06/23/2026
🔥SQUAD CO. 62 GETS AN UPGRADE🔥
The roto-ray is one of the most recognizable warning devices ever mounted on a fire apparatus. While modern LED lightbars are incredibly bright, the roto-ray survives because it does something many other lights don’t: it creates a very noticeable moving pattern that immediately catches a driver’s eye. The concept dates back to the late 1920s and early 1930s, when mechanically rotating warning lights were developed to improve visibility on emergency vehicles. The traditional roto-ray uses three lights rotating in a vertical plane at approximately 200 RPM mounted on the front of the apparatus.
Today Squad 62 was outfitted with a red/white/green roto-ray. While this may seem like a small upgrade to some departments, the addition of a roto-ray to Squad 62 serves an important purpose. In today’s world of distracted driving, anything that helps draw attention to an approaching emergency vehicle can improve safety for both responders and the public.
The rotating warning light creates a unique visual pattern that stands out from traditional emergency lighting, helping motorists recognize and react to the apparatus more quickly. Whether responding to an emergency call, approaching an intersection, or operating in traffic, every additional layer of visibility matters.