Why are there red lights on fire stations?

Answer 1

Commissioner Albert Goodrich of the Chicago Fire Department (1927 - 1931) had a nautical background. He applied the marine scheme (red light on port, green light on starboard) to fire apparatus, and the idea became a tradition of the Chicago Fire Department. It is also used to mark the bay doors at most Chicago fire stations. This tradition has since been adopted by fire departments all over the country.

The marine use of red and green lights is to signify who has the right of way when boats are approaching crossing paths. Think of two cars at an intersection of crossing streets in the United States, with one car on each street. When entering the intersection the car on the right can be in front of the other car first. With the green light mounted on the right (starboard) side of the car on the left, the car on the right sees the green light and knows he has the right of way and is permitted to pass in front of the other car. With the red light mounted on the left (port) side of the car, the car on the left sees the red light and knows he should yield to the other car and allow it to pass in front of him. By using this convention boats on the water can safely cross paths at night.

Answer 2

The color Red has always been associated with Signaling, and Emergency Situations. In the old days, volunteers would show up and assemble near the red lamp (or lantern) making easy to see when all had arrived and were ready to head out to serve the public. The lighting of a red lamp at a fire station indicated that it was staffed, and aid was available. It has now become more of a tradition than a practical device. In California, the red lamp being out usually indicates a station that has closed due to seasonal staffing patterns.

Answer 3

I find it interesting that so many of us have gotten it wrong for so long. The fire department has so many traditions that have lost meaning and many make up their own interpretations and some are localized truths. Unfortunately, most of these traditions are only known by volunteer departments because the paid personnel aren't there for the same reasons. On one of my trips to the National Fire Academy there was this one instructor that specialized in fire department history and here is his explanation.

The lights are called "vamp lights." and the lights are there to as a way to honor the Vamp boys. The vamp boys are called that because they carried these lights. Back in the days before electric lights, the lights were torches and were placed outside the barn and designated boys would come and grab these torches and run out in front of the horses to light the way. When they came back to the "barn" they would replace them. As technology grew the vamp boys were no longer needed and the lights were put on as a way to honor these fine lads. They are red signifying the flame.