Dept. taking away Leather Helmets PLEASE HELP!!!

[MAP]

Within the next two weeks my department will be making a final vote on whether or not to allow firefighters to purchase and wear their own helmet. If this vote is passed the only helmet we will be allowed to wear is the piece of crap plastic one they issued us.

Here's the deal...

According to the Chief I have 2 weeks to come up with literature and/or research that confirms my argument that Leather Helmets not only are safer but meet and exceed all NFPA standards. Does anyone have or knows someone who has literature and/or research they can give me to save the only tradition we have left in this department?

I would greatly appreciate any and all help on this matter. Thank you and god bless you all.

[FyredUp]

Depending on when your leather helmet was made it may NOT meet current NFPA standards. Of course it should still meet the standards at time of manufacture.

My guess would be your best bet would be manufacturer literature stating what standards it met and all the PR saying why it is the best choice.

Seriously though, please explain why you believe a leather helmet is superior to a "plastic" traditional helmet. I have used both over the span of my career.

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

I believe the Phenix TL2 and he Cairns N6A are NFPA compliant. If yo want to wear cow, then those are your 2 choices if your Chief insists on NFPA compliant lids.

Google phenix TL2 and Cairns/MSA N6A to download the literature.

[Lono]

I believe the Phenix TL2 and he Cairns N6A are NFPA compliant. If yo want to wear cow, then those are your 2 choices if your Chief insists on NFPA compliant lids.

Google phenix TL2 and Cairns/MSA N6A to download the literature.

For the N6A, it must be purchased with goggles or a faceshield to be NFPA, correct? If it is ordered with no eye protection or Bourkes, it wouldn't have an NFPA sticker, I believe.

[DeputyMarshal]

Sounds like a smart department to me. From a liability standpoint it makes much more sense to require employees (that includes volunteers) to wear the PPE they were issued than allowing them to wear whatever they feel like wearing.

Besides, leather helmets are for decorating bars, not for modern firefighting.

[CaptOldTimer]

You don't indicate if paid or not but I am leaning toward a paid dept. First of all, the Chief of Department, being correct or not, sets the rules, standards, procedures and guidelines to live and operate by. If the department wants to issue brand X helmet and if that helmet meets all the standards so be it.

There are some if not a lot of departments that do not or are getting away from the members wearing whatever they want to wear. It's call non-standard. Standardization of the department is becoming more and more. That saying, why would you have 1/3 of the members wearing soup bowls, 1/3 wearing all leathers and the other 1/3 wearing what is called the LAFD style lid?

The next time members, will want to do in an organization, is you wear whatever type of turnout coat and trousers they feel it better than what the department issues.

[Lono]

I am not sure about that...generally your helmet is seen as more personal. Many personalize it in some way.

[PaladinKnight]

I am not sure about that...generally your helmet is seen as more personal. Many personalize it in some way.

What happens in your dept has no bearing on what most do. Every department I have been at in the last 38 years has had a standard for issued gear, except one from 1975-1982.

Helmets are considered standard issue, no matter what the type is. I agree that some departments do allow some personalization of the helmet, most are getting away from it.

You can blame protocols, or policies, but you must also blame firefighters that abused the priviledge and went to extremes. That was the case in 1980 where I was... the Chief got tired of some of the CRAP that was placed on the helmets. He bought new lids for every member and took the old helmets out of service.

His first statement about the new helmets was:

"Boys, the helmets belong to me and the citizens. I do not want to see anything on the helmets except the name of the dept, your truck number, and your initials. If you feel a strong desire to change it, then you better get ready to find out what it feels like to give birth."

We had a guy that was always tempting fate... he said that the childbirth experience couldn't be all that bad and he placed a decal on the helmet. He was forced to retired the next day. We didn't have a contract, so there was no due process.

