1. (1) Authorized Emergency Vehicles.

   1. (a) The following vehicles will be authorized as emergency vehicles pursuant to section 316.003, Florida Statutes, and will be equipped with both blue lights and a siren to be operated in accordance with this rule:

      1. Designated emergency response vehicles assigned to the Office of the Inspector General.

      2. Primary and secondary canine vehicles, not to exceed three (3) vehicles per facility.

      3. Vehicles specifically designated for use to “trail” EMS transports, not to exceed two (2) vehicles per facility.

      4. Other vehicles designated by Secretary or designee.

   2. (b) Vehicles equipped with blue lights only (no siren) are not considered emergency vehicles for purposes of this rule.

2. (2) Use of Blue Lights Only.

   1. (a) Blue lights may be used without a siren as a visual alert to the general public when:

      1. Responding to escapes from secure custody, except as provided in paragraph (3)(d) of this rule.

      2. Responding to medical emergencies at external work areas.

      3. Responding to riots, disturbances, or other similar incidents.

      4. Responding to natural disasters.

      5. Establishing a perimeter.

      6. Participating in escape simulation drills or other similar drills where a visual warning may be necessary to alert the public.

      7. Working in accord with local law enforcement agencies.

   2. (b) The Secretary or designee may authorize non-emergency vehicles owned, operated, or leased by the Department to be equipped with blue lights only (no siren) for the specific purposes listed in this subsection.
   3. (c) Under no circumstances will any vehicle displaying blue lights only, without the use of a siren, exceed posted speed limits or disregard traffic laws.

3. (3) Use of Blue Lights and a Siren.

   1. (a) Only emergency vehicles authorized under subsection (1) of this rule will be equipped with a siren.
   2. (b) Under no circumstances will a siren or other audible device be operated alone without a display of blue lights.

   3. (c) Blue lights and a siren may be operated in unison when:

      1. Responding to escapes from secure custody, except as provided in paragraph (3)(d) of this rule.

      2. Providing armed escort to emergency vehicles such as ambulances transporting inmates when those emergency vehicles are operating lights and sirens.

      3. Working with other law enforcement agencies in emergency situations, when such assistance has been requested by the law enforcement agency.

   4. (d) In addition to the circumstances listed in paragraph (3)(c), emergency response vehicles assigned to the Office of the Inspector General may use blue lights and a siren in unison when responding to a life-threatening emergency as a first responder while traveling to or on Department-owned or Department-leased property or while traveling to or on the property of a contractor-operated correctional facility.

   5. (e) The driver of an emergency vehicle equipped with both blue lights and a siren may exercise the following privileges granted by Section 316.072, F.S., when responding to an emergency call, unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer:

      1. Park or stand, irrespective of other provisions in Chapter 316, F.S.

      2. Proceed past a red or stop signal or a stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operations.

      3. Exceed the maximum speed limits, so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.

      4. Disregard regulations governing direction or movement or turning in specified directions, so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.

   6. (f) The foregoing provisions will not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor will such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his or her reckless disregard for the safety of others. Additionally, all staff engaged in any emergency response situation must comply with the following procedures:

      1. Stop for all stop signs and red traffic lights and proceed only after all other vehicles have yielded the right-of-way.

      2. Speed will not exceed 15 MPH over the posted speed limit unless circumstances exist that would provide for the safe operation of the vehicle at higher speeds and the gravity of the situation so warrants. Speed entering and exiting a tollbooth shall never be greater than the posted speed limit or if not posted 15 MPH.

      3. In the event of an equipment failure that could result in the unsafe operation of a vehicle during an emergency response mode, the emergency response mode must be terminated, and the appropriate institution’s control room will be notified. If such equipment failure involves an Office of the Inspector General-designated emergency response vehicle, the driver must notify his or her supervisor upon terminating the emergency response mode.

4. (4) Use of Vehicles in Recapture Efforts.

   1. (a) The Department has a “no motor vehicle pursuit” policy. Motor vehicle pursuits will be handled by the law enforcement agencies involved in the recapture efforts.
   2. (b) If an escapee is detected and flees in a motor vehicle, the detecting correctional officer or Office of the Inspector General personnel will immediately communicate this information to the assisting agencies and allow them to take over any pursuit of a motor vehicle.
   3. (c) The detecting correctional officer or Office of the Inspector General personnel will obtain as much descriptive information as possible about the suspect vehicle (location, direction of travel, color, make of vehicle, model of vehicle, tag, and occupant description).

5. (5) Responsibilities.

   1. (a) It will be the responsibility of the appropriate assistant deputy director, regional director, warden, or Inspector General to:

      1. Ensure all officers and Office of the Inspector General personnel assigned as drivers of emergency vehicles authorized under subsection (1) of this rule are properly trained in the safe operation of emergency vehicles and have completed an emergency vehicle operations course or a reasonable equivalent as approved by the Department.

      2. Ensure all officers and Office of the Inspector General personnel assigned as drivers of emergency vehicles authorized under subsection (1) of this rule maintain American Safety and Health Institute CPR certification or its equivalent.

      3. Ensure all emergency and non-emergency vehicles authorized under this rule are maintained in good condition.

      4. Ensure all officers and Office of the Inspector General personnel assigned as drivers of emergency or non-emergency vehicles authorized under this rule have not, within the past three years, been convicted of reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances and have not had their driver’s license suspended under the point system provided for in Chapter 322, F.S.

      5. Ensure all officers and Office of the Inspector General personnel assigned as drivers of emergency or non-emergency vehicles authorized under this rule possess a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

      6. Ensure that all drivers of emergency or non-emergency vehicles authorized under this rule are periodically inspected for continued compliance with the provisions of this subsection.

   2. (b) It will be the responsibility of the driver of any emergency or non-emergency vehicle authorized under this rule to:

      1. Advise his or her supervisor of any change to his or her driving status, including but not limited to license suspension.

      2. Advise his or her supervisor of any physical or mental defect, disease, or condition that would adversely affect or impair his or her ability to drive an emergency vehicle. This includes the use of prescription or over the counter medication that may impair a person’s reaction time, cause drowsiness, or result in any other mental or physical impairment.

      3. Comply with all provisions of this rule and state Uniform Traffic Control laws of Chapter 316, F.S.

6. (6) Training.

   1. (a) The Bureau of Staff Development will design and implement an emergency vehicle operation course of no less than sixteen hours. This training will mirror that which is currently afforded law enforcement students in certified law enforcement academies. This course may be condensed to better suit the Department’s needs; however, it will provide students with advanced driving techniques and a clear understanding of current law and legal expectations.
   2. (b) Correctional officers and Office of the Inspector General personnel who have attended and successfully completed a certified law enforcement crossover course and have their certificates of certification as law enforcement officers on file with the Department will be required to complete only the 4-hour classroom portion of the 16-hour training course. In the event there is no cross over emergency vehicle operation course, the additional Department training described in paragraph (6)(a) of this rule will be required.
   3. (c) The Bureau of Staff Development will ensure this course is updated annually or as needed based on current state Uniform Traffic Control laws, Chapter 316, F.S.
   4. (d) The course of study will be mandatory for all persons prior to operating any vehicle equipped with both blue lights and a siren and will be documented in each person’s personnel file and training record.
   5. (e) Wardens, regional directors, and other staff authorized by the Secretary or designee may operate non-emergency vehicles equipped with blue lights only (no siren) without completing the emergency vehicle operation course.

Rulemaking Authority 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 316.003, 316.006, 316.072, 316.2397, 316.271 FS. History–New 6-16-08, Amended 10-29-08, 8-18-25.