Bill
Bill > S4609
NJ S4609
NJ S4609Authorizes certain county fire coordinators to display emergency warning lights on vehicles.
summary
Introduced
06/19/2025
06/19/2025
In Committee
06/19/2025
06/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
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 authorizes county fire coordinators and deputy county fire coordinators to display emergency warning lights on their vehicles, similar to existing rights held by volunteer firefighters and emergency management personnel. Specifically, the bill allows these county-level fire officials to mount and operate emergency warning lights and sirens on their personal vehicles, provided they obtain official identification cards from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. The identification cards must be requested by the county executive and must be carried by the fire coordinator while the emergency lights are in use. The bill emphasizes that these officials do not receive special driving privileges and must still follow all traffic laws and drive with regard for public safety. Other key provisions include specifying how and where red emergency lights can be mounted (no more than two lights, positioned in specific locations on the vehicle), and requiring that the lights only be used when responding to a fire or emergency call. The changes bring county fire coordinators in line with existing provisions for volunteer fire company chiefs and first assistants, ensuring consistent treatment of emergency response personnel across different levels of local government.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 06/19/2025)
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/S4609 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S5000/4609_I1.HTM |
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