I might be wrong about this but, why do fireman's hardhats have the visor in the back? Rich

 

Heat shield maybe?

 

keeps water and debris out of the firemans collar.

 

right, helps keep back of neck protectected from hot water and embers.

 

Many years ago, I asked my father (40 yr veteran) the same question. His answer was the same as previous replies.
Most modern hats still have a long bill in the rear as well as a flip down shield on the front.

 

nope, the modern metro-style helmets are much shorter and offer less protection from embers. just another idiotic way the 'we gotta change tradition and modernize everything' crowd screws things up. after many departments spent thousands of $$$ on the new metro helmets with the much hated nfpa approved eye shields, some have listened to their members and have returned to traditional helmets with the very popular, non-approved bourque flip down eye shields.

 

We switched from the "modern" style to the "traditional" style a couple of years ago. Besides the safety/function benefits.....major style points!

 

Traditional all the way!! They protect better and look great! We have adopted the northern tradition of Bourkes as well at my station! I love my traditional helmet!

 

Yep. In the fire service, tradition and history usually win out over safety and common sense everytime!

If the collars of your coat are up and your hood is on (as they should be), the rear brim almost becomes a non-issue. The rear long brim on the traditional style helmets were found to be a detriment to some users because they'd wear their SCBA a fraction too high on their backs and as a result, it would hit the brim and push the helmet off their head, usually taking their mask with it.

The 'non-traditional' helmets, (as well as other PPE), were designed as a result of a LOT of firefighter complaints about unsafe and out-dated equipment, only to have the 'out-dated & unsafe' equipment put back in place in the name of tradition.

Sorry for the rant, and I'm not attacking you guys. I just had first hand experience in the development and implementation of some of this equipment, and it's kind of a pet peeve of mine!

chaikwa.

 

Chaikwa,are you on the NFPA 1971 or 1851 committies?

 

Not anymore!

chaikwa.

 

If this were the case then we would still be using rain coats and pull ups, and large cumbersome steel scba tanks.

The new style helmets make great hard hats for exterior fire fighting, however, I'll stick with my traditional helmet, keeps the water, water ladden plaster and latt, and or drywall, and or roofing materials, off of, and out of my collared and hooded neck. I guess tradition and history have taught us something, just because its new and redesigned does not mean it is better.



Tim

 

We have a mix in my Dept. Some of the new style with the big leather badge up front, metal eagle head etc. and large rear brim. They look nice but are heavier and the guys that have them find they are cumbersome when doing VX etc. I have a Bullard from a few years back. It still has a sizeable rear brim which has worked well at keeping water and debris out of my neck but is not so large/cumbersome that I haven't been able to crawl through the back window of a crushed/rolled car to start patient care. I do not care for the "european" style helmets I have seen in pics with no apparent rear brim.

 

Which is exactly what two departments, (that I know of), lobbied for and got from their union reps. Knee length coats and thigh high boots are now an option for all members on those departments.

chaikwa.

 

Some of those, (if they're the ones I'm familiar with), are quite nice. The SCBA mask is built into the helmet and pulls down, much like a visor in a fighter pilots helmet. And the coat has a flap that attaches to the helmet sides and rear brim, making you almost fully encapsulated against anything getting down your back or sleeves. I doubt you'll ever see anything close to this on this side of the pond tho.

chaikwa.