Self-Guiding Tour

#10  Helmets

Sou’westers – a rubber cap most commonly used as a rain hat, was used by firefighters from the early days of the department until the 1950’s. These caps kept a firefighter dry but offered no protection from falling debris.

After 1950, the department began offering the option of a metal helmet which offered more head protection while also keeping firefighters dry.

The helmets were colour coded to easily identify command staff on fire grounds. Black helmets identified fire fighters, yellow identified lieutenants, red helmets identified captains, and white helmets identified chiefs.

In the 1980’s, plastic helmets were replaced by fiberglass helmets; a material which is still used to this day.

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