My question involves vehicle maintenance laws for the State of: Michigan
I am a paid-on-call firefighter in Michigan. I am, by law, legally allowed to equip my personal car (POV) with red/white lights and siren. When I respond to calls with this equipment activated, my POV is legally considered an emergency vehicle in Michigan.
My questions involves the particular laws that allow this and the requirements of these laws. Michigan P.A. 300
I am curious about underlined part. If wording specifically allows or denies firefighters like my self the ability to utilize a "slicktop" setup. My definition of a slicktop would be 360 degree lighting emitting from the vehicle with no permanent or temporary lightbar mounted to the exterior roof of the vehicle. An example would be a slicktop MSP patrol car: http://i1.tinypic.com/v75v9f.jpgUnder section 257.698 it states:
(c) An authorized emergency vehicle as defined in section 2 may be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights for use when responding to an emergency call if when in use the flashing, rotating, or oscillating red lights are mounted on the roof section of the vehicle, either as a permanent installation or by means of suction cups or magnets and are clearly visible in a 360 degree arc from a distance of 500 feet when in use. A person operating lights under this subdivision at any time other than when responding to an emergency call is guilty of a misdemeanor.
The confusion lies in that "mounted on the roof section of the vehicle" doesn't specifically state "on top of or on the exterior of the roof section" therefor is it lawful to mount lights on the roof section but from underneath or inside the vehicle? Providing there is 360 degree coverage visible from 500 ft of course. Another section does say permanently or through the use of magnets or suction cups. Technically a headliner inside light bar can be mounted with suction cups to glass.
There are many reasons why a firefighter would want a slicktop setup. First, preventing scratching or damaging the roof of the vehicle. Keeping these devices from possibly being stolen. Provide a more stealth appearance and not drawing attention to ones self why driving in standard traffic. A winter blast of seven or so inches of snow. etc...
I tried to ask the MI AG to interrupt this law for us firefighters, of course they wouldn't. I hope I posted this in the correct forum and if anyone can give me some guidance it would be appreciated!
Thanks!

