Toronto Fire Services Siren and Air Horn Usage PDF

Standard Operating Guideline Date Issued: April 11, 2018 Rescinds: May 14, 2015 File Code: A-SIRE Section: Apparatus SUBJECT: SIREN AND AIR HORN USAGE Purpose: To provide all Toronto...

Standard Operating Guideline Date Issued: April 11, 2018 Rescinds: May 14, 2015 File Code: A-SIRE Section: Apparatus SUBJECT: SIREN AND AIR HORN USAGE Purpose: To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for the use of vehicle siren and air horn warning devices. Responsibility: All Toronto Fire Services personnel have the responsibility to be aware of the laws governing the operation of any vehicle. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring sirens and air horns aboard responding apparatus are used in a law abiding but discriminate manner. Operation: 1. Operation and control of the siren and air horn is the responsibility of the Driver of the apparatus. 2. The Company Officer may assist in the operation of the siren as directed by the Driver. 3. It is the responsibility of the Company Officer to monitor the use of the siren and air horn in the same manner as they are responsible for monitoring driving conduct. 4. When apparatus are responding through traffic, the use of sirens and air horns are necessary in allowing the vehicles to reach the scene safely. 5. It must be noted that for purposes of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, only sirens and bells are recognized as emergency warning sounds. Highway Traffic Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1990 (Revised 2014), Chapter H.8, Sec. 159.(1) Stop on approach of vehicle with flashing lights or bell or siren sounding 159. (1) The driver of a vehicle, upon the approach of a police department vehicle with its bell or siren sounding or with its lamp producing intermittent flashes of red light or red and blue light, or upon the approach of an ambulance, fire department vehicle or public utility emergency vehicle with its bell or siren sounding or its lamp producing intermittent flashes of red light, shall immediately bring such vehicle to a standstill, 6. Sounds made by air horns are not recognized emergency warning sounds under the Act and provide no exemptions to the laws in the Act. 7. When proceeding against red lights (after coming to a complete stop and prior to entering the intersection) or engaged in other emergency procedures, sirens shall be used in conjunction with all red and white flashing lights. 8. Air horns and sirens shall not be used in any non-emergency situation. File Code: A-SIRE Page 1 of 2  Standard Operating Guideline Discretion: 1. Discretion shall be used regarding the use of these devices during times when traffic is minimal or non-existent. An example would be typically while responding in the late evening and early morning hours. 2. Noise created by the sirens and air horns at these hours cause many residents unnecessary discomfort. 3. TFS personnel controlling siren and air horns are reminded these devices are used to alert the public and to help clear traffic. Discretion and common sense should be exercised when using these warning devices; if there is little or no traffic they should be used accordingly. File Code: A-SIRE Page 2 of 2