Springfield Fire Department Shows Off New Red Fire Trucks

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- For the first time in more than 35 years, red fire trucks will soon be rolling through the streets of Springfield.

The new engines made a public debut in Springfield Friday morning. The arrival of engines 1, 2, 4 and 9 marks the beginning of a gradual process to replace the yellow fire apparatus currently used by the Springfield Fire Department.

Red fire engines are highly anticipated by Springfield Fire Department personnel and the community. In addition to fulfilling the desire for a classic design, they will also have a higher resale value than the yellow engines they are replacing.

The reason Springfield switched to yellow all those years ago was because a study found yellow was easier to see at night.

"What we found is the study had some flaws in it," says Fire Chief David Hall. "We didn't reduce the number of accidents across the country.  Bottom line, they're hard to miss no matter what color they are."

The engines each took a year to build and cost roughly $400,000 a piece.  They were paid for with monies set aside for the regular replacement of aging fire apparatus. The engines being replaced are all past their typical life span of 15 years.

In addition to donning the much anticipated color of red, the new engines will also have additional features to aid in fighting fires. Each engine is equipped with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) that is four times more effective at extinguishing a fire than standard water nozzles. The engines also have green star technology to decrease emissions.

Following training with fire service personnel, the engines will be put into service sometime in March.

Fire truck fact sheet, via City of Springfield