That is kind of how I took it. If the lights AND siren are going, you are required to pull off to the side parallel to the roadway (either side, but right hand side is preferred).
In the state of Maryland, Emergency Vehicles are required by law to use both lights and sirens when responding to an emergency. If both are not used, or if there is a malfunction, then that vehicle is no longer an emergency vehicle.
There was an incident that I was responding to when my siren failed (lights still worked). Because my siren failed, I am no longer an emergency vehicle. I notify the dispatcher that there is a malfunction and that I am now responding 'Code 1' which is no lights or sirens. If a siren fails, honking the horn or using the PA (loudspeaker) does not cut it. If the officer did not have his lights on, he is no longer an emergency vehicle and you do not have to yield right of way (at least in Maryland). If you see this happen, I'd still get out of the guys way...remember, you'd want people to get out of their way when they are coming to your house or your mother's house.
As NeilMcD pointed out, most police and fire departments are required to 'clear' and intersection before proceeding through. I went through extensive training in driving code, and this was a major issue to be covered and we spent a lot of time properly clearing intersections. They even had 'rabbit cars' that were set up to intentionally try to hit us when we were going through intersections to make sure we were clearing them properly.
I'm hoping the original poster can clarify exactly what was taking place, what the tickets were for, and exactly how the police and firefighters lied.