Can you see me now?

[Monty 35]

Something that caught my eye this morning as I was catching up on some news from the BBC News Site (talking about bad weather and high winds)

Seems pretty visible, without a cacophany of lights to blind everyone

[firemoose827 324]

I guess those chevrons realy are effective. At first I thought they were ugly and didnt see where they would make much difference, but they are realy visible and they dont make people go into epileptic fits like some of the strobe packages today do....and Im talking about personal vehicles!!

[jack10562 414]

_{moved from Fire and EMS Photography}

This can stir a good discussion!

(Almost) Everyone loves red fire apparatus, however RED is among the less visible of vehicle colors.

The color and markings of emergency vehicles are very important for motorist visibility.

Warning Lights are only a part of the scheme.

Studies have revealed collision rates of departments with lime-yellow vehicles experienced less than half the number of collisions than departments with traditional red vehicles. Highway studies also indicate cream, yellow and white objects are the most visible.

There seem to be no statewide or federal standards or requirements for emergency vehicle markings.

Should there be?

[SteveOFD 176]

_{moved from Fire and EMS Photography}

This can stir a good discussion!

(Almost) Everyone loves red fire apparatus, however RED is among the less visible of vehicle colors.

Studies have revealed collision rates of departments with lime-yellow vehicles experienced less than half the number of collisions than departments with traditional red vehicles.

Not everyone "loves" red fire apparatus. A few of us still prefer lime yellow for the reason you see in the BBC picture - it is a lot more visible. Visibility is the key to getting the motoring public to slow down around our work zones. If color is the way to do it, and if studies prove it is safer, then FD's and other agencies should be more progressive in protecting its members and start specing apparatus with "safer" color schemes.

[Dondestro 9]

I first came from a dept. with red trucks....I now belong to a company where we are the only company in our dept with lime trucks. Personally i have grown to love them and understand how they are much more visible. One of the other companys in our dept have a boreshead theme with the red over black and personally i feel it is unsafe b/c of the lack of visiblity.

[SteveOFD 176]

As jack10562 stated above, I also thought that "this could stir a good discussion".

This being which color is the "safest" apparatus color. I guess by the lack of opposing responses "everyone" knows which color is the safest (lime yellow), they just don't want to admit it.

Edited February 10, 2008 by SteveOFD

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

As jack10562 stated above, I also thought that "this could stir a good discussion".

This being which color is the "safest" apparatus color. I guess by the lack of opposing responses "everyone" knows which color is the safest (lime yellow), they just don't want to admit it.

Wait a minute, had to go to the bathroom to puke after seeing that green fire engine, did look the same in the bowl.

[jack10562 414]

I believe Fairview (or was it something-dale...) was one of the area's first departments with apparatus PCFD ENG58's favorite, color.

There are not that many others, locally, although you gotta admit, those "green" trucks do stand out.

[Guest FFNick]

Studies have revealed collision rates of departments with lime-yellow vehicles experienced less than half the number of collisions than departments with traditional red vehicles. Highway studies also indicate cream, yellow and white objects are the most visible.

I'd like to see the study, particularly if they compare call volume, population density, highway response, training, etc. There's a lot to it I guess. I grew up in an FD that had Slime Lime rigs, and they got into very few accidents, but I think that might've had something to do with the call volume. I did hit a parked car while backing up though - I'm surprised he didn't see me coming!

I remember Firehouse Magazine did an article years ago about this, and they had a picture of Verplanck's Slime Lime 1980 Hahn, Engine 128.

I must admit though, I do like it....

Edited February 11, 2008 by FFNick

[RWC130 594]

Peekskill FD Engine 130 which was a 1975 Mack CF600

was Lime Yellow from 1975 until 1985 when it was refurbished to Red/White.

I do like Red Fire Apparatus but E130 did look REALLY SHARP Lime Yellow!

[JBE 328]

Said it before, I'll say it again.

Doesn't matter what color, or how many bells and whistles you have on a rig. Someone will find a way to crash it, or into it.

[antiquefirelt 994]

I'd like to see the study, particularly if they compare call volume, population density, highway response, training, etc.

Exactly! If the study took all of the apparatus accidents in a given time period and then looked at the color of the apparatus, of course red would be involved in more! There are 10 times the red apparatus as compared to yellow/green/whatever. If you studied the different colors of apparatus and determined their rate of accident (X accidents per number of runs) you would have a true comparison.

We have "Boars Head" schemed apparatus that is very visible, due to black reflective tape, red/white chevrons on the rear, and quality (not quantity) lighting. I think the unpainted roll-up doors help during the day as they provide color contrast when the reflective stuff isn't bright.

JBE is right, most people aren't even looking at the apparatus they're watching the scene, the smoke, flames, people being extricated and are not paying attention to where the nose of the vehicle is pointing. Add in a cell phone and you'd be better off deploying a sniper than cones!

[irishfire2491 24]

What wrong with that truck She is a Bueaty

Everyone is afraid to Admit that Green Fire trucks are the way To GO

Just a small Preview of the New E-ONE Rescue Pumper E128

[Capejake72 8]

what color will it be when it ripens?

[irishfire2491 24]

what color will it be when it ripens?

Haha Our trucks Never Ripen The Radiation From Indian Point Keep them Green!!!!

[Guest FFNick]

Irishfire2491

Do you have the picture of the rear of the rig? I bet they'd like to see the reflective green chevron job!

I had it, but can't seem to locate it...

[PCFD ENG58 1,085]

Haha Our trucks Never Ripen The Radiation From Indian Point Keep them Green!!!!

IS THAT 3 LEAF MOLD GROWING RIGHT SIDE FRONT OF CAB?

[irishfire2491 24]

the rear and the driver side of the truck

[irishfire2491 24]

[jack10562 414]

Seth has some shots in his picture collection, of high-vis rigs:

http://www.x635photos.com/index.php?cat=33

[Guest FFNick]

Irish - There are newer pics out there where the rear has the green and white hi-vis chevrons. I had 'em, but I think I deleted them by mistake.

[irishfire2491 24]

yea I dont have any new update photos the truck should be in tomorrow or in the up coming week I will try to get some great shots and post them So Seth keep you ears open for the Wet DOWN

[gpdexplorer 46]

Looking around online, here is any interesting chevron idea that I have never seen or heard of. I found this on a site focusing on Texas Apparatus.

Ft. Worth E27

Arlington E1 & E2

Definately chases the eye without any emergency lights activated.

[Guest]

as the saying goes, 'you can't fix stupid!'

[gpdexplorer 46]

And stupid keeps us in business... so stay out there guys and gals.

[Future Fireman 4]

And stupid keeps us in business... so stay out there guys and gals.

And stupid kills and injures us too. :angry:

Mike

Edited February 19, 2008 by Future Fireman

[gpdexplorer 46]

OOOOPS! I meant to write stay safe out there because I was thinking the same thing you were.

Edited February 19, 2008 by gpdexplorer