After 40 years, the Ramsey Fire Department voted to change the color of the apparatus back to the traditional "Firetruck Red" from lime green. In the early 1970's, studies were done in the nation on the most visible color for emergency vehicles to promote safety and recognition. Back then, lime green, which is very bright during the daylight was the most visible color. Using this information and doing additional research, it was decided to change the color of all apparatus in the Ramsey Fire Department to lime green. The first vehicle to arrive in the new color scheme was Engine 435, a 1973 1500 GPM Mack Pumper. Engine 435 stood out well as the first lime green colored engine in the fleet. As new trucks were purchased, they were painted lime green as well and all current apparatus, with the exception of the 1965 Seagrave ladder truck and a 1951 Mack pumper were sent out and repainted. The ladder truck was replaced with the current 1982 Mack/Baker Aerialscope and the 1951 Mack was replaced with the current 1981 Mini Pumper, both painted green.
As years past, more studies continued as to color and visibility of apparatus and it became apparent that reflective lettering and striping along with the more state of the art LED lighting systems now is the forefront in visibility and safety.
Talk of changing color was on and off through recent years around the firehouse and as the FD is now going through some major upgrades in apparatus acquisitions, it came to a vote at a recent monthly meeting and after 40 years, the color was changed back to red. Since the color was changed, it was decided to go back to the original roots of the FD to match the color of the 1927 American LaFrance pumper. This was achieved and the first unit (Squad 451) painted red has now arrived and will be placed in service.