§ 31-23-11.1 - Warning lights on private vehicles. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 31-23-11.1

   § 31-23-11.1  Warning lights on privatevehicles. – (a) A joint committee for volunteer permits, three (3) of whom shall beappointed by the president of the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs andtwo (2) of whom shall be appointed by the president of the Rhode IslandAssociation of Police Chiefs, shall take responsibility for the followingactions regarding warning lights on privately owned vehicles:

   (1) Develop procedures for the design, issuance, transfer andrevocation of permit stickers;

   (2) Develop rules and regulations for the use of warninglights;

   (3) Develop minimum training standards for drivers;

   (4) Develop procedures to govern the board's activities.

   (b) The fire chief or commander of a municipal or non-profitfire, rescue, or ambulance department shall take responsibility for thefollowing actions regarding warning lights on privately owned vehicles:

   (1) Make application for permits to joint committee onvolunteer permits;

   (2) Maintain a listing of vehicle registrations and vehicleidentification numbers for which warning lights are issued;

   (3) Ensure that permits are removed from vehicles upontransfer of ownership;

   (4) Post in a conspicuous place at all times, standardoperating guidelines for the proper use of warning lights.

   (c) The chief or commander of any fire, rescue, or ambulancedepartment shall limit the use of warning lights to chief officers, deputychiefs, assistant chiefs, captains, or other members deemed necessary andappropriate by written justification to the joint committee on volunteerpermits.

   (d) The fire, rescue, or ambulance department must own anywarning lights issued by the fire chief or commander of the department.

   (e) Each authorized volunteer member of a fire, rescue, orambulance department must affix a permit sticker on any vehicle utilizingwarning lights in accordance with rules and regulations developed by the jointcommittee on volunteer permits. Authorized members shall only utilize thesewarning lights within their department jurisdiction as the members respond toan emergency or to provide protection while parked at the scene of an emergency.