The authorization to use flashing blue lights are under limited circumstances (13 AAC 02.517 and 13 AAC 04.100) and is approved by the Director/State Fire Marshal of Fire and Life Safety, Lloyd Nakano.

If the request is granted to the agency head to choose members from their department, a form for each member that is being authorized to use flashing blue lights must be completed, signed, and a copy sent back to Division of Fire and Life Safety. Members are not legal to use the flashing blue lights on their vehicles until there is a completed and signed copy in our office.

This delegation of authority is subject to cancellation at any time without cause and without prior notice.

The agency head gives the authority to authorize the use of flashing blue lights and is limited to firefighters and/or emergency medical service (EMS) responders associated with and in service of their agency only.

All authorizations approved under this delegation must be done in strict accordance with all applicable statutory and regulatory provisions.

The approved agency head is responsible to verify that the person meets the drivers licensing requirements, their driving history is otherwise acceptable to them, insure that each person receiving such an authorization from them has read and understands the requirements for and limitations on the use of flashing blue lights on their vehicle, and prior to installing or using a flashing blue light on their vehicle, has completed and returned to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee on a signed and notarized form prepared by the department a certification that:

• (1) the person's motor vehicle complies with the equipment standards set out in 13 AAC 04.100;
• (2) the person holds a valid Alaska driver's license that has not been suspended, revoked, cancelled, or limited within the three years before the form is returned; and
• (3) the person has read and understands the regulations for emergency vehicle operation set out in 13 AAC 02.140, 13 AAC 02.517 and 13 AAC 04.100; and
• (4) the person and the persons vehicle meet the insurance requirements for operation in the state of Alaska; and
• (5) if requested by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, the person provides a certified copy of the person's driving record.

 

The agency head delegated authority under this agreement agrees to indemnify the state against all claims involving vehicles authorized by the agency to use flashing blue lights, including claims based on the states alleged failure to monitor, supervise or train the agency or any other person, or the states review or failure to review a persons driving record. As used in this paragraph,

• (1) state includes its employees, agents, officials and persons working under its direction;
• (2) claim includes demands, causes of action, lawsuits, damages, costs and expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorney fees; and
• (3)indemnify includes releasing from liability, holding harmless and defending against liability, or paying the cost of doing so.

When does a Fire Chief/Agency Head need to submit a letter for approval for their members to use flashing blue lights on their vehicles?

• If it’s the fire department/Agency’s first time applying; or
• If there is a new Fire Chief/Agency Head.

What happens with the members that were currently approved by a prior Fire Chief/Agency Head and the new Fire Chief/Agency Head does not request for approval to approve their members?

• The members are not authorized to use their flashing blue lights.

When does the approved Fire Chief/Agency Head need to submit an authorization form for their members to the Division of Fire and Life Safety?

• When a new member has been approved from the Chief/Agency Head;
• When a member has a change in their license plate number; or
• When 5 years lapse since the last authorization form was submitted for the member.

Can the approved Fire Chief/Agency Head approve a member that is not currently on file as a member of the Fire Department/Agency with the Division of Fire and Life Safety?

• No. The Division of Fire and Life Safety must have been notified the individual is a member with the Fire Department/Agency.

Does a Fire Department have to be currently registered with the Division of Fire and Life Safety in order for the approved members to use Flashing Blue Lights?

• Yes. If the Fire Department lapses in their registration status, the members, regardless of prior approval, do NOT have authority to use their flashing blue lights until the department is currently registered.