What should a fire apparatus driver/operator do when encountering a school bus with flashing signal lights while responding to a call?

When a fire apparatus driver/operator encounters a school bus with flashing signal lights while responding to a call, the correct action is to stop and wait for all passengers to disembark. School buses are equipped with flashing lights to alert drivers that children may be getting on or off the bus, which requires special attention to ensure their safety.

The law mandates that vehicles must stop when a school bus has its lights activated, regardless of the emergency situation the fire apparatus might be responding to. This is crucial not only for the safety of the children but also to adhere to traffic laws designed to protect pedestrians and young passengers.

In emergency situations, the use of emergency lights is appropriate to signal intent, but it does not replace the requirement to stop for a school bus. The objective is to prioritize the safety of children and other road users in such contexts, reinforcing the responsibility of all drivers to assess and respond to the risks present on the road.