I have noticed the signal lights by the fire station abruptly changing when the trucks roll out. Why is this?

This is a signal that an emergency vehicle is approaching and has activated a traffic control system, which systematically and safely changes the traffic signal to provide a “green” light for approaching emergency vehicles. The system is usually set so that the signal is received well in advance of the emergency vehicle’s arrival. It does systematically cycle through and doesn’t just change the opposing traffic’s signal without warning. This allows the intersection to clear and helps improve the responses to emergencies through intersections.

Posted in: The Fire Department on the Road