Essex-Windsor EMS Adding Blue Lights to Ambulance Fleet

Essex-Windsor EMS ambulances are being outfitted with blue lights to promote paramedic and public safety.

Seven ambulances in the fleet are now using flashing blue lights, replacing the traditional red. Studies have shown that blue lights are more visible than red or yellow lights during the day and at night, when red lights blend in with brake lights on vehicles, traffic signals and other signage.

“Essex-Windsor EMS places a priority on patient and paramedic safety and these blue lights work to reduce collisions involving emergency vehicles and increase visibility on incident scenes,” said Essex-Windsor EMS Chief Bruce Krauter. “It’s a small change that can make a big difference.”

The switch comes after amendments to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, which opened the door for ambulances and fire trucks to use blue lights. Formerly, only police vehicles were allowed to use blue lights.

The plan is to eventually outfit with blue lights all the ambulances in the Essex-Windsor EMS fleet.

Essex-Windsor EMS is also replacing the traditional light bar on ambulances with in-box lights, which are more efficient. The in-box lights are easier to keep clean, less expensive and more economical to repair.