Firefighters go into dangerous situations every day to save lives. That’s already a tough job. It’s going to be even tougher without the right equipment. That’s why picking out emergency lights for volunteer firefighters isn’t something to be taken lightly. Don’t want to risk getting the wrong one? We list a few buying tips to give you a bit of a helping hand:
Know what you need
Before you set out on a buying mission, make sure you know exactly what your team or department needs. Start with the basics: do your research. That should give you a pretty good idea of what you need and what you should look for.
Look for different styles
These light bars are available in a range of styles so browse through product pages until you find the style that’s a match for your rigs. While there are many options for emergency lights for volunteer firefighters out there, not all of them will fit your vehicles. Check the specs. A little visualization can also be handy in helping you figure out if the design pairs up well with your rig and if you should go ahead with the sale or not.
Go for 2-in-1 styles
Know how much room you have. If the bars are too big, they could fall off and if they’re too small, it might not be as effective as a warning light. Fire Apparatus Magazine says if space is at a premium, you might want to check out styles that already combine a warning and scene light in one unit. That two-in-one combo will let you kill 2 birds with one stone, so you can have everything you need and save up on space.
Lastly, go for reliable suppliers online. That’s one way to keep your search on the right track.