By ELIZABETH BINNING
It's not fire-engine red. Instead, the Hamilton Fire Service's newest truck is a fluorescent green.
The $500,000 vehicle is one of three tested around the North Island in a year-long study to determine what New Zealand's future fire engines will look like.
The lime-green Dennis, a 2001 model
with the numberplate FIRE YZ, was chosen for the trial to see if colour made a difference when firefighters fought their way through traffic.
The other two, a traditional red and a darker red, also had unique features, such as different light patterns, siren positionings, internal layouts and locker doors.
National fleet manager Graham Bidois said firefighters from Auckland, Hamilton and New Plymouth tested each of the engines, which also had different water pumps and chassis, for three months apiece.
The findings were compiled this week, but Mr Bidois said the Fire Service would not be rushing out for fluorescent green paint.
While the highly visible lime engine was voted most popular by the public, firefighters found that it was a difficult colour to see in low light.
"The kids thought it was neat because it was a different colour but at night it was hard to pick out that it was a fire engine."
The dark red was also unsuitable for emergency service vehicles because it went a "funny colour" under street lights at night.
As a result, Mr Bidois said fire engines would remain the traditional red, but new appliances would be modified to improve safety, visibility and efficiency.
"Every urban appliance that we buy from here on will be based on the results of the evaluation."
Those changes included a more efficient lighting system that used rows of small electrical sources rather than traditional light bulbs.
Amplified sirens would be mounted on the front grilles of the appliances instead of the roof so the sound was directed at motorists, rather than the sky.
Mr Bidois said all of the new appliances would be the Swiss-made Scania, rather than the British-made Dennis, which is remaining in Hamilton, and would have a new locker layout for equipment.
The other two trial engines would also remain in the fleet. All three replace older appliances.
