Ambulances In Windsor Essex Getting Blue Emergency Lights

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Blue emergency lights are not just for the police anymore.

Essex-Windsor EMS is adding blue emergency lights to its ambulances to promote paramedic and public safety.

Seven ambulances in the fleet are now using flashing blue lights, replacing the traditional red. Officials say studies have shown that blue lights are more visible than red or yellow lights during the day and at night, when red lights blend in with brake lights on vehicles, traffic signals and other signage.

“Essex-Windsor EMS places a priority on patient and paramedic safety and these blue lights work to reduce collisions involving emergency vehicles and increase visibility on incident scenes,” says Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter. “It’s a small change that can make a big difference.”

Essex-Windsor EMS follows Windsor Fire with adding blue lights. The fire department made the switch in 2017 after amendments to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act which opened the door for ambulances and fire trucks to use blue lights. Previously, only police vehicles were allowed to use blue lights.

The plan is to eventually outfit with blue lights all the ambulances in the Essex-Windsor EMS fleet.

Essex-Windsor EMS is also replacing the traditional light bar on ambulances with in-box lights, which are more efficient. The in-box lights are easier to keep clean, less expensive and more economical to repair.