Sirens that can be felt as well as heard are being rolled out on Fire and Rescue trucks in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

The "rumbler" sirens direct low frequency soundwaves through large subwoofer speakers which are installed underneath the front of the fire truck, creating vibrations that can be felt by pedestrians and drivers.

Emergency Services Minister David Elliot said too often inattentive drivers in sound-proof cars, or pedestrians with headphones, do not hear the traditional siren.

"Modern society today means that people are always tuned out, and that includes unfortunately pedestrians and motorists," he said.

"You can't legislate for stupidity, sometimes you need technology to get the message across.

"This new technology will allow for pedestrians and motorists to feel a fire engine coming close to them."

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said fire trucks weigh between 15 and 25 tonnes and are very hard to slow down for pedestrians and drivers who do not hear them coming.

"It's become a huge problem and we're worried that one day we'll have a serious accident," he said.

"It's going to help people get out of the way of emergency vehicles.

"When responding to a fire, a road accident, other emergencies, minutes and seconds can count."

He said trials of the low frequency sirens in the CBD had showed it could save 30 seconds on a call-out with a five-minute response time.

"That can be the difference between life and death, literally." he said.

Mr Elliot said the sirens are being rolled out on 25 trucks that frequent areas of high traffic and pedestrian activity, including The Rocks, Darlinghurst, Burwood, Manly, Parramatta, Eastwood, Blacktown, Newcastle and Wollongong.

He said he would not be surprised if similar technology is rolled out in ambulances and police cars.

"Any technology that is going to save lives and improve the efficiency of our emergency services would be technology that I'm quite sure other agencies would no doubt be very keen to look at," he said.

The Government said the siren roll-out in fire trucks will cost $50,000.