Emergency Vehicle Permits

Policy Adopted

On May 7th, 2012 the County Commissioners adopted an Authorized Emergency Vehicle Designation Policy by law via Resolution 2014-022. This law applies to privately owned vehicles only. Publicly owned emergency vehicles are authorized by State statute to use red lights and sirens and do not require Commission approval.

In addition, all Authorized Emergency Vehicle Written Designations, Emergency Vehicle Permits and/or Red Light and Siren Permits issued before May 7th, 2012 shall be considered null and void after July 1st, 2012 regardless of expiration date on card and/or lack of expiration date. A new permit will need to be obtained before July 1st, 2012 to use red light and sirens on your privately owned vehicle.

Permit Required

By Kansas law, a privately owned vehicle must be designated as an authorized emergency vehicle by the Board of County Commissioners to display and use red lights and sirens.

The law also states that the designation shall be in writing and the written designation shall be carried in the specific vehicle at all times.

Hearing Required

The applicant must attend a hearing and present evidence to the Board of County Commissioners as to why the emergency vehicle designation in necessary to the preservation of life or property of the citizens of Jefferson County.

Equipment Standards

Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet.

Authorized emergency vehicles, shall be equipped with signal lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which shall be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing, rotating or oscillating red or red and blue lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing, rotating or oscillating red or red and blue lights located at the same level.

All lights shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight.

Application Process

The application process is outlined in the policy that can be obtained at the County Clerk's Office. See Resolution 2014-022 above.