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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 Sune Schønnemann on
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Can you be a bit more specific on why not?
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Permalink Reply by John Dobson on
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I know A few firefighters here in Indiana that have them.
I like my paul conway liberator helmet NFPA verison for firefighting just fine and not ready to give it up. Its light and fits well. Not a big fan of the Traditional style helmets they look good, But are too bulky and heavy in my opinon.
So to each his own as long as there NFPA approved. Great post about something different. We always should be on the look out for better equipment.
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Permalink Reply by Shareef Abdu Nur on
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"Why don't we copy the French Fire Helmet design?" Because we are not French.
The traditional American Fire Helmet is crafted with history and takes us all back to a time when American hard work meant somethng. It takes us back to a time of American craftmanship. We wear our helmets in honor of not only those who fought fires before us but out of respect for the American working man/woman and the spirit that is deep within him/her that makes them proud of whatever their profession is. We wear our helmets because of the pride and honor that the craftsman put into making this just for us. Sure, we can wear some cookie cutter salad bowls, but where's the ownership and connection with the man/woman who makes their living from our history. More importantly, where's our connection to our forefathers, our ancestors, our trailblazers, and our children. I can tell you were mine is, in my heart.....and on my head.
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If I could have a more safe and comfortable thing, I would those that...
But then again, I don't have that American need of "pride" and "honor"..
- Or well I do.. But I choose to make my own, rather than relying on my forefathers..
(Please don't take my reply as a negative thing, it is not meant as such)
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Nicely stated Shareef.
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Shawho?
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Shareef, the person who responded before you in regards to tradition etc. I thought what he said was nicely stated and does well to reflect my opinion as well in this topic.
Sune,
What you have here is a matter of opinion, plain and simple. As it is the helmet, whether traditional, salad bowl, to the euro design, meets the NFPA requirements and that is what does matter. The rest of the topic goes towards opinion. The title of the thread, IMO, could have been better worded because the topic can be taken as though the OP insinuates the French design is superior to what many depts here have. For many there is a great pride involved in keeping traditions and many do reflect that with the helmet design. It isn't a personal attack if others don't find the Euro design appealing, it is a matter of opinion and as long as helmets meet the NFPA requirements, there is no reason to persuade or dissuade someone from their opinion.
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Permalink Reply by capcityff on
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The traditional one I have works perfectly fine. I'd rather not have my head completely encapsulated like that. Like someone else mentioned, the brim on back of the traditional ones is very handy at times.
Many of us American firefighters also take a lot of pride in tradition. I know that some things NEED to change, but this isn't one of them.
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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on
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Shareef, that's a terrible reason to disregard the new gear. I love the tradition, but if technology helps us do things better I would think we should use it.
I'm still not sold on this style helmet, but I'd like to see a "bake-off" to measure their performance. I'd also be willing to bet that leather does worst of all.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Tradition is great, but when it hinders progress and an openess to new technology that could be life saving, then it's dangerous....
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I see Shareef stating an opinion, just like you guys are. The fact remains even the traditional style helmets today meet the same NFPA requirements as this helmet does, that really does not mean that tradition is being a hinderance to progress.
I have used a few different styles and have noticed pros and cons of each, but protection wise, I did not see a difference. I didn't use the Euro style helmet, but a friend, who's opinion and friendship I respect dearly, did go to the style with his former dept. I had to chance to try on the helmet and so forth when visitin, but his opinion was that he didn't noticed any more difference than what he has now (traditional).
That is the point here, as long as the helmet does meet the NFPA requirement, the rest is opinion. It isn't the fact that this style helmet is any better, because that becomes opinion. It isn't that a traditional style is an impeddance to progress, it isn't.
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