A. Operation Of Authorized Emergency Vehicles: The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or ordinance or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in this subsection, but subject to the conditions herein stated.
1. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
a. Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of this title;
b. Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
c. Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he or she does not endanger life or property; and
d. Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific directions.
2. The exemptions herein granted to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of any such vehicle is making use of audible and visual signals as required by law; except, that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle.
3. The provisions of this subsection shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others. (2002 Code § 10.08.010)
B. Operation Of Vehicle On Approach Of Authorized Emergency Vehicle:
1. Emergency Vehicle In Motion:
a. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of the laws of this state or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection, and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
b. This subsection B1 shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using city streets and highways.
c. All vehicles shall yield the right of way to authorized emergency vehicles while such equipment is on an emergency run, even when such equipment is proceeding against an official traffic control device. (2002 Code § 10.08.020)
2. Stationary Emergency Vehicles:
a. The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying a flashing combination red or blue light or any combination of red or blue lights, shall:
(1) If traveling on a street or highway that consists of two (2) or more lanes that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the driver, the driver shall proceed with due caution and shall, if possible and with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic conditions, change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle; or if the driver is not able to change lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a safe speed for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions; and
(2) If traveling on a street or highway other than a street or highway described in subsection B2a(1) of this section, the driver shall proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a safe speed for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions.
b. This subsection B2 does not relieve the operator of a stationary authorized emergency vehicle from the consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of all persons and property upon city streets and highways. (Ord. 585, 2-19-2008)
C. Interference With Emergency Personnel:
1. It is unlawful for the operator or passenger of any vehicle whatsoever to drive or park his or her vehicle in any place as would interfere with the performance of firefighters on duty at a fire, or a police officer or ambulance driver at any fire, accident, catastrophe, or any public emergency whatsoever. (2002 Code § 10.08.430; amd. 2013 Code)
2. It is unlawful for any pedestrian to interfere with the work of firefighters, police officers, ambulance drivers, doctors, nurses or others at the scene of fires, accidents, catastrophes or occurrences of public emergency nature. (2002 Code § 10.08.430)
D. Fire Department Vehicles:
1. Following Fire Apparatus: The driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business, shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet (500') or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. (2002 Code § 10.08.440)
2. Crossing Fire Hose: No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of the fire department when laid down on any street or private driveway to be used at any fire or alarm of fire without the consent of the fire department official in command. (2002 Code § 10.08.450)