Every culture has icons. Some are timeless, while others pass as human preferences change. Modern industries have evolved from past popular images and perceptions. Like other older societal symbols that sometimes fade, Dirty Helmet Syndrome denotes a habit among firefighters that is falling out of fashion. Like smoking, wearing firefighting gear thickly layered with carcinogens and dangerous toxins is becoming uncool.
A Past Symbol of Mettle
In past days, firefighters took pride in sporting dirty gear. Their smoke-smeared kit showed they were where the action was, down in the trenches, eating smoke and working hard. As knowledge about the dangers of fireground poisons increases, the act of sporting dirty gear that has not been decontaminated at the site is frowned upon and discouraged.
Safe Mindsets
Firefighters must think quickly in the midst of dramatic danger. They must also think clearly. Today, the focus is on operating with an overall focus on safety. Even at unpredictable and dramatic fire scenes, firefighters must remain consummately dedicated to protecting not only residents but each other as well.
There are offensive, defensive, and transitional techniques for fighting fires. Nonstop aggressive approaches can create dangerous conditions, even at relatively controllable, safe fire sites. Younger firefighters, in particular, can be prone to hardline tactics even when they are unnecessary. As the mindset shifts from swaggering bravado that can actually create risks to strategies designed for safety, firefighters must adjust to new perceptions both within fire departments and society at large.
Embracing New Ways
Change can be difficult for many people. This is especially true if work duties entail actions wrapped in cultural ideas and fantasies. Firefighters are learning to surrender the iconic perception that they must heedlessly rush into danger and accepting planning and strategizing to bring about the safest and best outcome for all.
Fires are hazardous enough. Physical dangers come from fire and smoke as well as chemicals in building materials and structure contents such as furniture, carpeting, and fabrics. The Dirty Helmet Syndrome is a name for failing to value safety first and take simple steps to protect everyone. In short, wearing carcinogens and toxins is no longer a sign of honor.
The Bottom Line
Choosing safety and health over egos run riot is not always easy, but the movement to do so is on among firefighters. Ironically, just as offensive firefighting techniques are aggressive, the move to decontaminate gear is also an offensive choice. Aggressive cleaning, however, is focused purely on safety. Firefighting peers and the public all benefit. Just as quality insurance coverage is vital for fire departments, organized methods for safety, from firefighting techniques to gear decontamination, are also essential and are now valued and even expected. Now, the mark of a brave firefighter is caring for others in every way.
About Provident Fire Plus
At Provident Fire Plus, we offer custom tailored packages to best protect firefighters and volunteer firefighters. We understand the risks that emergency response teams are subjected to on a daily basis, and have worked to serve these dedicated professionals for over 87 years. For more information about our products and policies, we invite you to contact our experts today at (855) 201-8880.