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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 lutan1 on
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It's interesting to read some of the responses to this topic. I'm not for one jumping on the bandwagon that this design is better or safer than any other, but what does surprise me is that so many people are dismissing it because of tradition and the way it looks, etc.
Tradition is great, and has its place, but when it blinds us to new options, new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking, it scares me that so many dismiss "new"....
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US helmets are the best looking (not the safest)
So if I understand your comment properly Otakar, you'd pass on the possibility of improved safety based on image?
That's progressive thinking....
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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I'm sorry, I can not help myself:
Are these French principals, or Freedom principals?
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Permalink Reply by Stephan Kail on
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I m wearing this helmet and i must say its cool and useful BUT when you use the radio its unconfortable because the helmet is covering your ears.
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Permalink Reply by Mac Conant on
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Thank you Cap' I really AM interested to see a SCBA mask in use with this. And as stated, it reminds me of a pilots helmet. And another note..Masks by Scott are reated for what? 800*F? Thats face and heat protection. What are the face shields like that rated for? And the French SCBA Mask? Im a interiour guy so face protection is not of a great concern to me. Thats what I have prescription safety glass's for.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Dutton on
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Leather Forever!
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Permalink Reply by andrew shapiro on
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Though MSA is U.S. based the manufacturer, almost certainly the French helmets are labelled "Made in France".
Labels can be deceptive whether for PPE or other products in general. The components can come from a variety of countries but at the end of the day the final assembly location, is the attribute that determines what country of origin goes on the label.
For example your structural boots can be shipped into the U.S. from overseas using components from a variety of countries but without soles on the bottom, and by finishng the product locally (adding the soles) it can be labelled made in U.S.A.
In general, should country of origin ever be a concern when evaluating which PPE product is the best/safest? And does it matter if that "imported" PPE product actually contains signifcant amounts of U.S. made components but can't be labelled made in U.S.A.?
And what about vice versa, "made in U.S." product with significant imported components?
As the likelihood of more PPE products becoming imported in the future, these issues will have to be confronted more frequently by the fire service and firefighter unions.
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Dont worry about your English your doing great! Could you by any chance get a picture of the helmet with a Air pack in use. For when you go inside a burning building? Im interested in seeing how it works.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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"glimpse of what the 21st century firefighters are going to be wearing" You may very well be correct CBz.
Think back to the turn of the 20th century. "Why them new fangled motorized vehicles will never replace the reliable horse drawn steamer!" Or later on, the transition from hip boots and a bunker coat to full turnout gear. How about the resistance to air packs? The US fire service is one of the last to accept change. And if my department were to go to those helmets, I'd gladly wear it. But I'd still keep looking for my light saber.
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Permalink Reply by Shaun DeVore on
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Im open to new ideas such as the flat scba that has been mentioned im not sure i like the design however im not going to dismiss the idea it does look like it provides more facial protection than ours curently do. A positive to our helmets is the long brim on the back preventing those embers from going down our back and any interior firefighter can appreciate that. Now i have changed my helmet I used to have a cairns 1010 helmet with the outside fold down visor, i have now switched to a defender visor if you havent seen them check it out they are very functional, like the european helmet the sunglasses type visor folds up into the helmet when scba is in use and is still impact resistant. check it out its a great alternitave to the traditional visors.
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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on
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Not me - I don't like it because I tried it. The comments about the difficulties hearing the radio because the helmet shell covers your ears are spot on, as are the comments about it generatng lots of heat stress at non-fire incidents because it holds vented body heat close to the head.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Tradition is great, and has its place, but when it blinds us to new options, new ways of doing things and new ways of thinking, it scares me that so many dismiss "new"....
On the other hand, as long as helmets meet the standards, why shouldn't someone have an opinion, even if based on looks? Are there features with this helmet that would be nice to see, sure, but does it necessarily make it better? I have seen these and the retractable face shield is nice and stuff, but there are features that I don't like. Just because something is new or different doesn't make it better and as long as standards are met, it comes down to personal opinion.
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