Helmet Chin Straps!!!

[Truckie5553]

Why do some firefighters think that the helmet strap is just a piece of cloth that is to be hooked across the back of the helmet instead of being used for its true meaning, to hold the helmet on your head!!! I would like to hear both sides of this. i know if the [email protected]#$ hits the fan, your helmet could be gone in a heart beat. So come on let me hear your reasonings behind it.

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Captain James Collier
McMahan Fire Rescue
KCTCS Area 6 Instructor

[570eck]

Fire eigineer has a good article on this, this month. As for me the chin strap goes in place everytime I go in.

[sloepoke1]

I am in TOTAL agreement with ya on this truckie!!! If you cannot take the time to don your P.P.E. properly, then why even wear it at all?

[CaptKup4]

I make it a point to ALWAYS secure my chin strap. Learned the hard way early in my career. Thought I looked cool with the strap across the back of my helmet when I lost it going onto a roof for ventilation. Right there in front of command and the rest I'm there staring down 20' at my helmet laying on the ground. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PPE.

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Captain Dave Kupfer
Metro West FPD
St. Louis County, MO

[D.C. Kron]

Used one about 30 years ago. Didn't much like it. Haven't used one since.

[Truck36CAPT]

I wear mine for interior operations, outside its across the back of the helmet. One thing I will say, with an N5A, properly sized and adjusted, mine has never fallen off.

[Da Sharkie]

I must agree. I know you asked for reasons not to wear the chin strap but it does frost me when guys, and gals don't. Just because you haven't lost your helmet yet, doesn't mean that you aren't going to. A lot of good that helmet does you when it DOES fall off. It will, most likely, fall off. A lot of guys just say it hasn't fallen off yet, or it's uncomfortable, or guys haven't been wearing them for years so why should I?. I personally have a milwaukee strap on my helmets. I love it. I don't have to fart around looking for a stupid little clip to try and get into the building. I think it is, overall, a failure of the command structure not to enforce the PPE rules. They are the ones ultimately responsible. My chief and officers won't let anyone near the building unless we are in full PPE - to include hood and helmet strap. We all know this and when we get to fire we don't go in until we are ready or we WILL get pulled and we WILL get rather stern lecture.

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I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything.

[E229Lt]

I've found if you clip the chinstrap on top of the helmet's Bourkes,(if you have them), you can quickly lower the Bourkes and the chinstrap falls into place.

$0.02

[postal79]

why wear the helmet if you dont use the strap if you make a quick move or look down...oops there goes your helmet, i leave mine strapped around the back when its on the shelves but the first thing i do when i grab it off the rack is unclip it that way its dangling against my cheek and is a reminder to strap it under my chin.. where it belongs, hence the name chin strap

[bfd1071]

hey E229lt, I'll have to remeber that if I ever put the chin strap back on the helmet. I have never worn it, And I dont know of anyperson in my dept that wears it.

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** The opionions are mine and mine alone, they are not that of my dept or the local**

[*LHS]

Wow, 20 years of so called experience and not enough common sense to wear your protective clothing properly. Now there is a legacy to be proud of, brag about and bring dishonor to the department via the stupidity of your members on a public forum.

Let's hope those who want to copy the old salt don't die or get seriously injuried mirroring you!

Might as well remove the helmet suspension too! It will make the helmet lighter! It won't be on your head when you need it anyway. Two deaths last year to FF's that were a result of contact after the helmet was knocked off.

Let's follow this thinking through to its logical conclusion. No need to chock the wheels, rigs rarely roll away. Don't bother with the outrigger pads it is quicker without them. Wear the air pack not the face peice, that way you meet sops and don't look like a whimp to your peers. Why test the hose, we use it every day. Dop as many things alone as possible, its quicker that way. Why test the aerial devices, they work fine. Why pay attention in class, you've already learned all there is to know. Go ahead short jack the ladder it won't fall over. Use the ladder at twice its tip load, it'll be fine. Why get fully dressed approaching the building or in the cab, you'll have plenty of time later. Don't turn the PASS on, if you need it you can always turn it on then. Drive like hell to all calls let God sort out the out come. Gloves, who needs them? Eye protection...that's for whimps. And the list goes on and on.

Freelance to your hearts content, you've gotten by with it this far.

[Philip C]

I'm in the Army and wearing the chinstrap on our helmets is not an option. I've been in different units and to different schools and chinstrap use is enforced across the board. Since that has been ingrained in me for years, I always wear it with my fire helmet. Take care and be safe.

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Phil Clinard
Laurel VFD
Prince George's Co Sta 10
Laurel, MD
www.laurelvfd.org

[PA Volunteer]

Wow ... I actually agree w/ LHS on something. Just kidding LHS, I've actually agreed w/ a lot of things ... it's the delivery that leaves a lot to be desired. Back on topic ... I'll admit, I don't always wear the chinstrap (AFA'S, MVA'S) but when I'm going inside I do, or if I'm up on the roof/ladder/tower. Heck, why not? It can't hurt anything, and I've finally gotten over that macho look thing.

Stay Safe

[cfr3504]

I have to admit, that mine stays on the back of my helmet a lot, but that's because we have many more MVA's, small brush fires, or general BS calls. But if I'm doing anything other than running the pump at a structure fire, my strap is on properly. This also goes for any other call where it's likely that my helmet can be knocked off, and put me in danger.

[hfdfao]

I've taken to wearing mine like e229lt and it works pretty well, also reminds me that its there.

*LHS who ****ed in your boot.......

Dave

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May your vents be leeward, your searches be negative, and your overhaul complete......
FTM-PTB-EGH