Plus they probably had 100,000 spare yellow torsos at the time!
The later firefighters do have those hi-vis orange tunics of course.
More recently, PM have tended to offer both 'emergency service' sets which mirror the liveries found in Germany (vehicles and uniforms) and other sets which might reflect liveries in other places. Maybe this is in recognition of the international appeal of PM?
Wouldn't it be great if they issued sets in even more specific liveries? We have already had the Italian Carabinieri, NYFD guy, Playpeople British Bobby (way back), American Cop 3338 and no doubt others. The NHL figures have put the lie to the claim that Geobra don't make figures with 'limited' local appeal.....