The battle over the traditional fire helmet and what I’ll call the “Eurohelmet” is growing, as some U.S. departments are making the switch. It’s hard to nail down exactly why firefighters are unhappy about wearing the new style helmets. After all, they’re safer, they weigh less, and they offer better eye protection.
The older style is undoubtedly iconic. But is that a reason to keep wearing them?
Here to explain why his department chose the new Eurostyle helmets is Jerry Helm, a training and recruitment captain with the Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue in Washington, a combination department. Helm headed the effort to make the switch.
