News Release - County Implements Green Light Bylaw to Support On-Call Volunteer Firefighters

NEWS RELEASE

COUNTY IMPLEMENTS GREEN LIGHT BYLAW TO SUPPORT

 ON-CALL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

County of Minburn, Alberta - June 11, 2024 - The County of Minburn is pleased to announce the implementation of a new bylaw that will enhance the efficiency and safety of volunteer on-call firefighters responding to emergency calls. Effective immediately, volunteer on-call firefighters are permitted to install green lights issued by the County in their personal vehicles to signal when they are en route to a fire call.

The introduction of the green light bylaw is a significant step forward in supporting the dedicated volunteer firefighters who play a crucial role in protecting our community. The green lights will serve as a visual indicator to other drivers, allowing them to recognize and yield to firefighters who are responding to emergencies. This initiative aims to reduce response times and improve the overall effectiveness of fire services in the county.

"Our volunteer on-call firefighters are the backbone of our emergency response system, and their ability to reach fire scenes quickly can make a critical difference," said Pat Podoborozny, CAO, County of Minburn. "By allowing the use of green lights in their personal vehicles, we are providing them with an important tool to navigate traffic safely and efficiently."

The green lights are not intended to give firefighters the same legal rights as emergency vehicles, such as the ability to disobey traffic signals or exceed speed limits. However, they will help in alerting other road users to the presence of firefighters on urgent business, encouraging them to make way in a safe and controlled manner. All green lights will be issued by the County of Minburn to ensure their legitimacy.

The County of Minburn’s Director of Protective Services, expressed his support for the bylaw, stating, "This is a positive development for our fire services. The green light bylaw acknowledges the challenges faced by our on-call volunteers and offers a practical solution to help them respond more swiftly to fire emergencies."

Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new bylaw and understand the importance of yielding to vehicles displaying green lights. For more information on the green light bylaw, please visit the County of Minburn’s official website at https://minburncounty.ab.ca/p/bylaws 

For more information contact Mike Fundytus, Director of Protective Services at 780.632.2082 ext. 1104.