Editing Fire engine (section)

==Design and construction==
[[File:Front of a MAN fire engine with winch and shackles.jpg|thumb|Front of a [[MAN Truck & Bus|MAN]] fire engine with built-in [[winch]], e.g. for towing damaged cars. The [[shackle]]s serve a similar purpose.]]
The design and construction of fire engines focuses greatly on the use of both active and passive warnings. Passive visual warnings involve the use of high contrast patterns to increase the noticeability of the vehicle. These types of warnings are often seen on older vehicles and those in [[developing countries]].<ref name="warnings">{{cite web|last1=Dallman|first1=Chris|title=What Type Of Fire Truck Lights Are Most Effective|url=http://www.911signalusa.com/what-type-fire-truck-lights-are-most-effective-a-281.html|access-date=17 March 2015|website=911 Signal USA|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307222530/http://www.911signalusa.com/what-type-fire-truck-lights-are-most-effective-a-281.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> More modern designs make use of [[retroreflector]]s to reflect light from other vehicles. Vehicles will also often have these reflectors arranged in a [[Chevron (insignia)|chevron]] pattern along with the words ''fire'' or ''rescue''.<ref name="warnings" /> European countries commonly use a pattern known as [[Battenburg markings]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 September 2009|title=Study Highlights Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle Visibility, Conspicuity|url=https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/vehicles/ambulances/articles/590231-Study-highlights-best-practices-for-emergency-vehicle-visibility-conspicuity/|access-date=23 February 2018|website=Fire Rescue 1|archive-date=24 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224053001/https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/vehicles/ambulances/articles/590231-Study-highlights-best-practices-for-emergency-vehicle-visibility-conspicuity/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Along with the passive warnings, are active visual warnings which are usually in the form of flashing colored lights (also known as "[[light bar#beacon anchor|beacons]]" or "[[lightbar]]s"). These flash to attract the attention of other drivers as the fire truck approaches, or to provide warning to drivers approaching a parked fire truck in a dangerous position on the road. While the fire truck is headed towards the scene, the lights are always accompanied by loud audible warnings such as [[Siren (alarm)|sirens]] and [[air horn]]s.<ref name="warnings" /> Some fire engines in the United States are [[Lime (color)|lime yellow]] rather than red due to safety and ergonomics reasons. A 2009 study by the [[U.S. Fire Administration]] concluded that fluorescent colors, including yellow-green and orange, are easiest to spot in daylight.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.apa.org/topics/safety-design/fire-engine-color-safety |title=Why lime-yellow fire trucks are safer than red|publisher=[[American Psychological Association]]| date=2014| accessdate =26 July 2021}}</ref>

In some regions, a fire engine may be used to transport first responder firefighters, [[paramedic]]s or [[Emergency medical technician|EMT]]s to [[medical emergency|medical emergencies]] due to their proximity to the incident.<ref>Walter A, Edgar C, Rutledge M: First Responder Handbook: Fire Service Edition.</ref><ref>Alaspää et al.: Uusi ensihoidon käsikirja. Tammi 2004. (New Handbook on Emergency care) {{in lang|fi}}</ref>