Bill
Bill > A5722
NJ A5722
NJ A5722Authorizes certain county fire coordinators to display emergency warning lights on vehicles.
summary
Introduced
05/22/2025
05/22/2025
In Committee
05/22/2025
05/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill authorizes county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2003, c.28 (C.52:14E-13), to operate and display emergency warning lights, including red emergency warning lights and sirens. Under current law, blue emergency warning lights may be operated by a member of a volunteer fire company or a volunteer first aid or rescue squad or by a member of a county or municipal volunteer office of emergency management whose official duties include responding to a fire or emergency call, provided the company or volunteer is recognized by and rendering service in a county or municipality. Red emergency warning lights may be operated by a chief or first assistant chief of a volunteer fire company. This bill authorizes county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators to operate these emergency warning lights if certain conditions are met. In order for a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator to mount and operate an emergency warning light, regardless of its color, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to prepare suitable identification cards bearing the chief administrator's signature upon the request of a county executive or director of a board of county commissioners recognizing and being served by a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator. The identification cards would be countersigned and issued by the county executive or board director to the county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator. No emergency warning lights could be mounted prior to the issuance of the identification cards, and a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator would need to carry the identification card while an emergency warning light operates on the vehicle. These identification requirements are identical to those imposed under existing law for other authorized drivers operating emergency warning lights. Nothing in current law or this bill grants a county fire coordinator or deputy county fire coordinator any privileges or exemptions denied to the drivers of other vehicles, and the driver operating emergency warning lights is to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and obey all State traffic laws.
AI Summary
This bill expands the existing New Jersey state law to allow county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators to display emergency warning lights on their vehicles, similar to the current permissions granted to volunteer firefighters and emergency management personnel. Specifically, the bill amends several sections of existing law to include county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators in the list of individuals who can mount and operate emergency warning lights. To do this, the bill requires the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to prepare special identification cards, which must be requested by a county executive or board of county commissioners, countersigned, and issued to the county fire coordinators. These identification cards serve as permits to mount and operate emergency warning lights, with the caveat that the lights cannot be mounted before receiving the card, and the coordinator must carry the card while the lights are in use. The bill emphasizes that these coordinators do not receive any special driving privileges and must still obey all traffic laws and drive with consideration for the safety of others. This change aims to provide county fire coordinators with the same emergency signaling capabilities as other emergency service volunteers.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 05/22/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5722 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5722_I1.HTM |
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