When responding to a large incident, if hydrants are color coded, which color should you select?

In fire service operations, hydrant color coding is used to indicate the flow capability of a hydrant. Light blue hydrants are designated for having a flow rate of 1500 gallons per minute (GPM) or higher, which is typically deemed sufficient for battling large incidents. Selecting a hydrant marked in light blue ensures that the responding team has access to a reliable and substantial water supply, critically important in situations such as structural fires or other large-scale emergencies.

Utilizing a hydrant with a higher flow rate can significantly improve response effectiveness as it allows firefighters to deliver more water to extinguish flames, support additional suppression efforts, or maintain adequate water supply for multiple lines.

In contrast, hydrants that are marked with other colors like red, orange, or green indicate lower flow rates, which may not be adequate for the demands of a large incident, potentially compromising response efforts. Understanding these color codes is essential for driver operators to make informed decisions about where to source water when responding to emergencies.