This was recently sent to me and poses some interesting reading.


www.firefighterclosecalls.com.
>
>Please share with the leadership of your fire
>departments, immediately.
>
>Line and Chief Officers, this is a matter that
>should command your attention (please)
>
>NEW NFPA APPARATUS STANDARDS & HELMET WEARING/USE
>
>Tuesday, February 26, 2008
>
>The following is in the new revision of NFPA 1901,
>effective for apparatus contracted on and after
>January 1, 2009.
>
>"14.1.8.4* The following statement shall be
>included in the operator’s manual: ’Fire helmets
>shall not be worn by persons riding in enclosed
>driving and crew areas. Fire helmets are not
>designed for crash protection and they will
>interfere with the protection provided by head
>rests The use of seat belts is essential to
>protecting fire fighters during driving.’
>
>14.1.8.4.1 A location for helmet storage shall be
>provided.
>
>14.1.8.4.2 If helmets are to be stored in the
>driving or crew compartment, the helmets shall be
>secured in compliance to section 14.1.11.2. (This
>relates to the gforce restraints.)
>
>14.1.8.4.3 A label stating ’DO NOT WEAR HELMET
>WHILE SEATED’ shall be visible form each seating
>position.
>
>A.14.1.8.4 The minimum seat head height values in
>this standard assume that the occupants are not
>wearing helmets. The use of helmets puts the
>occupant at greater risk of neck or back injury
>during a rollover or during a severe road event.