Leather Helmets

[Sgnl50]

Hello:
I'm trying to get a feel of how many departments in Connecticut provide there members with leather helmets. If your department career or volunteer uses leathers please drop me a line.

Thanks and Stay Safe,
Matt Firestone
www.signal50.com

[Adze39]

The Broad Brook and Warehouse Point Fire Departments in East Windsor issue leather helmets.

[TCFD12]

We do not issue leather helmets, but we are allowed to use them.

Adze, Curious what the reasoning/justification is for your dept. to issue leathers. You can buy 2 to 2.5 composite helmets for the cost of one leather.

[Adze39]

People just tend to like the leathers better. We like them, then we brainwash the new people to like them. :)


Juniors get plastic (ours use 660's and the Point uses 1010's) and our probies get 660's.

At least in Broad Brook, it is supposed to be the rule that you don't get a leather until you have FF1, but that has kinda of gone bye-bye.

[Sgnl50]

There are some definative advantages to using leather helmets. unlike composite helmets leather will not shatter or melt. (If you have seen some of the composites that have come out the flashover simulator @ CFA you know what I'm talking about) Leather helmets also have less componets so in the long run they require less parts replacement. Firefighters that wear leather helmets tend to have pride in their helmets which in return means they are better cared for by the wearer. There are some great traditional styled composites out there. But, nothing beats leather.


"LEATHER FOREVER" FTM-PTB

Matt Firestone
www.signal50.com

[REDRIVER6]

Georgetown issues leathers and so does the carrer side of Danbury . My dept will let you wear your own leather, but will not buy them for each member. Also, if it damaged , lost or stolen it is your responsibility not the dept.

[fireguystu]

My department allows the use of leather helmets as long as they are maintained in good condition. We recently starting issuing the morning pride ben 2 plus. getting away from the 660 which chip and break easily rendering them trash.

[firemanjb]

Originally posted by Sgnl50
Leather helmets also have less componets so in the long run they require less parts replacement. Firefighters that wear leather helmets tend to have pride in their helmets which in return means they are better cared for by the wearer.

I'm curious how a leather helmet could have fewer replacement parts than a composite. Impact shells are impact shells, straps are straps and visors are visors. What kind of replacment parts does a leather helmet not need that a fiberglass one does?

Since when do firefighters "care" for helmets? Most get angry if someone tries to clean their helmet...we like the "50-mission" look.

What about the negatives of leather, such as weight and cost? Have you ever tested a well-worn leather helmet that "looks good" to see if it is still safe? Could your bias for leather be influenced by the fact that your company SELLS leather helmets?

While my job is TI training, I know our helmet side too. What you have stated and what I have learned don't seem in line...

And, since it appears you are asking Brothers for sales leads in CT and RI, you should at least let them know you are looking for leads.

[Sgnl50]

A Cairns leather helmet in fact does have much less componets than a composite helmet. The liner and earlaps are one piece. You have an impact cap (that isn't removable) a rachet band and a chin strap. Thats four componets. Compare that with most composites and you'll find that a leather helmet has less. I'll put a leather helmet to the test anyday against a composite. Seeing as I refurbish leather helmets for a living I dont know how you can tell me that people dont take pride in their leather helmets. Lastly, taking an informal poll isn't a marketing scheme.