The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is implementing a pilot project that will involve installing blue lights on several of its vehicles to increase safety, particularly in situations where crews are working on busy roadways. This initiative was suggested by a senior firefighter and supported by Ward 2 Coun. Jennifer Wyness. The project has received approval for a one-year trial period from the province. Research has shown that blue lights significantly improve visibility in low-light conditions and adverse weather. The blue lights will be installed on 11 engines and one rescue vehicle, with reporting protocols in place to track incidents involving collisions or near misses during the trial period.
The 12 vehicles selected by the CFD for the blue lights are ones that respond to a high volume of motor vehicle collisions in high-traffic areas, such as along Deerfoot Trail. The blue lights will only be activated when the fire engines are parked, and will be installed on both the front and rear of the vehicles to improve visibility and alert motorists to the presence of emergency responders on the road. Deputy Chief Pete Steenaerts emphasized that the safety of CFD personnel is a top priority, and the addition of blue lights to the fleet is an important measure to enhance their visibility and safety while on duty. This initiative follows similar protocols that have been recently introduced for tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles.
The goal of the blue lights pilot project is to assess the impact of the initiative on overall safety outcomes. Data will be collected on incidents involving collisions or near misses for the fire engines fitted with blue lights, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the blue lights in increasing visibility and safety for emergency responders. The CFD is committed to ensuring the safety of its personnel and continuously seeking ways to improve safety protocols and measures. The blue lights will be a proactive measure to enhance the safety of emergency responders while working in potentially hazardous environments on busy roadways.
Officials with the Calgary Fire Department are confident that the addition of blue lights to a select number of its vehicles will significantly enhance visibility and safety for emergency responders. The 11 engines and one rescue vehicle chosen for the blue lights are those that are most frequently dispatched to motor vehicle collisions in high-traffic areas. The decision to install blue lights on these vehicles follows evidence-based research demonstrating the benefits of blue lights in improving visibility in low-light conditions and adverse weather. The CFD is committed to evaluating the impact of this initiative on overall safety outcomes to ensure that it is effective in increasing safety for emergency responders.
The implementation of blue lights on Calgary Fire Department vehicles is part of a larger initiative to enhance safety for emergency responders while on duty. Similar protocols have been introduced for tow trucks and highway maintenance vehicles to improve visibility and safety on busy roadways. The blue lights will only be activated when the vehicles are parked, and will be installed on both the front and rear of the engines to maximize visibility. Deputy Chief Pete Steenaerts emphasized the importance of this measure in enhancing the safety of CFD personnel, highlighting the department’s dedication to prioritizing the safety of its members. The CFD will closely monitor and analyze data on incidents involving collisions or near misses during the trial period to assess the effectiveness of the blue lights in improving visibility and safety for emergency responders.
