If you picture a fire truck, you’ll likely think of a traditional bright red engine. But did you know that red is not the only color choice for these emergency vehicles? For decades now, many have been yellow — and the reasons why may surprise you.
We are sharing some insights about yellow fire trucks and why some fire stations choose them.
The Emergence of Yellow Fire Trucks
There is no finite history of yellow fire engines. Fire departments across the United States have records of the first yellow fire vehicles around the 1970s and 1980s. Some stations received new trucks in this color because they were more readily available than red options. Others opted for yellow to stand out on the roadways. While red fire trucks remain the dominant color today, it’s not unusual to still see a yellow engine on occasion.
Yellow Fire Truck Meaning
Why are some fire trucks yellow? Fire stations may choose to paint their fire trucks a specific color for various reasons, including:
- Visibility: Bright yellow is a highly visible color choice. This is especially true at night or in adverse weather conditions. Having a bright emergency vehicle in a unique color may help reduce accidents and lead to faster response times from nearby civilians.
- Tradition: For fire stations that made the shift to yellow long ago, the color can be tied to a local tradition or unique fire station identity.
- Distinction: Standing apart from other fire trucks as well as civilian vehicles can help firefighters get through a crowd faster. Opting for a yellow fire truck can also distinguish certain special operations units within a fire department for easy identification.
A yellow fire truck can have various meanings — it all depends on the department’s preferences and practices.
Uses for Yellow Fire Trucks
What are yellow fire trucks for? There are several scenarios where yellow fire trucks may be preferable over red, including the following:
- Fast-paced emergency settings: Yellow might be a better pick for rescue situations that require ultra-quick response, like hazardous material or fuel spills.
- Low visibility situations: Your department may want to leverage yellow engines for environments with compromised visibility, like dense fog or low light.
- Specialized unit design: Investing in both red and yellow vehicles allows your station to color code trucks according to the specialized firefighting units.
The Pros and Cons of Red vs. Yellow Fire Trucks
The differences between yellow and red fire trucks center around their purpose and benefits. Key advantages of yellow fire trucks include improved visibility in low lighting or heavy rain, smoke or fog.
While not as visible as neon yellow or lime green in dim light, red fire trucks had recognition on their side. Dating back to the 1800s, red has been the official fire engine color in most people’s minds.
It’s not completely certain why red became the de facto fire truck color. However, many believe it’s because red was the most expensive paint color at the time, making it an unusual hue that would stand out among the predominantly black vehicles on the road. As a result, the vibrant, attention-getting red color became strongly associated with firefighting over time. Historically, many firefighters’ uniforms were a matching red.
A report released by the United States Fire Administration concluded that being able to recognize a vehicle was more important than its visibility. Even though yellow-green vehicles were more visible to the eye, people didn’t find them as conspicuous as the classic red and, therefore, did not react with the same level of urgency.
The study further concluded that reflective striping was key to a vehicle’s visibility. This is why you will now see most fire trucks, whether red or yellow, feature bright reflective stripes on the back or side of the vehicle.
How to Choose the Right Fire Truck
When it comes to expanding or updating your fire department’s vehicles, you have a lot to consider. Some of the key factors to keep in mind before making a purchase include:
- The types of fires you handle: As any firefighter knows, no two fires are the same. This is why fire trucks are designed to handle a diverse range of emergency situations. Determining whether you are tackling tall buildings in a busy urban area or primarily taking calls for rural areas far outside the city limits will help you home in on the right engine for your needs.
- Your crew’s needs: Assess the number of firefighters in your fire station and how they typically arrive on the scene to determine how large or small your vehicle needs to be.
- Typical water supply: Your fire truck needs will vary based on your typical water source. If you’re serving an urban area, you’ve likely got your pick of fire hydrants, but rural fire stations generally have to arrive prepared with an extensive supply.
- Your equipment load: Depending on the types of emergencies you typically handle and the scope of your inventory, you might need more or less built-in storage capacity.
Once you determine the size and style of fire truck you need, decide on the right color by considering the following:
- Location: If your fire station typically services rural locations with limited or nonexistent street lighting, bright yellow will likely be a more visible color choice in the dark.
- Recognition: Is yellow or red a more common fire truck color in your area? Aligning with the standard color choice can help improve recognition and response times.
- Distinction: Are you looking for a fire truck to stand apart from the rest of your fleet? Opting for a different engine color, whether yellow or red, can help distinguish fire trucks used for a specific purpose.
Ultimately, either color helps your team stand out from the crowd during an emergency, and there is no right or wrong option.
Explore a Wide Range of Used Fire Engines With Fenton Fire Equipment Today
Is your fire department in need of a used fire truck to expand your station’s capacity? While you may be considering traditional red, a yellow fire engine offers its own perks, including improved visibility. Fenton Fire Equipment carries a wide range of used fire engines and pumpers, so you can access the gear you need at an affordable price point. Whether you want red or yellow, we have quality used emergency fire vehicles available for purchase.
Are you ready to expand your fleet? Browse our full selection today or contact us with any questions. Our team is happy to assist you in getting the right vehicles and equipment for your specific operations.