Euro Style Fire Helmets
Euro style Fire Helmet– For many fire departments and services, response to structured fires represents an exceedingly small percentage of emergency responses. Those same fire departments are responding to more calls for road traffic crashes with victim extrication, wildland-urban interface fires, and situations requiring complex rescue operations.
So, why do most firefighters and officers still prefer to wear a traditional-style fire helmet, first designed circa 1836 in New York City?
It is not because of the functionality of these helmets. Let us assume a firefighter named Cairns, New Yorker, who is 8.7 inches tall. He hinders movement in confined spaces. Similarly, he faces trouble while working with SCBA. Additionally, there’s the weight: 4.4 lbs. for a New Yorker and 3.5 lbs. for a traditional composite helmet.
If today, firefighters are not wearing rubber raincoats or three-quarter boots for turnout gear as early firefighters did 60 years ago. Then why do they still wear the same helmet firefighters wore in the 1940s?
Modern Fire Helmet
Fire departments in the USA and Canada have used the “Euro-style” helmet for decades. These helmets provide enough head protection during their duties from the various hazards they may face.
Features of Euro firefighter helmet
Better weight distribution.
The traditional style helmets do not have even weight distribution as they center all the weight on top of a firefighter’s head. Whereas Euro firefighter helmets evenly distribute the helmet’s weight. These helmets lighten the load on top of the head and reduce torque on the neck while moving or bending to perform different tasks.
Better ergonomics.
The Euro style Fire Helmet is engineered as much for comfort and fit as safety for the firefighters. The only most obvious feature these helmets lack is the absence of rear brim!
With no brim, snags have a low-risk value when working in close quarters. The firefighters may forget their helmet’s brim butting against their SCBA cylinder. Plus, the helmet’s accessories, like lighting and communications, can be integrated seamlessly into the design, resulting in a sleeker profile.
More protective coverage.
The most amazing feature of Euro-style fire helmets is that they provide 360-degree protection for a firefighter’s head. This protection is enough to protect users from physical hazards, not just those from above but also from the sides.
These styles also have a feature that provides hearing protection from the noise pollution present on emergency scenes.
Easy to customize the fit.
The headband size is adjustable to fit the user’s head by using the ratchet adjustment system of these helmets. The rear ratchet arms have three (3) positions on adjustable points so that the angle of the ratchet may be set as per need. The need may vary from person to person.
The headband height through the sliding friction tab is adjustable at the front of the helmet. The additional comfort to the wearer maximizes compatibility with the SCBA face mask. A better fit is not only more comfortable, but it also prevents pressure points from developing. This feature also results in comfort after an extended period of wear.
Easier decontamination
These helmets are comparatively easy to clean because of their modular design. A firefighter can quickly disassemble these helmets for detailed inspection, care, and maintenance. The soft parts are also easily removable, washable, and replaceable without repairing tools.
The manufacturer of these helmets designed these new helmets with discussed features after the directives from the Firefighter Cancer Support.
Better radio communications
Communication is a vital component of every incident. It becomes difficult for firefighters to communicate after wearing SCBA and conventional fire helmets. This Euro firefighter helmet provides a modern radio communication feature with a high level of clarity.
The communications module fits easily within these helmets without affecting the user’s comfort- the firefighter. The speakers are located near the ear in these helmets. These speakers are designed to improve the hearing of radiocommunication. This feature has made the life of firefighters easier as they can communicate while performing any other task.
The microphone with flexibility and noise canceling feature is useable with and without the fitting of SCBA. This feature is again the best as firefighters can adjust the microphones as per their need and comfortability.
The flexible, noise-canceling electric boom microphone can be used with or without a firefighter’s SCBA facepiece and doesn’t require batteries. This feature is good because a firefighter always wears a helmet but may not use their SCBA facepiece.
Better face and eye protection
These helmets provide face protection and high visibility upon connecting with a face shield. The face shield gives a high and wide field of visibility in all directions. The universal feature of this shield is to fit on all faces, even on the faces of those firefighters who use glasses for eyesight.
Even in case of the requirement of only eye protection, these helmets are also useful as these helmets have the feature of an optional pulldown option visor. This visor again provides eye protection and has a forward and backward adjustability system to optimize usage. This feature again incorporates the requirements of those firefighters who use glasses or have different facial profiles.
Better lighting
Snag hazards are important in any fire incident. These can cause damage to the firefighters, and these Euro-style fire helmets have the feature of integrated light. The light lightens both the front and side to reduce snag hazards. Therefore, there is no need for a firefighter to strap a flashlight with rubber straps on their helmets. This lighting feature also causes better awareness of the situation and keep firefighter aware of the surrounding.
The lighting system in these helmets is featured inside the helmet, which protects from heat, flames, and impacts. The unique design of these lights on the sides rather than on the top of the helmet enhances visibility. This unique feature again keeps the firefighters well aware of the situation.
European fire helmet vs American
European fire helmet vs American is a critical comparison, and professionals have debated this topic for decades. European fire helmets feature a unique design with a rounded shape and a wide brim extending around the sides and back. Thermoplastic material is used to manufacture these helmets, providing enough durability and heat resistance.
The European design emphasizes comprehensive head and face protection, ensuring the safety and comfort of firefighters during their operations.
In contrast, American fire helmets tend to have a more traditional shape with a shorter brim. They may incorporate other features based on the specific needs and preferences of different fire departments and regions.
Final Thoughts
As a final thought, the Euro-style fire helmet provides better weight distribution, improved ergonomics, more protective coverage, customizable fit, easier decontamination, better radio communications, enhanced face and eye protection, and improved lighting features. They are designed to enhance safety, comfort, and functionality for firefighters. In contrast, American fire helmets tend to have a more traditional design and may vary based on the preferences of different fire departments. The debate between European and American fire helmets has been ongoing, with each style offering unique features and benefits.
Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.