10 Fire Truck Coloring Pages To Rescue Your Kiddo From Boredom
Big, red, powerful — fire trucks have always fascinated kids. And thanks to them, firefighters can do important and lifesaving work. As you probably know, this is because fire trucks are a critical component in fighting fires. They bring firefighters to the scene and give them access to water and equipment needed to stop the fire. Can you think of a subject more fun for an afternoon of coloring with your kiddos? Fire truck coloring pages are a wonderful way to pay tribute to these noble vehicles.
Before you break out your crayons, let’s learn a few things about fire trucks. The first modern fire engine was invented in 1905 by Knox Automobile in Springfield, Massachusetts. There are different fire trucks with various tasks and tools that help support firefighters. For example, if the vehicle pumps water, it is called a fire engine or tanker truck. If it does not pump water, it is called a fire truck.
Fire trucks typically come in red and white colors, but your kiddos can color the following pages in the shades they see fit. The variety of trucks on our free printables come equipped with plenty of interesting details, making them both enjoyable and educational.
Free Fire Truck Coloring Pages
1. Fire Truck No. 1
From putting out fires to saving people from cars and cats from trees, firefighters do a lot to help their community. Their fire truck, or engine, plays a vital part. Ask your little one what they think a firefighter does and, while you’re at it, tell them a firefighter’s uniform can withstand heat up to 2200 degrees. How cool is that?!
2. Fire Truck No. 2
Can you believe that, before technology and engines, fire trucks relied on horse-drawn fire carriages? The first trailblazers (no pun intended) were from London, England, and were pretty basic compared to today’s standards. Now, trucks boast a variety of equipment, such as ladders, hydraulic rescue tools, fire hoses, fire extinguishers, breathing apparatuses, and thermal imaging cameras. On the subject of inventions, did you know Benjamin Franklin was more than an inventor? He started the first fire company in Philadelphia, and the firefighters were known as Benjamin Franklin’s Bucket Brigade. Credit for one of history’s oldest fire brigades, though, goes to Marcus Licinius Crassus — he built a 500-men-strong brigade in ancient Rome.
3. Fire Truck No. 3
Ladder trucks are fire trucks that earned their name from carrying several ladders (not to mention a ton of tools). One of the ladders is a gigantic one called an aerial ladder, which reaches 100 feet in the air and helps firefighters put out fires in tall buildings. Fun fact: Earth is the only known planet where fires can burn. There are no other known planets with oxygen, so firefighters would be out of a job in space!
4. Fire Truck No. 4
Fire trucks are pretty monstrous in general, but there is one fire truck that outdoes them all. In January 2020, a new 8×8 fire truck — the largest in the world — was unveiled at a Dubai exhibition. Like the truck pictured here, it certainly has all the bells and whistles. In fact, it looks like something out of a James Bond movie and (surprise!) comes in black.
5. Fire Truck No. 5
Another type of fire truck is a rescue truck. The rescue truck’s main job is to respond to car accidents, search-and-rescue events, stuck elevators, and other emergencies. Of course, what really makes a fire truck stand out is its shining lights and siren. You might want to explain to your children what to do when you hear a siren while driving: slow down, check to the right, and pull over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. These actions allow the fire truck to pass and get to the site of the emergency.
6. Fire Truck No. 6
Another type of fire truck is called a pumper truck. A pumper truck holds hoses and connects to fire hydrants, allowing the firefighters access to a water source for extinguishing the fire. And here’s a fact definitely worth of sharing with your little one: At the beginning of the 19th century, Molly Williams became the first official female firefighter.
7. Fire Truck No. 7
Who’s driving this truck? You might ask your little one if they want to add someone behind the wheel on this page. Some fire trucks require two drivers — one steering the front and one steering the back — which helps the fire truck remain stable when taking tight turns.
8. Fire Truck No. 8
While red is the most popular color for a fire truck, not every fire truck comes in red. Another popular shade is lime-green for fire trucks, while there are also some blue, white, and yellow fire trucks out there in the world — a veritable rainbow of fire trucks. If you’re wondering why the traditional color for fire trucks is red, well, there’s a pretty practical explanation. In the 1900s, automobile pioneer Henry Ford opted to paint most of his early models black due to that paint color’s affordability and durability. So, when fire brigades began to form, they wanted the rigs to stand out while rushing to the scene of an emergency. Thus, red!
9. Fire Truck No. 9
Look out! Here comes the fire truck with its ladder and hose. Typically, hoses are 50 feet (15.24 meters). Most ladders are 14 feet, 16 feet, and 18 feet. And take a guess how many firefighters work in the U.S. Give up? There are about 370,000 career firefighters and 745,000 volunteer firefighters.
10. Fire Truck House
Ah, home sweet home! When they’re not fighting fires, fire trucks stay at the firehouse — maybe with a dalmatian or two. Your child can even draw in some horses! Before car engines and gas, firefighters used actual horse power to make their way to burning buildings. Horses would pull a huge steam machine in their carriages.
Click here to print all of the fire truck coloring pages at once!
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