The firefighting helmet has a long and storied history. For some, it’s part of their identity as firefighters. The emotional, personal attachment that firefighters feel for their helmet can in part be summed up in a reply that I received from a firefighter who works for me when he was directed to turn in his helmet that had aged out after 10 years: “You can have my helmet when you pry it from my cold, dead hands.” I laughed. Of course, he gave it to me. As important as the helmet is emotionally and aesthetically to the firefighter, its true intention and value lies in the protection that it gives the firefighter’s head.
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The firefighting helmet isn’t a billboard for experience nor a badge of courage. It’s one of the more important aspects of the firefighter protective ensemble. It protects the area that generates critical thinking and physiological actions by protecting the firefighter’s head from fire and falling objects. However, it also keeps water and embers from going down the neck behind the firefighter’s collar as well as provides limited face and eye protection. All of the factors must be considered in selecting a helmet.
I ask the question to line firefighters, “What’s most important to you about your helmet?” Unfortunately, some rate the preference for the appearance/look of the helmet or the fit of the helmet almost equal to its capability to protect from impact and heat. (Editor’s note: Although the helmet standards and testing for NFPA 1971: Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting are very rigorous, they are just minimum standards.)
So, how do you select a helmet? The answer begins with your response to the following questions: Why are you looking for a new/different helmet, and what’s your needs assessment? Your answer could include: the current contract is about to expire; you want to investigate new technology and design; you have concerns about durability issues; you incurred injuries while wearing your current helmet; or you just aren’t happy with your current helmet.
Whatever the need, do some research. Collect data and information. Find out what’s on the market. I recommend going to a trade show if you have that ability, to collect information in one place. The ability to vet information about products, including to confirm or refute claims in real time and in person, is very beneficial.
Go on the internet/YouTube to see videos of how products are made and tested.
Another suggestion: Reach out to an organization (local, state, national, international) that you or your department belongs to or call a neighboring department.
Also: Schedule a day when manufacturers can come to your location to show you what they have. (See “Show & Tell” sidebar.) Some firefighters tell me that their departments are too small and believe that manufacturers will not come to them. A potential solution is to band together with neighboring departments or state organizations and set up a larger manufacturer presentation day. A single department that requires 10 or 20 helmets might not get anyone’s attention, but, say, five fire departments that require 50 or more helmets total—or a state or regional “presentation day”—will get manufacturers thinking.
Obviously, helmets can be different. Materials can be leather or molded composite. (An interest in leather might be primarily because of style, tradition and longevity; composite helmets bring cost, weight and durability advantages over leather.) The design can be traditional, metro or European, and the finish can be matte or glossy. Eye protection can come in the form of a 4-inch curved design, NFPA flip downs, a retractable visor system, such as the Defender recessed, or goggles. (Not all helmets come with all eye and/or face shields.) A chin strap can be of the two- or four-point configuration. Soft goods can be garnered in removable/reattachable types. Impact caps can be incorporated for thermal (versus just the shell) and/or impact (versus suspension) protection. Fit can be specified in consideration of comfort, balance, coverage, ergonomics and/or weight.
Consideration of helmets that are made in the United States should be rooted in the reliability of the supply chain and of customer service.
Editor’s note: Regardless of what you hear or read, all NFPA 1971 helmets must meet the same testing certification requirements.
It’s difficult to truly test helmets by just putting them in the field. How can you ensure that each helmet will see the same number of fires, extrications, dumpsters, vehicle fires, etc.? Even if you test four helmets and the same firefighter wears them, how can you ensure the same situations for each one from one shift to the next, from one week to the next, from one month to the next?
You can evaluate the fit, but the helmet should be worn over a period of time, which probably will depend on the time that you’re afforded based on how quickly that you need to recommend or select. It should be evaluated in full PPE, including SCBA and on air with hood in place and also in nonfire uses, such as extrications in full PPE. That will give you a look at how the helmet interfaces and moves with the ensemble in a physical evolution. You can simulate operational use with physical evolutions in a static environment; that will assist you in a side-by-side evaluation.
If you have access to a burn building, you can evaluate the thermal protection and movement in a “simulated” fire evolution. The adage, “Practice like you play,” applies here. Subject each helmet to the same conditions and movements that you would experience on the fireground and performing an extrication. Climb an aerial ladder. Pull ceiling with pike poles. Lay out an attack line from the apparatus to a front door, and move that line through a building or up stairs. Use the jaws or cutters on a junk automobile.
Besides the big red truck, the firefighting helmet is an item that’s symbolic of being a firefighter, but it’s not a showpiece. It’s an important part of the firefighting PPE ensemble and must be treated that way.
