Flashing Green Light in a vehicle operated by a firefighter
As of April 1, 2021, the Flashing Green Light Regulation is in force in Québec. The Regulation allows firefighters who use their personal vehicles to install a courtesy light to make it faster for them to get to the scene of an emergency. It follows the pilot project conducted by the Ministère de la Sécurité publique from 2015 to 2020.
Under the regulation, as of December 21, 2023, municipal authorities are responsible for managing authorizations and issuing certificates enabling firefighters in their fire department to use a flashing green light. In addition, all authorizations will be renewable on the same date instead of based on the firefighter’s birthday. The newly amended regulation also broadens the technical standards and method for the installation of a flashing green light. In addition to the previously accepted standard, flashing green lights that are compliant with the newly established SAE Standard J595 can also be used. The light no longer has to be removed when not in use and can stay in the vehicle.
Use of a Flashing Green Light
When called by a fire safety service, firefighters authorized to use a flashing green light may activate it when going to the fire station or the scene of an emergency. The flashing green light helps other road users identify firefighters and encourages them to behave with courtesy. When it is safe to do so and when the situation so requires, firefighters who have activated this light are authorized to drive on the shoulder and stop their vehicle in any location as long as it does not compromise the safety of other road users. However, vehicles equipped with a flashing green light are not considered emergency vehicles. Since certificates of authorization are associated with the holder, firefighters must have their certificate with them every time they activate the on-board flashing green light. As such, a flashing green light may be activated in a vehicle that is not registered in the firefighter’s name.
Compliance with the Highway Safety Code
Vehicles equipped with a flashing green light are not considered emergency vehicles. Although firefighters may drive on the shoulder and stop their vehicle in any location when the situation so requires, they must comply with the other provisions of the Code, such as speed limits and traffic signs and signals.
Firefighters who use a flashing green light outside of an emergency situation are liable to a fine of $200 to $300.
MUNICIPAL AUTHORIZATION
Municipal authorities can authorize firefighters in their fire safety service to use a flashing green light provided they meet all the criteria set out in the Regulation.
Eligibility Criteria
- The municipal authority in charge of the fire safety service which employs the firefighter has adopted a resolution providing for the use of the flashing green light by firefighters of that service. Each authority is free to adopt a resolution regarding the matter. Firefighters should contact fire safety service managers to find out whether such a resolution exists or their municipality’s intentions.
- The firefighter has completed the training at the École nationale des pompiers du Québec (ENPQ) on the rules for the use of a flashing green light and has sent their certificate of achievement to their fire safety service.
- The firefighter holds a valid driver’s licence and has not been the subject of a penalty under sections 180, 185 or 191.2 of the Code (chapter C-24.2) in the two years preceding their application for authorization to use a flashing green light. The firefighter will have to request a copy of their driving record from the SAAQ and submit it to their municipal authority.
- The firefighter’s record of employment demonstrates that the firefighter complies with the protocols and guidelines of their fire safety service.
PROCEDURE FOR AUTHORIZATION TO USE OF A FLASHING GREEN LIGHT OR FOR THE RENEWAL OF THIS AUTHORIZATION
After making sure that all eligibility criteria are met, the municipal authority can issue the firefighter a certificate of authorization using a standardized template .
The following information must be entered on the Gabarit – Certificat d’autorisation pour l’utilisation d’un feu vert clignotant (PDF, 129.2 KB) (in French only)
- the firefighter’s first and last name
- the firefighter’s driver’s licence number
- the name of the fire safety service of which the firefighter is a member
- the date of issue and expiry
- the unique certificate number
- either one of the following means of communication to verify the authorizations issued:
- a telephone number
- a link (simple) to a web page with a list of approved certificate numbers
Note that the authorization to use a flashing green light expires on a set date, which is September 15. The initial authorization is valid until September 15 of the year following the second year from the date on which it has been granted. For example:
- if an authorization is granted on February 1, 2024, it is valid until September 15, 2026
- if an authorization is granted on September 15, 2024 until September 14, 2025, it is valid until September 15, 2027
A renewed authorization is valid for 2 years. For example, an authorization expiring on September 15, 2027 is renewed until September 15, 2029.
The municipal authority must create the unique certificate number. The space available on the certificate template is 22 characters. Here are two examples of possible sequences:
- Certificate numbers issued could be sequential, for example 000 001 for the first firefighter to receive authorization.
- Certificate numbers can also be personalized in other ways. For example, it could include the first few letters in the firefighter’s last name and first name, their employee number and sequential numbers for each renewal.
The logo of the municipal authority or its fire safety service can be imported onto the certificate template.
At the time of certificate renewal, the expired certificate should be collected and destroyed to avoid any misuse of the certificate.
