Flashing Light Colours (On rigs not POV's)

[firefighterkid]

So this is something I have kind of always wondered, who decides or decided what colour lights to have on rigs. Most are Red, I think all we have in Canada is red. I have seen some pics/videos of red and blue in various places in the USA and it seems like Europe and the mid east is blue. So why do departments have one colour over another?

[FIREMECH1]

As far as Europe and Asia, your correct, that they use predominately blue lights. Why, I couldn't tell you.

As for the U.S. equipment, we use red and blue (most anyways) as strobe lights, and not normally for the light bars. They are usually red or red and white.

I would assume we started to use red and blue as another way to be seen. Hopefully to catch the traffics attention, if that's possible.

Otherwise, if I'm correct, the NFPA has a standard for lighting up the rigs.

I'm sure someone in the Fire Service will give you a better reason as to what you can and can't have, and why.

FM1

[rschultzjr]

Yes from what I can tell NFPA states what colors can be used and where. According to NFPA 1901 2003 Edition from what I can tell states:

13.8.3.1 The four zones shall be determined by drawing lines through the geometric center of the apparatus at 45 degrees to a line drawn lengthwise through the geometric center of the apparatus.

13.8.3.2 The four zones shall bedesignated A, B, C, and D in a clockwise direction with zone A to the front of the apparatus.


NFPA 1901, 2003 Edition
Color Calling for Right-of-Way Blocking Right-of-Way
RED Any Zone Any Zone
BLUE Any Zone Any Zone
YELLOW Any Zone EXCEPT A Any Zone
WHITE Any Zone EXCEPT C NOT PERMITTED

I also know that colors are also regulated by some states as to what a fire department may use.

This is my understanding of NFPA. Hope this helps.

[jeremy1213]

Here in Indiana the law states red only but some of the departments use red/blue and red/green. In our area we have two minnie state fire memebers and they wont let use anything else but red/red.

[ATFDFF]

The only thing I have to add is in the chicago area almost everyone has a green light in the light bar and grille lights on the officer side. This was started by a mid-1950s Chicago commissioner who had a strong naval background. There are no rules or regulations about it, its just a Illinois tradition.

[MemphisE34a]

You are all wrong. Emergency service light colors for FD
s and PD's are determined and authorized through each individual state.

[Dave1983]

You are all wrong. Emergency service light colors for FDs and PD's are determined and authorized through each individual state.


Exactly...

Here in FLA, FD can use red, clear (white) and amber. We can also use green but only for an IC post.

NFPA standards are just that, standards. They are not law unless adopted by a state. FLA has adopted NFPA, so we have to follow the lighting standards in 1901 (except for blue).

[RoofTopTrucky]

Exactly...

Here in FLA, FD can use red, clear (white) and amber. We can also use green but only for an IC post.

NFPA standards are just that, standards. They are not law unless adopted by a state. FLA has adopted NFPA, so we have to follow the lighting standards in 1901 (except for blue).


Same here is PA.

RED/BLUE are for PD and Fire Police.

[CanadianFyrTrks]

Hey Doug,

I'm sure you are right about Canada maintaining the red/White combination,

Green here is for a command vehicle (Any vehicle at the scene involving multiple vehicles)

I was talking with one of the local Mechanical officers, the department wants to have the HTA (Highway Traffic Act) changed for Fire Department vehicles to allow them to use blue as it shows better at night and incliment weather. Police Just changed in Ontario Last year after lengthy changes to allow them the use of Blue on their vehicles.

FYI
Blue is reserved for Snow Removal
Green is reserved for Volunteer Firefighters (Courtesy light in Ontario)
Amber is for Construction
Purple for Hearsts

[volfirie]

Here we used to have blue for the police and red for fire and ambulance. After a detailed study (which I don't have access to, it was years ago) we changed to red and blue for beacons and lightbars as well as front/rear flashers, for all police, fire and ambulance vehicles. The study apparently showed that red was best during daylight and blue at night (or in poor conditions). Being used to seeing vehicles with both colours, I agree with the decision. Our all-career neighbours also have white lights in their lightbars.

[WoodbridgeFFII]

Here in the state of New Jersey I am seeing more " Red/White" lights up front and " Amber " on the rear or tail section of the apparatus !