What a Flashing Green Light Means in Ontario: Understanding the Signal, Supporting Volunteer Firefighters, and Staying Safe

If you’ve ever driven through Haliburton County or anywhere in Ontario and seen a flashing green light on a vehicle, you might have wondered what it means. Unlike red and blue lights associated with police, fire trucks, or ambulances, the green flashing light is not something you see every day. And yet, knowing its meaning could be a matter of life or death.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll explain what a flashing green light means, who uses it, the legal framework that governs it, and most importantly, what you should do when you see one. With many Ontarians unaware of the significance of this signal, raising awareness can help save time—and lives.

In Ontario, a flashing green light on a vehicle means that a volunteer firefighter is en route to an emergency in their personal vehicle. These volunteers are responding from their home, workplace, or wherever they happen to be when the call comes in.

While the majority of volunteer firefighters head to their local firehall to collect the emergency vehicle (like a fire truck), some may be dispatched directly to the emergency scene, especially in time-critical situations such as medical emergencies or structure fires.

This flashing green light serves as an alert to other road users: someone is responding to an emergency and may need extra consideration to reach their destination quickly and safely.

The use of flashing green lights by volunteer firefighters is legally recognized under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. However, it's important to note that:

• These vehicles are not classified as emergency vehicles.

• A green light does not grant any special driving privileges—volunteer firefighters must still obey speed limits, stop signs, and all other traffic laws.

• The green light is solely a courtesy signal, intended to request the right-of-way from fellow drivers and pedestrians.

According to Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), only authorized volunteer firefighters may use these green lights, and their guidelines on the use are outlined in the Public Fire Safety Guidelines available at www.ofm.gov.on.ca.

Flashing green lights on personal vehicles can appear in a few different forms:

• A rotating dome light mounted on the dashboard or roof

• A green strobe light inside the windshield

They do not include sirens, as personal vehicles are not equipped or permitted to use them. In lieu of sirens, firefighters may honk their horns to alert drivers and pedestrians.

It’s worth noting that walkers, joggers, or cyclists—especially those wearing headphones—might not hear a horn. That’s why visual recognition of the green light is so important for everyone sharing the road.

Here’s how to respond appropriately when you see a flashing green light:

• Yield the Right-of-Way: If safe to do so, pull over and allow the vehicle to pass.

• Be Alert: The vehicle could be approaching quickly—remain aware of your surroundings.

• Never Block or Impede: Don’t obstruct or challenge the vehicle’s path.

• Don’t ‘Play Cop’: Some misguided individuals attempt to block volunteer responders by slowing down, straddling the centre line, or weaving in traffic. This is not only illegal—it’s dangerous.

• Spread Awareness: Many people simply don’t know what the green light means. Educating friends and family helps make roads safer for everyone.

Ontario is home to more than 19,000 volunteer firefighters, and in many rural and remote communities like Haliburton, volunteers are the backbone of fire services. These individuals are on-call 24/7, often balancing full-time jobs and family commitments. When the pager goes off, they drop everything and go.

Every second counts in an emergency. Delays—even of just a few minutes—can be the difference between saving a home, preserving property, or saving a life. The green flashing light is a small but powerful tool in helping volunteers get to the scene faster.

By understanding and respecting this signal, you become an important part of your community’s emergency response network.

Myth: The green light means the driver is a police officer or has emergency powers.

Reality: Green lights are strictly for volunteer firefighters and provide no legal authority to break traffic laws.

Myth: You don’t need to pull over for green lights because they’re not ‘real’ emergency vehicles.

Reality: While not legally required, yielding to green lights is a sign of respect and community support. It can save precious time during emergencies.

Myth: If they’re in a hurry, they can just use sirens and speed.

Reality: Volunteer firefighters’ personal vehicles are not equipped with sirens or allowed to break speed limits. Your courtesy is their only advantage on the road.

You don’t have to be a firefighter to play a role in community safety. Here are a few things you can do:

• Talk about it: Share what you’ve learned about green lights with friends, family, and neighbours.

• Lead by example: When you see a green light, yield. It sets the tone for others to follow.

• Get involved: Support your local fire department through fundraisers, events, or by becoming a volunteer yourself.

• Stay informed: Visit your local fire department’s website or contact the Fire Chief to learn more about how your community's emergency services operate.

Nicole Baumgartner, whose husband Jarod Spooner is a volunteer firefighter, is raising awareness about the critical importance of recognizing green flashing lights. From her perspective, too many drivers remain unaware of what these lights mean—resulting in dangerous delays and, at times, drivers deliberately obstructing volunteers on their way to emergencies.

“Every second counts when a life is on the line,” Nicole says. “That green light could be the difference between making it in time—or not.” It's more than a flashing signal; it’s a plea for urgency, respect, and cooperation from every driver on the road.

Every person who understands what a flashing green light means contributes to a more responsive, supportive, and safer community. In rural regions like Haliburton, the stakes are high and the resources limited. Respecting the green light means respecting your neighbours—the ones who run toward danger when others are running away.

So the next time you see a green light flashing through traffic, don’t hesitate. Pull over. Make space. Show your support. You never know whose life you might be helping to save.