Firefighting or rescue apparatus including an integrated grab handle and signal light

A firefighting apparatus comprising:

• a body including a plurality of wheels configured to enable transportation of the apparatus to an emergency location;
• a cab mounted over at least one of the plurality of wheels, the cab adapted to house at least one occupant of the apparatus, the cab including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the cab including a first door on the first side and a third door on the first side rearward of the first door, the first and third doors dimensioned to provide occupant ingress and egress relative to a cab interior, the cab including a cab exterior and an outer panel defining at least one of an upper hole and a lower hole distal from the first door;
• and
• a signal light grab handle mounted to the cab exterior,
• wherein the signal light grab handle is mounted rearward from the first door, and forward from the third door so that the signal light grab handle is between the first door and the third door, and not mounted on either of the first door or the third door;
• wherein the signal light grab handle includes a central grab rail configured to enable the occupant to wrap a hand around the central grab rail, the central grab rail including an upper end and an opposing lower end,
• wherein the signal light grab handle includes a longitudinal axis extending from the upper end to the opposing lower end, the longitudinal axis being oriented substantially vertically,
• wherein the signal light grab handle is rigidly and immovably joined with the cab with an open space between the central grab rail and the outer panel, the open space sized to enable human digits to project between the central grab rail and the outer panel while an occupant grasps the central grab rail with the hand,
• wherein the central grab rail is constructed from metal and defines an elongated recess spanning between the upper end and the lower end of the central grab rail,
• wherein an light strip, having a plurality of lights, is mounted at least partially within the elongated recess, the light strip outwardly disposed relative to the cab exterior so as to project light outward and away from the outer panel when the light strip is actuated,
• wherein the light strip is operable in a flashing mode in which the plurality of lights emit illumination in a predefined flashing pattern, and a sleep mode in which the plurality of lights emit no illumination;
• wherein the light strip is joined with a wire that extends away from the light strip, and through at least one of the upper hole and the lower hole defined by the outer panel,
• wherein the wire is in electrical communication with a controller that operates the light strip in the flashing mode to illuminate the plurality of lights in the predefined flashing pattern,
• whereby the signal light grab handle provides at least one of warning lights and signal lights to observers of the firefighting apparatus when actuated.