Leatherhead (helmet)

Leatherhead (helmet)

The leatherhead, is a term used for an old style leather helmet used by some firefighters in the US and Canada. Leatherhead is also slang for a firefighter who uses the leather helmet. The leather helmet is also an international symbol of firefighters from the early years of firefighting. Although not a required component of the helmet, some firefighters wear a brass eagle adornment on the top of the helmet that secures a leather shield to the front of the helmet.

Eagle

The eagle has no particular significance and serves no practical purpose. Its origins can be traced to around 1825 when an unknown sculptor created a commemorative figure for the grave of a volunteer fireman. Firefighters were not wearing eagles prior to this, but it has been part of fire helmets ever since.

Drawbacks

The eagle ornament sticks up in the air, which causes it to catch its beak on window sashes, telephone wires and other obstacles. It frequently becomes dented, bent or knocked off. The eagle ornament is frequently criticized and it is said that it would be cheaper and safer to do away with the eagle. Many fire departments have already replaced the eagle and leather helmet with more modern plastic and composite helmets that have no eagle device. However, many firefighters still retain the old style leather helmet and eagle as a matter of tradition.

ee also

* F1 helmet
* Bushfire
* Country Fire Service
* FDNY
* Fire/Burglar alarms
* Fire apparatus
* Fire station
* Fireboat
* Fire safety
* Glossary of firefighting equipment
* Glossary of firefighting terms
* Glossary of wildland fire terms
* Incident Command System
* LAFD
* List of historic fires
* Smokejumper
* Smoke detector
* Water tender

External links

* [http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist/helmet.html San Francisco Fire Museum page] with pictures
* [http://www.fotobomberos.com/ FireFighters Photos "FotoBomberos.com"]
* [http://www.bomberoscaracas.gob.ve Bomberos Metropolitanos de Caracas]
* [http://bomberos.usb.ve Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios de la Universidad Simon Bolivar]


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