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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 Ben Waller on
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Mike, I just saw this - sorry for the necroposting.
However, since none of us wear motorcycle helmets to fight fire, your point is moot.
The peripheral vision comparison should be strictly between the Euro and US-style firefighting helmets. In that contest, the U.S. helmets win, period.
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Does the helmet-attached mask pass the U.S.-required fit testing? For all face/head sizes and shapes?
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Built-in communication might help with hearing the radio...until something breaks...but it won't help at all with verbal communications, which are also impeded when wearing this helmet.
That was the experience I had when I tried this helmet style.
I use a Pacific R5 USAR helmet for USAR, extrication, etc. - I only use my leather for firefighting.
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Leather U.S.-style helmets do not melt or catch fire under these same conditions. U.S. SCBA straps are kevlar or another aramid that does not melt as do nylon straps.
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Permalink Reply by thomas godoy on
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They may be functional but how much $ an how well can they functional to our style of SCBA's. To me just looking at the pictures posted doesn't look like our scba systems would work to well. Then that mean we now have to buy the french scba system! Again why fix something thats not broke, an why buy more stuff from over seas? I guess as americans we love giving more jobs an more money to over seas companies then right here in our back yard. Such a shame!
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Thomas,
If you read Mike's post, you'd know that MSA, which makes the helmets, are American made.
Also, he points out that they are exploring making them work with american SCBA, so no one is going to make you buy new SCBA (god forbid, french SCBA.)
As for buying "...more stuff from over seas(sic) and,,,"...giving more jobs to over seas companies...", it's done to reduce manufacturing costs and increase profits. I believe it's called capitalism.
If you are willing to work for less money, receive fewer benefits and pay more in local taxes to entice and support manufacturers to stay or move to your area then you may see an increase in american made products. This list may surprise you.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
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Or retired... Just sayin'
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Mike, this response applies to a lot of things outside the scope of a helmet style discussion, but it applies here as well:
There is nothing wrong with change, particularly when that change is tested and proven to be an improvement.
Meaningless change simply for change's sake is wasteful, frustrating, and unnecessarily costly.
The trick is being able to tell the difference.
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Something I missed the first time around...the Euro and US style helmets do not alwasy meet the same standards, particularly if the Euro helmets don't have an impact cap or don't otherwise meet the NFPA helmet standards.
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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on
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Heaven forbid that there might (and I emphasize might, until it's tried and tested) that might actually be better in quality, safety and so on.
Some people need to open their minds up to different ideas- there's a whole big wide world outside of those borders, 55......
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Permalink Reply by Garrett Gee on
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I'm sorry, but I'm not sold. I like the helmet I have now and would give it up over my dead body. I just got it broken in. Also, like it or not, the American style Ben Franklin helmet is the image everyone pictures when you say the words, fire fighter, not some Luke Skywalker pilot helment.
Yes it may be functional and it may provide more protection, but is it cost effective? (not trying to start anything but I want to honestly know.) I'm perfectly comfortable and confident enough in all my current gear that it will provide me with the protection I need to get me into and back out of any incident I'm called to.
Call me a traditionalist, but some traditions like our current helmet, should not be changed.
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