Revolutionizing Fire Truck Scene Lighting

What does smarter scene lighting actually look like on today’s fire apparatus? In this episode of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Podcast, host Chris McLoone sits down with Whelen Project Manager Jon Sestrom to break down the evolution of scene lighting - from outdated quartz and halogen towers to today’s advanced LED systems. With over 20 years of industry experience, Jon shares insights on real-world challenges like power draw, battery life, and generator reliance, and explains how application-driven design is helping departments spec smarter, safer vehicles.

• 2:30 – The evolution of scene lighting
• 6:44 – Why application-driven lighting matters
• 12:23 – Lumens vs. real visibility
• 14:41 – Why light placement matters more than brightness
• 24:02 – What to consider when writing specs
• 29:06 – Getting more value from lighting

Chris McLoone:
Hi, Chris McLoone here with Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment. Welcome to this episode of our podcast.

Today, we’re talking about lighting—specifically white light and scene lighting. There’s a lot that goes into it that you may not be thinking about when you’re getting ready to spec a truck. We’ll talk about what you should be considering to make sure you’re choosing the right lighting for the job.

Joining me today is Jon Sestrom, Project Manager with Whelen. Jon, thanks for being here.

Jon Sestrom:
Thanks for having me.

Chris McLoone:
It’s funny—I was thinking about the scene lighting I used throughout my fire service career. I remember an ’89 rescue truck we had with two large light towers in the back. Each had quartz halogen lights. They put out a lot of light, but they only went up and down. We were basically just flooding everything.

Later, we upgraded pumpers and added light towers that could tilt and pan, which felt like a big improvement at the time. But now, when you look at what’s available today—the intelligence built into these systems—it’s amazing how far things have come.

I’ll let you do most of the talking, but to set the stage: when we think about white light or scene lighting, there are a lot of challenges involved. What are some of the things Whelen is doing to address those?

Jon Sestrom:
That’s a great place to start. Lighting has definitely evolved from “flip a switch and light everything up” to something much more intentional.

Back in the day, quartz and halogen were the available technologies. Then we saw strobes, and eventually LEDs came along—and that changed everything.

As we design products, we focus on two main things: the end user’s needs and the OEM’s needs. One of the biggest challenges we hear about is power—current draw. These apparatus have a lot of systems competing for power, and it’s not unlimited.

So OEMs are constantly asking: “How much power does this draw?” That pushes us to design more efficient systems—doing more with less power.

Instead of just flooding everything with light, we now focus on specific use cases. Where do you actually need light? For example, on the blocking side of a truck, you may not need much illumination. But on the working side, you do. That’s where individual control and application-specific lighting come into play.

Chris McLoone:
That’s interesting. How much of what you provide is application-driven? For example, positioning, angles, or working off the side of the road—those all impact where light needs to go.

Jon Sestrom:
A lot of it is application-driven—that’s really the key.

We break lighting down into categories like perimeter lighting, load lights, work lights, and scene lights. Too often, people just say “we need illumination,” but that’s not specific enough.

Each application has different requirements. For example, perimeter lighting doesn’t need to be extremely bright—it just needs to evenly light a defined area, like a 5-by-10-foot space. It’s about the right distribution, not maximum output.

Chris McLoone:
That brings up visibility. When departments say they just want illumination, you almost have to act as a consultant. How do you measure visibility, and what actually matters?

Jon Sestrom:
Great question. There are a few ways to approach it—some very scientific, some more simplified.

A key measurement is foot-candles, which tells you how much light reaches a surface. The challenge is that people often focus only on lumens. They’ll say, “This light has 1,500 lumens, so it must be better than one with 1,000.”

But that doesn’t tell the full story.

You could have 1,500 lumens focused into a tight beam, lighting a very small area. Meanwhile, a 1,000-lumen light with better optics could evenly illuminate a larger space. For most applications, that second option is more useful.

So it’s not just about brightness—it’s about how the light is distributed.

Chris McLoone:
So would you say where the light goes is more important than how bright it is?

Jon Sestrom:
100%. That’s the most important thing.

If you don’t think about where the light is going, you’ll probably just pick the highest number. But that’s like buying a car based only on horsepower—it doesn’t tell the whole story.

It’s all about the spread and distribution of light.

Chris McLoone:
Let’s talk about the science behind that. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes before these products ever reach a truck.

Jon Sestrom:
Absolutely. It all starts with understanding the application.

We define requirements—like lighting a 5-by-10-foot area, staying under a certain power draw, and fitting within specific size constraints. Then our engineering teams—mechanical, electrical, and optical—work together to design the product.

The optics team plays a big role. They design reflectors and lenses to direct light exactly where it’s needed. We build prototypes and test them in photometric labs, measuring light output across small zones to ensure even distribution.

It’s a detailed, iterative process to get the right result.

Chris McLoone:
What about differences between trucks? Height, mounting position—those vary a lot. Do you customize for that?

Jon Sestrom:
There’s variation, but also a lot of consistency. Most apparatus fall within similar height ranges and have common lighting positions.

We design products to perform consistently across those variations. That said, we do offer custom solutions when needed. If someone has a unique challenge, we’ll work with them to develop a solution.

Chris McLoone:
Let’s talk specs. When departments are deciding on scene lighting, what should they be thinking about?

Jon Sestrom:
First, focus on the application. Don’t try to solve everything with one product.

Second, think about light distribution—not just brightness.

Third, keep specs simple. Instead of specifying lumens, consider things like LED technology, power consumption, and optic type (spot vs. flood).

And take advantage of manufacturer resources—websites, spec sheets, demos. Seeing the light in action makes a huge difference.

Chris McLoone:
In today’s environment, departments are also focused on value. How do you get more value out of lighting?

Jon Sestrom:
It comes down to features and flexibility.

Instead of a simple on/off light, look for products that offer multiple modes, adjustable intensity, or dual functions. For example, a light that can act as both a spotlight and a scene light gives you more capability without adding more equipment.

It’s about getting more functionality from fewer products.

Chris McLoone:
If there’s one takeaway you want listeners to have, what would it be?

Jon Sestrom:
Don’t skimp on lighting.

These products are designed to solve real problems and make your job easier and safer. Take the time to evaluate your needs, review options, and see demos when possible.

It’s worth the effort.

Chris McLoone:
Great advice. Jon, thanks again for joining me. We’ve only scratched the surface, but this is a great starting point.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out. You can also find all of our podcast episodes on our website.

Thanks for listening—and stay safe.