Helmets in the Cab, Good or Bad?

What dose everyone think about wearing helmets in the cabs or not

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bates on March 14, 2010 at 11:58am

i use the time of masking up, putting on my hood , gloves and helmet,etc.. as my time to make my personal size-up. I gather my equip,and tools for assigned job, and find a good spot to perform my size-up, confer with my partner/ team, and double check equip, before performing assigned tasks.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on March 14, 2010 at 1:08pm

Anyone wearing a helmet to an incident, and I mean anyone needs to ask one question. Why? Not one post here mentioned how wearing a helmet interferes with the hearing protection. When you arrive at an incident, you take off the headset and put on your helmet... The exception here is if you are the firefighter. Once you receive your assignment / orders, it is common to notify the Captain that you are going off intercom to get your mask, hood and helmet ready. When the engine stops, the firefighter exits the engine to catch the hydrant for example. Both the Captain and Engineer remain in the cab as hose lines are being laid to the fire scene. Upon arrival and exiting the cab of the engine is when the helmets are then donned.

CBz

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Permalink Reply by MInnFIrefighter on March 14, 2010 at 2:19pm

Besides the NFPA's reasoning I also like to leave mine off until I exit the apparatus, because it forces you to slow down. When you take a second to slow down you almost automatically take notice of your surroundings, this adds to your situational awareness and overall safety. I also prefer to not have my mask on until it needs to be, this is due to the same reason i listed above as well as improved communication before entering an IDLH.

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Cole on March 14, 2010 at 2:27pm

Sorry I didn't read all the replies first, I aint got much time. But the whole problem is due to the potential for more serious injuries in case of collision when wearing the helmet. The seat back cannot offer any protection to the neck area when wearing a helmet.

I've never worn my helmetin the apparatus for over 30 years anyways.

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Permalink Reply by larry jenkins on March 14, 2010 at 3:33pm

Have not seen that since"Johnny and Roy" did it on Emergency back in the 70's. There is no advantage to wearing it. It's not designed for crash tests, so leave it next to you where it belongs.

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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on March 14, 2010 at 4:20pm

I put on my helmet when I am about to exit the apparatus. The NFPA recommends that wearing our helmets en route adds to possible neck and back injuries in the case of an accident or even sudden breaking because of the brim of the helmet.

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Permalink Reply by Lani on March 15, 2010 at 3:31pm

I don't wear my helmet in the cab...mostly because it interferes with the wearing of the Fire-com, but it's on before I exit!

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Permalink Reply by Paul Montpetit on March 15, 2010 at 3:42pm

PFC Harmon is correct...NFPA not only says that no, you can't wear them but that they must be secured...you aren't even supposed to carry them.....if someone gets hurt then the lawyers will once again have a ball with us (I am also one who still wears mine).....I don't talk the talk and walk the walk.....see, I can admit when I step on Mr. Johnson....LOL

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Permalink Reply by Wade Seely on March 15, 2010 at 4:24pm

I only wear mine when im riding the tailboard....... the sheild keeps bugs out of my teeth when we are flying down the highway for that medical call, nothing worse than doing pt. care with bugs in your teeth.

TCSS