Why are some Fire Trucks not red like most? Is it because the paint was less expensive for yellow or green or some other color? Maybe it was because some Fire Chief didn't like red and wanted his department to stand out from the rest. Well as far as I know some of the very first pieces of fire apparatus were actually black with gold trim work and lettering on them. Among many other things that happen in our lives daily we live with the fact of "with time comes change".
The color of fire apparatus is in fact most commonly red followed by yellow then lime green. To go back and answer the original question of why some Fire Trucks aren't red, it's due to some research done back in the 70's that was leaning toward a safety issue that red was too dark a color to see at night, so a lighter or brighter color may be more favorible on a Fire Truck. What does the paint color have to do with a safety issue if the apparatus is all decked out in emergency lights, GOOD QUESTION?
Many Fire Department around the world have their own reasons for choosing the color of apparatus they use.
Some follow the belief of the studies that were done in the 70's, others choose different colors for simple reasons of matching their local school colors or liking the looks of a certain paint scheme using non traditional colors. For whatever reason the apparatus will still serve it's purpose of serving the community.
Hendron Fire Department is one of the many that take pride in their Lime Green apparatus.

Retired Units