PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — The Saltcreek Tarlton Volunteer Fire Department shared a letter this week that was delivered to the firehouse urging firefighters to reconsider the use of sirens when responding to emergency calls.
The unsigned letter, signed only as “Whistler,” stated: “Please consider the neighbors when you are responding to an emergency call. The use of the sirens are not required out here.”
What Ohio Law Says
Under Ohio Revised Code sections 4511.24, 4511.45, and 4513.21, authorized emergency vehicles — including fire apparatus, police cruisers, and ambulances — are permitted to disregard certain traffic laws when responding to emergency calls. However, that privilege comes with strict requirements.
Emergency vehicles must use both flashing or rotating lights and an audible siren, bell, or whistle when responding to an emergency or pursuing a suspected law violator. The siren must be capable of being heard from at least 500 feet away under normal conditions.
The law allows emergency personnel to proceed through red lights and stop signs, exceed posted speed limits, and disregard certain turning regulations — but only while exercising “due regard” for public safety. This means drivers must operate with extreme caution and prioritize the safety of everyone on the road.
Motorists, in turn, are legally required to yield the right-of-way, pull to the right side of the road, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Drivers are also prohibited from following a fire apparatus within 500 feet or driving or parking within the block where it has stopped.
Sirens and emergency lights may not be used unless responding to an emergency or actively pursuing a violator. Violations of these statutes by either emergency responders or civilians can result in penalties, including fines.
Balancing Safety and Community Concerns
While some residents may find sirens disruptive, departments say the devices are a critical safety tool designed to alert motorists and pedestrians, particularly in rural areas where road visibility can vary.
The Saltcreek Tarlton Volunteer Fire Department did not indicate any changes to response procedures, and state law continues to require the use of both lights and sirens during emergency responses.
Officials emphasize that the primary goal of siren use is not convenience — but ensuring firefighters, other emergency responders, and the public arrive home safely.
