SB256 Summary

• Authorizes volunteer firefighters aged 19 and older to operate personally owned vehicles as "authorized volunteer firefighter vehicles" when approved by their fire chief to respond to emergencies.

• Permits authorized volunteer firefighter vehicles to be equipped with no more than two red "courtesy lights" on the front and two on the rear, but prohibits sirens, bells, or electronic siren devices.

• Grants drivers of authorized volunteer firefighter vehicles responding to emergencies the ability to park irrespective of traffic laws, exceed speed limits by up to 20 miles per hour, and disregard traffic laws governing direction of movement—provided they maintain due regard for safety.

• Requires drivers to maintain a fire chief approval letter dated within six months, complete an emergency vehicle operations course through Alabama Fire College, and carry minimum automobile liability insurance of $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident plus $50,000 property damage coverage.

• Imposes double fines for violations of the statute and permanently revokes the privilege to use courtesy lights for any driver convicted of unauthorized operation under this section.