I believe the Explorers are issued blue helmets. Using a color that a regular firefighter wear could place the explorer into a possible litigious situation. Not a good idea... ms
Thought I'd share with you that LAFD (Los Angeles City Fire Department) uses an orange color for the Captain II helmets. Captain II rank oversees a large station and other Captain's. It is a very respected position so the color orange to me means something totally different.
ours vary, basically you take all the stations within the county and we get the leftovers. Its all in a pile, you just find the pieces you need and borrow the ones we don't have. Mines yellow though, some are red and the officers are mostly black.