Explaining Why Firetrucks are Red

4 Theories on Why Fire Trucks are Red

Fire trucks may have originally been red because the paint was cheap. One of the strongest theories on the color of fire trucks dates back to the earliest fire stations. Back in the day, firefighters were primarily volunteers. Good samaritans funded the stations, so there wasn’t extra money floating around. Red was the cheapest paint they could buy, and it just stuck. On the other hand, some believe fire trucks are red because red paint was the most expensive. This theory isn’t as widely known but could be the result of revival volunteer stations competing with each other.

The wagons and carts used to transport equipment might have been red. Long before automobiles, firefighters would repurpose horse-drawn wagons or carts to lug their equipment around. The farmers who previously used these carts painted them red to hide dirt, and the color was too good to paint over.

Fire trucks are most likely red to display urgency. In the 1900s, Ford offered a series of cars in black, and when it came to designing fire trucks, the vehicles needed a way to stand out. Red is the color of urgency, and what says “Get out of the way!” better than a big red truck?

Some believe a silly, made-up riddle explains the red color. One of the most popular responses to the question “Why are fire trucks red?” is a lengthy joke that dates back centuries. So, if you’re looking to fool a friend, tell them this: “Because they have 8 wheels and 4 people on them, and 4 plus 8 makes 12, and there are 12 inches in a foot, and 1 foot is a ruler, and Queen Elizabeth was a ruler, and Queen Elizabeth was also a ship, and the ship sailed the seas, and there were fish in the seas, and fish have fins, and the Finns fought the Russians, and the Russians are red, and fire trucks are always ‘Russian’ around, so that's why fire trucks are red!”

Can fire trucks be other colors?

Yes, fire trucks can be other colors, like lime-yellow. Believe it or not, experts say red might not be the best color for an emergency vehicle. Red fire trucks are 3 times more likely to get into an accident than lime-yellow fire trucks, so many modern trucks aren’t painted red anymore. Depending on where you live, you can see green, white, blue, or yellow fire trucks. Bright colors like lime green or fluorescent yellow are easier to spot on the road day or night. There are orange fire trucks in Finland, and Australia has yellow-green fire trucks.

What’s the difference between fire trucks and fire engines?

Fire engines carry water, while fire trucks transport everything else. Although the words are used interchangeably today, fire trucks and fire engines are actually a little different. Fire engines primarily carry large amounts of water to a scene, especially if a fire hydrant isn’t accessible. Fire trucks bring everything else, including the ladders and firefighters.