When you think of emergency vehicle lights, what comes to mind? Often, it’s the bright flashes atop police cars or volunteer firefighter lights signaling urgent matters.
This guide will explore the history of emergency vehicle lights, the various types and colors, and how to choose the correct placement based on your needs. By understanding these factors, you’ll make informed decisions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your vehicle’s lighting system. Whether you’re in law enforcement or are a volunteer firefighter, knowing how to equip your vehicle correctly can make all the difference in critical situations.
Understanding these lighting systems is key to road safety and operational efficiency. Let’s get started!
The History of Emergency Vehicle Warning Lights
These days, emergency vehicle warning lights are commonly recognized, but that hasn’t always been the case. Emergency vehicle lights have evolved quite a bit over the years and have a very long history.
Before the introduction of emergency vehicle lighting, which was sometime in the early 1900s, there wasn’t an easy way to distinguish police vehicles from civilian cars.
Emergency vehicles looked much like any other vehicle on the road. Because of this, police chiefs wanted to use convertible cars so that pedestrians could see their police hats.
In the 1930s, red lights were added to the tops of police cars to signal civilian drivers that an emergency vehicle was nearby.
This quickly became standard practice and later developed into the revolving gumball light in the late 1940s, followed by horizontal emergency light bars in the 1960s. Blue lights were also integrated into the emergency vehicle lighting scheme toward the end of the 1960s to help people with color blindness differentiate between colors.
Fast-forward to the high-tech world we live in, and emergency vehicle lights have become a necessity. These lights are designed to grab your attention and create a sense of urgency, which is important when you’re on the road and someone needs to clear the way. They’ve evolved to include impressive features like color and pattern customization, ensuring each department can express its unique personality while responding to emergencies.
With their roots firmly planted in necessity and design, strobe light bars and sophisticated automotive lighting alternatives remind us that, when it comes to safety, looking good is just a side benefit—and a bright flash in the rearview mirror is the ultimate conversation starter.
Types of Emergency Vehicle Lighting
When it comes to emergency vehicle lights, understanding the different types is crucial for safety and visibility. You’ll encounter front-facing emergency lights that grab attention from oncoming traffic and rear-facing warning lights for trucks that let those behind you know you mean business. This segment will cover these essential features and the brands popular in New Hampshire, all geared toward ensuring everyone knows who’s on a mission.
Front-Facing Emergency Lights
Front-facing emergency lights are used on police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks to alert oncoming traffic, helping to clear roads and ensure faster emergency response times. These lights command immediate attention, signaling urgency and prompting other drivers to yield. Some examples of these include the following:
- Interior Light Bars
- Visor Lights
- Dash Lights
- LED Grille Lights and Surface Mount Lights
- Hideaway LEDs and Strobe Kits
Rear-Facing Emergency Lights
Rear-facing emergency lights, commonly found on tow trucks and fire trucks, help prevent rear-end collisions by increasing vehicle visibility. Proper placement of these lights is crucial for warning trailing drivers of potential hazards, enhancing road safety, and ensuring emergency responders can operate effectively.
- Traffic Advisor
- Surface Mount Lights
- Hideaways
- Bumper Lights
- LED Strobe Lights
Emergency Vehicle Light Color Guide
Each emergency light color serves a unique function. Here’s what each color represents:
Red – Immediate Emergency Response
Red is the most popular color for emergency vehicles, and it is almost always installed on police cars, fire trucks, and emergency response vehicles.
Red front-facing emergency lights, such as those found in the grilles or roof of an emergency vehicle, are typically only approved for use by emergency vehicles such as police cars and fire trucks.
Blue – Law Enforcement & Security
Police and other law enforcement vehicles also use blue lights or a mixture of red and blue emergency vehicle lighting with their cars.
Volunteer firefighters and emergency rescue vehicles may also use blue lights in their private vehicles when deployed to a firehouse or a squad building in response to an emergency. Many state laws also encourage first responder vehicles to use blue and white color combinations.