REVOCATION OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZATION
The certificate of authorization must be revoked by the municipal authority if:
- a resolution to discontinue the use of a flashing green light by firefighters has been adopted
- the firefighter is no longer a member of the fire safety service
- the firefighter’s employment record shows that the firefighter does not comply with the protocols and guidelines of the fire safety service
- the firefighter’s driver’s licence is no longer valid
RECORD KEEPING
Municipal authorities must respond to inquiries from peace officers regarding certificate validity. For this purpose, it is recommended that municipal authorities keep a record of the certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information and to learn about the technical standards applicable to the purchase and installation of a flashing green light, see the frequently asked questions.
Terms of the regulation respecting flashing green lights
The flashing green light is a courtesy light. Firefighters who receive an emergency call from a fire safety service may activate a flashing green light when travelling to the fire station or the scene of an emergency. The flashing green light helps other road users identify firefighters travelling to an emergency and encourages them to behave with courtesy. In addition, when it is safe to do so and when the situation so requires, firefighters who have activated this light are authorized to drive on the shoulder and stop their vehicle in any location as long as it does not compromise the safety of other road users. Firefighters must act in a way that does not endanger the lives or safety of others.
The flashing green light does not exempt firefighters from the provisions of the Highway Safety Code. They must obey all the rules, including speed limits and traffic signs and signals
Municipal authorities are not required to provide flashing green lights to firefighters; they decide this matter.
Once the municipality has adopted a resolution authorizing the use of flashing green lights by the firefighters of its fire safety service, each firefighter’s application must be analyzed individually. For this purpose, a manager could be assigned by the council to carry out the various verifications, fill out the certificate of authorization and conduct the appropriate follow-up.
No. The format and contents of resolutions are the responsibility of each municipal council and its clerk.
The Québec regulation does make any provisions regarding the cost of training or the cost to purchase a flashing green light. The expenses related to the flashing green light may be covered in part or in whole by the municipal authority or the firefighter.
No. The municipal authority must revoke the firefighter’s authorization.
All firefighting members of a fire safety service may be authorized to use a flashing green light as long as they meet all the eligibility criteria
No. To be authorized to use a flashing green light, firefighters must be employed by a fire safety service established by a municipal authority and respond to an emergency call from a fire safety service.
Firefighters who do not obey the Highway Safety Code are subject to the same penalties applicable to other drivers.
Québec laws and regulations apply throughout the province. A firefighter may use a flashing green light everywhere in Québec when responding to an emergency call from a fire safety service. A municipality may deny the use of the flashing green light to its firefighters, but it cannot prohibit its use by other authorized firefighters on its territory.
The Highway Safety Code applies and the firefighter faces a fine under section 283.2
No, a vehicle equipped with a flashing green light is not considered an emergency vehicle. The flashing green light is a courtesy light, and a valid licence of the appropriate class is sufficient for firefighters to activate a flashing green light in their vehicles when going to a fire station or the scene of an emergency.
The flashing green light is meant to encourage courtesy. Thus, road users are not required to yield the right of way, but they can identify a firefighter when they see a vehicle equipped with a flashing green light behind them or at an intersection. This way, they can facilitate the firefighter’s travel.
The light can remain installed in the vehicle but it must not be activated.
As of April 1, 2021, under the first version of the Flashing Green Light Regulation, the SAAQ was permitted to issue certificates of authorization.
Purchase and installation of a flashing green light
The light must meet either one of the following specifications:
- be composed of one or more light emitting diode (LED) modules with a flash rate between 1 Hz and 4 Hz
- comply with SAE Standard J845 (February 2019 version or later) or SAE Standard J595 (August 2021 version or later)
The light must have the following characteristics:
- it is equipped with a light shield that reduces glare
- its maximum size, excluding the attachment system, must be:
- 260 mm wide
- 76 mm high
- 185 mm deep
The flashing green light must be installed:
- inside the windshield, facing out
- in an area covered by the motion of the windshield wipers
- outside the windshield’s tinted area that lets in less than 70% of light
- in a way that does not obstruct the driver’s view
- in a way that does not interfere with driving manoeuvres
- in a way that does not prevent the operation of safety devices; for example, the light must not impede the deployment of various airbags (which are often located in the pillars on each side of the windshield or on the passenger’s side)
- in a manner that does not present a risk of injury in case of an accident
It is important to choose the right place to install the flashing green light and attach it securely.
No. The vehicle must be equipped with a single green flashing light installed on the inside of the windshield. A flashing green light may not be installed anywhere else inside or outside the vehicle (front grill).
Yes, because the certificate of authorization is associated with an individual, not a vehicle. However, firefighters must always have their certificate with them when they respond to an emergency call while using a flashing green light.
Firefighters are responsible for checking with their vehicle’s insurer to see the impact that using a flashing green light could have on their insurance.
Training
The École nationale des pompiers du Québec (ENPQ) is responsible for developing and administering the training in partnership with Québec’s Ministère de la Sécurité publique, the SAAQ and the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable. Visit the ENPQ’s website to register.
Yes, the training is a prerequisite for obtaining the certificate of authorization issued by the SAAQ.
The training lasts approximately 3 hours.
The training is offered through distance learning on the website of the École nationale des pompiers du Québec. At the end of the training, the institution will issue an attestation to participants.
Last update: January 12, 2024