Traditional vs. Metro 660

[TRUDAROOF]

While profiling professional departments throughout Florida and have noticed in the pics that most guys are wearing the Metro 660 helmet or an equivilant. Myself personnally I dont care much for them but there has to be more to it than that. Is there something about this style of helmet that you Florida boys know about. It seems to be the norm throughout the state with the exception of only a few that I have seen in my travels. Aside from less expensive I thought it may be cooler, lighter, etc. Here up North if they tried to thrust anything less than a traditional style lid on us we'de run them out of town. I figured it must be something with the hot weather as I see the California and other west coast FD sporting the 660. It cant be the firefighters choice for looks and tradition so its got to be a $$ or performance thing. Someone let me know whats up down there as any info/feedback is always appreciated. Secondly, are there any Florida career FD's wearing leathers these days?

[blaze519]

There is a few in Fla. that use the traditional style helmet. The only one in my area that I can think of, is the City of Tampa. I think cost has a lot to do with the style, and the fact that they are worn more on mva's, and tech. rescues than in fires.

[Tanker_3]

It's all about the leathers!!!!!!!!!

[Tanker_3]

Those helmets are SWEET!!!!!! If it weren't for the huge shield, would've gotten one of those. Good luck with the new helmets.

[Vollies Suck]

Having worn both traditionally styled helmets and the more modern style over the years, I can see virtues and problems with both.

I never thought I would say this, but I actually prefer the 660 Metro to the traditional styled fire helmets. It stays on my head better when I wear an SCBA, and is more comfortable to wear.

[regs1]

I used leather, great but heavy, same with the Ben Franklin 2. I used the 660's for about 6 years, then dept switched to the 1010's, except for the goggles, I prefer the cairns 1010 helmet, a little lighter than the other but does have the traditional look to them.

Now to switch the question a little, what colors are used for firefighters, officers, probationers, and EMS people?
I seen F/F wear yellow, black etc, Seen officers wear black, white helmets, or some combination, ems usually wear blue, or orange, probationers wear everything from red to red shield, all this depending upon the department.

[Eng235]

anyone needing a black 1010 or a white 1010 helmet pm myself for info

[38-3]

Up here in the hills of WV in my dept, we use 660 metros. Officer's have different colors while firefighters wear yellow. Chief - white, Capt - Red, Lieut - blue, Engineer - black.