or at the scene of a fire or other emergency. The light must be mounted as near as practicable above the registration plate on the front of the vehicle or on the dashboard. The lights may be mounted on the roof, rear deck, front grille or dashboard of the vehicle. A light mounted on the dashboard must be shielded so that the emitted light does not interfere with the operator's vision.

(3) Members of an emergency medical service licensed by Maine Emergency Medical Services may display and use on a vehicle a flashing red signal light of the same proportion the lights and siren, in the same location and under the same conditions as those permitted municipal and volunteer firefighters, when authorized by the chief official of the emergency medical service.

Sec. 5. 29-A MRSA §2054, sub-§9 is enacted to read:

9.__Use of lights or sirens; requirements; revocation.__Active members of a municipal or volunteer fire department or an emergency medical service as listed under subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraphs (19) and (20) must meet the following requirements:

A.__Be at least 21 years of age;

B.__Have completed 3 years of active service in a municipal or volunteer fire department or an emergency medical service; and

C.__Have completed a state-certified emergency vehicle operators or emergency ambulance operators course prior to exercising the privilege of using a light and siren.

The privilege of using a light or siren may be revoked at any time for misconduct by a municipal officer or a municipal official designated by the municipal officers, with the approval of the fire chief or the chief official of the emergency medical service.

SUMMARY

This bill permits municipal and volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel to use a siren and flashing red, white and amber lights on a personal vehicle while en route to or at the scene of a fire or other emergency. It also provides that such vehicles are covered by the rules of operation applying to authorized emergency vehicles. The bill also adds requirements that must be met before a person may use a siren and flashing light on a personal vehicle.