As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them:
EMERGENCY VEHICLE: A vehicle equipped and identified according to law and operated by the Lakeville Police or Fire Departments or any other vehicle so designated by M.S.A. 169.01, subdivision 5.
FIRE CHIEF: The Fire Chief of the City of Lakeville or the Chief's designee.
CHIEF OF POLICE: The Police Chief of the City of Lakeville or the Chief's designee.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR: The Public Works Director of the City or the Director's designee.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL PREEMPTION SYSTEM (TSPS) (OPTI-COMM): A traffic-control system designed for use by emergency vehicles to improve traffic movement by temporarily controlling signalized intersections. The TSPS is comprised of four (4) separate components: an emitter, a detector, an indicator, and a phase selector. The emitter (a high-intensity light source) is attached to the emergency vehicle and functions like a strobe light, pulsating at a frequency in excess of ten (10) "beats" per second. As an emergency vehicle approaches the intersection, this pulsating light is received by a detector that is located at or near the traffic signal. The detector relays the coded message to the phase selector, located in the traffic-control box, which then either holds the existing green light in favor of the approaching emergency vehicle or accelerates the normal cycle of a signal change to provide green by the time the vehicle reaches the intersection. The indicator is a light source located near the detector which is directed toward the oncoming emergency vehicle to indicate to the driver whether or not the traffic light has been preempted in their favor. (Ord. 456, sec. 1, 2-3-92)