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The Importance of Applying Quality Emergency Vehicle Chevrons

Even with the light bars flashing and sirens blaring, emergency vehicles—by the very nature of their occupation—put themselves at a high risk of being struck by ongoing traffic. It is for this very reason that chevron decals have become a standard on the rear panels of all fire trucks, ambulances, and other first response vehicles.

Unfortunately, like with many things, not all chevron decals are created equal. When lives are at risk, do you really want to take a chance on lesser quality materials or an inferior installation? We didn’t think so.

Here are three key reasons why you should install only the highest quality chevrons on your emergency vehicle fleet.

QUALITY CHEVRONS HELP KEEP YOUR CREWS SAFE

In 2009, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standardized the red and yellow chevrons you see today. These colors were selected for their ability to provide the greatest—and most balanced—day and night visibility. In addition, the direction, angle, and thickness of the stripes were specifically chosen for their ability to direct other motorists away from the emergency area.

By investing in a high-quality chevron material that is laminated for UV protection, you’re ensuring those colors don’t fade over time and lose that all-important visibility. At Brand Ink, we only use micro-prismatic lens reflective sheeting that meets ASTM D4956 Type III and IV standards and is rated for maximum emergency zone safety.

QUALITY CHEVRONS HOLD UP TO THE RIGORS OF THE JOB

Needless to say, emergency vehicles get put through the wringer. From the scuffs and scratches of daily use to the intense heat of a nearby fire, every part of the vehicle needs to hold up to heavy abuse—and the chevrons are certainly no exception.

What you may not know, however, is that most of the damage done to chevrons takes place while waiting for the call. Since fire trucks and other emergency vehicles get hand-washed multiple times a week at the fire hall, poorly installed chevrons have been known to dry rot from the inside out.

Unless you want the hassle of replacing damaged decals every few years, your best option is to have a trusted vehicle wrap company install the highest quality materials. At Brand Ink, we use the most durable topcoat aids on every emergency vehicle installation that are proven to be as tough as the men and women who drive them.

QUALITY CHEVRONS SAVE YOUR DEPARTMENT MONEY

When it comes to saving lives, we know the cost of your equipment is at most a tertiary consideration. But at the end of the day, you have to do the best you can with the budget you have. So, why wouldn’t you want to invest in a product that will last longer and save your department money in the long run?

While many chevron decals on the market only last around 5–7 years, Brand Ink’s high-quality 3M materials and professional installation are backed by an up to 10-year performance warranty. We certainly wouldn’t offer that unless we truly believed in the product we’re using.

INSTALL THE HIGHEST QUALITY CHEVRONS WITH BRAND INK

If you’re buying a new emergency vehicle, there’s a good chance it already has Brand Ink chevrons applied. That’s because OEM manufacturers know the difference in quality and trust us with their reputation.

Brand Ink offers fully standardized and compliant chevrons to meet any law enforcement, EMS, and fire apparatus needs. Our prismatic, diamond-engineered chevrons can be applied on nearly any vehicle and surface type (flat, curved, tread plate, etc.).