Firefighter's helmet

Modern composite "Metro" structural firefighting helmets.

For centuries, firefighters have worn helmets to protect them from heat, cinders and falling objects.

Modern structural helmet

A traditional looking helmet (Non-Cairns) with a leather front and "Bourkes" shields - Another common traditional fire service preference.

Modern structural helmets (that is, intended especially for structure fires) are worn in the United States and Canada, as well as Britain and Hong Kong. Structural helmets are made of either thermoplastic or composite material. The brim at the rear of the helmet is longer than the front and a face shield(s) is usually attached to the front.

The Leatherhead

The leatherhead is a term describing an old style leather helmet used by many firefighters in the US and Canada. Leatherhead is also slang for a firefighter who uses the leather helmet. The leather helmet is also an international symbol of firefighters from the earlier years of firefighting. Almost always, traditional leather helmets have a brass eagle adornment affixed to the top front of the helmet that secures a leather shield to the front of the helmet.

The Brass Eagle

The brass eagle which holds the top of the front piece to the leather helmet will often become damaged with wear - The eagle has no particular significance and serves no practical purpose. Its origins can be traced to around 1825 when an unknown sculptor created a commemorative figure for the grave of a volunteer firefighter. Firefighters were not wearing eagles prior to this, but it has been part of fire helmets ever since.

The eagle ornament sticks up and out into the air, which causes it to catch its beak on window sashes, telephone wires and other obstacles. It frequently becomes dented, bent or knocked off. The eagle ornament is frequently criticized and it is said that it would be cheaper and safer to do away with the eagle.

Many fire departments have traditional helmet with more modern plastic and composite helmets that have no eagle device - Jokingly referred to as "salad bowls" for their streamlined shape. Newer "Metro" - The name given by several leading helmet maunfacturers - helmets are also much lighter than both leather and composite traditional helmets

However, many firefighters and fire departments still retain the traditional helmet (composite or leather) as a matter of tradition.

Merryweather

A nickel Merriweather-pattern helmet from late Victorian England

Merryweather helmets were used by British fire brigades from the Victorian era. They were made of brass or nickel, later changed to plastic to make them lighter. Metal helmets are also conductive, which was a safety hazard as use of electricity became widespread, due to the risk of live wires falling from overhead. They were slowly replaced by the modern structural fire helmets, similar to the ones used in North American jurisdictions.

F1 helmet

The F1 helmet is a modern firefighter's helmet made in France by Gallet, a subsidiary of MSA, who also produce the SPECTRA military helmet. In service since 1985, the F1 helmet provides protection against impact, fires and electricity, fulfilling the EN 443 European standard.

The F1 was an answer to a requirement of the Paris Fire Brigade for a replacement of the previous helmet which dated back to 1933; these provided insufficient protection for the face and back of the head, and were not thermally insulated. The F1 helmet is hand made, using synthetic materials often covered with galvanised nickel. It can include masks, communication systems and other accessories.

The F1 has been used by the Paris Fire Brigade since August 1985, and has been widely adopted by all of the French fire services, gaining export success in over 85 countries.

Primary Countries of Use

F1 helmet

Back cover of the F1

The following countries primarily use the F1 Helmet.

• France
• Austria
• Brazil - Corpo de Bombeiros da Policia Militar do Estado de Sao Paulo
• Belgium
• China - fire and rescue brigade
• Denmark
• Hungary
• Germany
• Italy
• Japan
• Malaysia
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Russia
• Spain
• Singapore
• United Kingdom
• Ireland

See also

• Fire safety
• Glossary of firefighting equipment
• Glossary of firefighting terms

External links

• San Francisco Fire Museum page with pictures
• gallet.fr F1 helmet Manufacturer's web site
• Killorglin Fire & Rescue Killorglin Fire & Rescue site includes a breakdown of the parts of the Gallet helmet