Common Winter Uses of Emergency LED Lights

As cities around the country enter the coldest parts of the winter season, the need for emergency response services does not simply stop. Rather, first responders and other emergency staff need to be able to continue their operations throughout this time of year, and this places even more importance than usual on items like emergency LED lights and related components.

At LED Equipped, we’re proud to offer a huge range of emergency LED lights and other accessories, from LED visor light bars to mini LEDs, dash lights, light sticks and numerous others to meet every possible need on the market. We’re also happy to assist any of our clients with their changing emergency light needs throughout the year, particularly during the winter period where elements like snow and blizzards need to be accounted for. Here are some of the best examples of the ways our LED lights are utilized by varying different responder types throughout the winter in various parts of the country.

Standard First Responder Needs

First and foremost, the need for first responders like police and firefighters doesn’t change at all during the dead of winter — if anything, it increases slightly due to things like car accidents and home fires. What may change for such first responders, however, is the kinds of lights and sirens they use to ensure they’re seen and heard during poor winter weather.

In terms of using LED lights, many first responders will outfit their vehicles with light bars on the roof as well as smaller LEDs or light sticks for use when they’re out of the vehicle. These items are perfect for providing visibility in dark or stormy conditions, and they can also be helpful for signaling to other drivers and pedestrians.

Additionally, many agencies will change the colors of their lights to reflect the changing conditions outside. For example, a red light may be used to indicate a stopped vehicle, while a blue light might be used to show that emergency responders are on the scene.

In addition to lights themselves, the use of sound is also a major factor for safety. The siren that a first responder chooses to use should be something loud enough to cut through the sounds of weather and other vehicles on the road, but it can also have an LED light attached to indicate when it’s being used directly at a traffic stop or accident scene.

EMT and Health Responses

Another type of first response that remains highly important during winter months is that of EMTs and other health professionals. Here, the primary concern is making sure they’re seen even when outside conditions are at their worst.

Emergency medical technicians carry out a practice called “staging” — this involves pulling up to the scene of an accident or similar incident with the majority of their vehicle’s lights off, and then turning them on one at a time as they move closer to the patient. This allows them to maintain a level of stealth when possible, but it also ensures that they’ll be seen easily when they’re ready to provide care.

In order to supplement this approach, many EMTs will also use LED light sticks or mini LEDs in their medical kits to be used when they’re not directly next to the vehicle. When attached to an EMT’s uniform or placed on a nearby flat surface, such items can make it clear that help is on the way and prevent any injuries from occurring before responders arrive.

Another popular use of LED lights by EMTs is for helmet lights. These attach to the front or back of a helmet and provide a bright light that can be seen from all angles, making it easier for EMTs to work in low-light conditions and keeping them safe from potential accidents.

Snow Plow Drivers

One profession that is especially reliant on LED lighting during the winter months is that of the snow plow driver. In many cases, these drivers are working long hours in the middle of the night during blizzards and other extreme weather conditions, and it’s essential for them to be able to see what they’re doing.

In order to accomplish this, many snow plow drivers will use light bars on the roof of their vehicle as well as LED headlights. This allows them to see the road in front of them as well as the snow that they’re pushing to the side, and it also makes them visible to other drivers.

In addition, many plow drivers will use flashing lights on their vehicles in order to indicate to other drivers that they should move over. This is especially important during snowstorms, when visibility is often low and other drivers may not be able to tell where a snow plow is going. The most popular colors for flashing lights for snow plows are typically blue and amber, since these colors are easiest to see in snow and other low-visibility conditions.

These aren’t your only options, however. Some drivers who know they’ll be plowing in especially heavy blizzard conditions will consider surface-mounted strobe lights, for instance, which can be seen from a much further distance. These lights are especially useful for plows working on the interstate or other major roads, where there is more of a chance that they might not be able to see what’s ahead of them.

With many of these options, mounting options and/or brackets are important, and a number of manufacturers offer products that can be used with standard buckets, roof racks or other popular plow options. If you’re wondering about any of these, contact our team to learn more.

Off-Road LED Lights

For any truck, ATV or utility vehicle you know will be navigating off-road terrain this winter, it’s important to make sure there are a variety of LED lights on board. This way, you’ll be able to see where you’re going as well as what obstacles might lie ahead without any trouble at all.

In many cases, these LED light bars will be mounted directly on the front of your vehicle in order for you to see where you’re going. This is especially important in colder weather when road salt or dirt can freeze on cars and cause damage, since many drivers will need to be able to see the condition of their ride before they get inside.

In addition, there are a number of LED lights that have been designed specifically for off-road use. These are typically more powerful than other types of beams and can help you see much further down the trail. Many come with durable aluminum construction as well as multi-point mounting systems, allowing them to be attached to ATVs or utility vehicles without bars or cages.

Compared to a halogen system, these LED lights will bring you far better performance in cold weather, as they are less likely to get foggy or covered in snow. And because LED lights last so much longer than halogen bulbs, you won’t have to worry about replacements for a long time.

Traffic Advisors

The need for traffic management is also one that’s heightened during the winter in many places, especially in areas where weather conditions are unpredictable. And when the local government needs to keep other drivers off of roads that have been closed or that are simply deemed unsafe, they turn to traffic advisors.

Traffic advisors will typically be members of your local police department, fire department or public works agency who have been trained on traffic management and sent out into the elements. And because their job is so important to keeping everyone safe, they’ll need the best equipment possible.

In addition to flashlights and reflective vests, traffic advisors will typically use daylight-visible LED lights that can be seen from a great distance. This will help to keep other drivers back and allow the advisors to work without any danger.

When picking out LED lights for traffic advisors, it’s important to go with something that is as visible as possible. Amber, green and blue are all great colors for these lights, as they contrast well against most backgrounds. And because they’re LED, these lights will also be very durable and long-lasting.

When it comes to winter weather, first responders and emergency staff need to be able to continue their operations no matter what the conditions. This is why quality LED vehicle lights are so important – they allow staff to see clearly in all types of weather. For more on how such staff typically utilize LED lights during the winter, or to learn about any of our emergency LED light options, speak to the pros at LED Equipped today.