Though blue lights are most often reserved for law enforcement, in states such as New Mexico and Texas, tow trucks or other utility vehicles are also allowed to use blue lights.
Green – Volunteer Emergency Responders
In some jurisdictions, green emergency lighting indicates a mobile command post, a fire chief’s vehicle, or a volunteer firefighter’s truck. Green lighting is also used by Homeland Security in the U.S. and some private security contractors hired to surveil government offices.
White/Clear – Scene Illumination & Additional Visibility
Each state can require this optional color warning light in various ways. In some states, white emergency vehicle lighting is only allowed for emergency first responder vehicles and must be combined with other emergency vehicle lights.
However, school buses and petrol tanker trucks commonly use blinking white lights, especially in foggy or uncertain weather conditions.
Amber/Yellow – Caution & Traffic Management
Though yellow and amber lighting isn’t commonly used for emergency vehicles, they are used for non-emergency vehicles to caution drivers to drive slowly.
Construction vehicles in many states use amber lights to indicate caution due to their slow travel and the likelihood of obstructing traffic. Additionally, tow trucks, snowplows, and other public utility trucks commonly use yellow or amber work lights.
Choosing the Right Placement for Emergency Lights
The placement of emergency vehicle lights impacts visibility and effectiveness. Consider these factors:
- Roof-mounted light bars: Best for 360-degree visibility.
- The grille and bumper lights: Ideal for low-profile, unmarked vehicles.
- Side panel warning lights: Improves visibility at intersections and alleys.
- Rear-facing flashers: Alerts trailing drivers to slow down or stop.
Proper light placement enhances road safety, reduces response times, and prevents accidents.
Emergency Vehicle Light Installation at a Glance
Below is a quick look at what light installation looks like for emergency vehicles. For more on emergency vehicle light installation, click here!
1. Plan the Layout
- Determine visibility needs and legal requirements.
- Identify placement based on vehicle type (police, fire, ambulance).
2. Choose the Right Lights
- Select beacon lights, light bars, or grille lights.
- Use red/blue for emergency response and amber for caution.
3. Prepare the Vehicle
- Clean and inspect mounting surfaces.
- Measure and mark positions, drill holes if necessary, and apply rust prevention.
4. Wire the Lights
- Secure cables with grommets and wire loom.
- Use proper wire gauge, install fuses, and mount switches in accessible locations.
5. Mount and Secure the Lights
- Follow manufacturer guidelines and use corrosion-resistant hardware.
- Tighten fasteners and apply thread locker and sealant.
6. Test and Adjust
- Verify all lights function correctly.
- Adjust angles for visibility and test in different lighting conditions.
Emergency Lights by Vehicle Type
Each emergency vehicle requires customized lighting solutions for its function:
- Police vehicles – Need front-facing, rear-facing, and dashboard-mounted lights for high-visibility enforcement.
- Ambulances – Require bright white and red lights to signal medical emergencies.
- Fire trucks – Use powerful red and white LED bars for scene illumination and alert signals.
- Tow trucks & utility vehicles – Feature amber flashing lights to warn motorists of hazards and roadwork.
For more information on the different types of emergency vehicles and their upfitting needs, read our Guide to Different Types of Emergency Vehicles!
Contact TCS Upfitting for Your Emergency Vehicle Lighting Needs
Police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks occasionally encounter dangerous situations. It’s critical that these vehicles are equipped to respond accordingly, and emergency vehicle lights help them respond as quickly as possible.
At TCS Upfitting, we understand the value of high-quality craftsmanship when it comes to upfitting commercial and emergency vehicles. Our team of professional technicians remains enthusiastic about the work they do on a daily basis.
With extensive expertise, unparalleled customer service, and certified training, we remain committed to providing our clients with only the highest quality upfits for their vehicles. All of our upfits have a lifetime warranty as well! Contact us today for more information.