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Why don't we copy the French Fire Helmet Designs?
One of the coolest things I have ever received in the mail, ever... arrived at my house a couple of days ago. It was from one of the friends I made here on the FFN, and he is from France, where he works as a professional firefighter. Like many firefighters, we both like fire service related things and are involved with trading things back and forth. What amazed me however, was the functional design that I saw first hand.
Up to this point, I have only seen photographs of french firefighters wearing a very unfamiliar fire helmet style. To be honest, I blew off the design because they just did not look like fire helmets. After having the chance to actually wear one, I offer the following insight for those, like myself, who never have had the chance to see what our brothers and sisters across the Atlantic wear for head and face protection.
The world just keeps getting smaller... I invite everyone to take the time to get to know others around the world with the spirit of sharing and providing the most up to date training and response information available. We are not alone, we have each other.
Prenez garde à rester en sécurité, (TCSS)
CBz
The Casque Pompier (Fire Helmet):
Built in Safety Goggles:
Fire Helmet Protective Visor / Heat Shield:
View Through Fire Helmet Protective Visor / Heat Shield:
Fire Helmet Heat Shield:
05-25-2010 Update: I made direct contact today with MSA and spoke with one of two sales reps that have knowledge of the French Gallet F1-SF Firefighter Helmet. Here's what I learned:
• These "French" fire helmets are manufactured by MSA, which is 100% USA owned and is based internationally out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• MSA bought out the french company Gallet 7-8 years ago, which included this helmet design and manufacturing rights.
• Existing USA style fire helmets are rated to no more than 1500˚F, while this particular style is rated to 1800˚F. Why more? The same technology used by NASA for astronaut helmets visors are incorporated into this design. Both the helmet and face shield reflect the heat, keeping the interior of the helmet cool, with maximum interior helmet temperatures reaching around 95˚F.
• The existing F1-SF helmet does not meet NA standards as mentioned in one of the posts. However, there is such a demand now for this style that MSA is working on providing a NA approved helmet that has the same features but also possesses the necessary impact standards.
• What we are looking at is a glimpse of what the 21st century firefighters are going to be wearing, internationally...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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After wearing one, I felt a lot safer. There really is no difference between wearing a motorcycle helmet and the french fire helmet.
Which goes right back to a matter of personal opinion and preference......so why should we adopt this style then when it conforms to the same standards out there?
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Permalink Reply by Auxman on
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Why would anyone wear any sort of traditional US firefighting helmet while doing forest fire fighting anyway?
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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Expense.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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I'm guessing the french (european) helmet is an integral part of their entire ensemble and probably wouldn't work well as a stand-alone item.
I really can't believe that it wouldn't meet US standards and likely the look (nontraditional) is what is off-putting to most people. In a couple of years most of us will be using the new flat pack and I suspect that new, lighter, more effective PPE is not too far away either. I'd be willing to bet that it won't look at all like what we're used to. But so long as it's effective (hopefully, more effective) I'm all for it. If innovation makes the job safer and easier I'm all for it too. Style only counts when you're off duty.
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Permalink Reply by Rafael Szabó on
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Hello! I'm Hungarian firefighter. We also use such a helmet. Heat shield to reach the man's nose. If the shield is hot then it will burn. Heat shield distorts. The helmet lamps dragged the man's head because it is not centered. I hope I wrote well, because I translated with translate.google.com.
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Rafael, can the helmet fail so that it can not be removed? If it will burn, can you always pull it off your head easy?
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Permalink Reply by Ron Farthing on
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I have a red helmet just like this made by an American company here in the US. I bought it about 7 - 8 yrs ago. At he time, it was still a relatively new and radical idea here in the US. I am a federal firefighter here in Alaska, and I volunteer when I'm not working. The volly department allowed me to use the helmet for 30 days. I got 4 motor-vehicle accidents (extrication time), 1 brush fire, and 6 structure fires. I was absolutely blown away! This helmet was cooler and WAY more comfortable for extrication and firefighting than I thought possible! It had a much lower center of gravity and did not slide around on my head. On the structure fires, I could freely move my head around without my rear bill hitting my SCBA, especially when looking overhead or fighting fire while heading up stairs. I completely forgot I even had it on because of the freedom of movement I had. I was impressed. BUT....it just does NOT look like a firefighter's helmet. And because of that, NO ONE here wants it. At the time (7-8 yrs ago), the company said that MSA was making an adapter for attaching to the helmet that would allow you to don an SCBA mask, without removing your helmet. It would clip to the helmet itself. I never followed up on that, so I don't know what the status is. I also attached an after market com to my helmet, ie., a speaker near my left ear plugged into my portable radio. I really liked the setup. But, the only picture I see of it now days are teams in national firefighter competitions. Too bad. I'm 54 yrs old, 36 yr veteran, and 3 yrs from mandatory retirement. I would have gone for it. Even if it did make me look like Roger Ramjet or Darth Vader!
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Permalink Reply by WestPhilly on
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"So nothing french is any good?".
Sacrebleu, Jacques! Not ALL things French. I hear their whine, uh, wine is really something.
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:) thanks
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Let's hope that all of the safety/design engineers that work for various companies are all american citizens, otherwise are those products truly american? I mean, if it's designed by a furiner....
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Yes, if I have the helmet good adjusted.
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