The point I am trying to make is don't push your luck. If you currently use a leather lid, then you better keep it clean and professional. Consider yourself lucky if you get to personalize it. No one may modify any part of their PPE for any reason on my watch. There are still a few of us old guys out here that think we should work as a team, not individuals.

[CaptOldTimer]

I am not sure about that...generally your helmet is seen as more personal. Many personalize it in some way.

The department here issues all PPE. Helmets, coats, trousers, gloves, suspenders, SCBA, handlights, tic's, and also buys all the apparatus, and everything that goes on them.

All members have their own issue Turnouts and Helmet. None is "personalized" as you say. They are liked they came out of the box and issued, some dirtier than others but the same helmet.

This means no adding or substracting from the helmet.

Why would I want to buy anything that they issue when the department has regulations prohibiting the use of anything that they didn't issue?
This is called standardization and since the department pays my wages and benefits, I use what is issued.

Having said that, IF they did allow us to buy our own vs. them buying the PPE. I'd still go with the department supplying everything.

[SPFDRum]

piece of crap plastic one

Now that's funny!! Go to a construction site, let me know how many leather hard hats you see...
The Chief has the say, from a leadership role and a liability point. If you can find documentation to prove your argument, and can sway the Chief, great. If not, you are SOL.

[PaladinKnight]

The department here issues all PPE. Helmets, coats, trousers, gloves, suspenders, SCBA, handlights, tic's, and also buys all the apparatus, and everything that goes on them.

All members have their own issue Turnouts and Helmet. None is "personalized" as you say. They are liked they came out of the box and issued, some dirtier than others but the same helmet.

Why would I want to buy anything that they issue when the department has regulations prohibiting the use of anything that they didn't issue?
This is called standardization and since the department pays my wages and benefits, I use what is issued.

Having said that, IF they did allow us to buy our own vs. them buying the PPE. I'd still go with the department supplying everything.

EXACTLY...

I can think of a lot of things that I can do with $2500 to $3000, other than buy my own PPE so I can change it to suit me.

If you don't like the plastic helmets or rules, there is always another option...

[CaptOldTimer]

I believe the Phenix TL2 and he Cairns N6A are NFPA compliant. If yo want to wear cow, then those are your 2 choices if your Chief insists on NFPA compliant lids.

Google phenix TL2 and Cairns/MSA N6A to download the literature.

SEE HERE --->>>> http://www.phenixfirehelmets.com/products_tl2.html

[MAP]

Whoa whoa gentlemen I think you guys are getting the wrong idea. I'm all for using an NFPA compliant helmet. I'm also all for using the PPE gear they supply me. I am not trying to go out and buy all my own gear.

All I want is to have the choice of purchasing an NFPA compliant Leather helmet in the same color and shape we use in the plastic ones, but that meet and exceed the standards. It allows some guys to put a small preference into what covers their heads so long it meets NFPA regulations.

Lastly, I'm asking if anyone has or knows of where I can find research on Leather vs Plastics and/or Leather meeting and exceeding standards. Obviously what the Chief says goes! He has given me an opportunity to state my case. I'm going to give it the best shot I can, as respectable and informative as I can. No offense, but I'm not looking for opinions but rather facts.

Have a great day, hope all is well, and many blessings!

[DeputyMarshal]

I am not trying to go out and buy all my own gear.

So why would you want the option to go out and buy a grossly overpriced helmet that you'll need to replace in 10 years when the department will issue you one for free?

Lastly, I'm asking if anyone has or knows of where I can find research on Leather vs Plastics and/or Leather meeting and exceeding standards.

Look for the NFPA compliance sticker on the helmet. That means it meets or exceeds the standard.

No offense, but I'm not looking for opinions but rather facts.

You've gotten them. The opinions are a free bonus.

[76Truck]

It's about tradition and pride and everyday it seems like someone is trying to strip that of us few traditionalist !!!

I feel your pain bro, they took it away from us in Houston. One day soon enough I hope to get it back. Good luck on the vote and if your goin down, go down in a blaze of glory.