Why Does a Firemen's Helmet Have A Big Brim?

Firemen's Helmet

The big brim is designed to shed water so it won’t run down the fireman’s neck when he’s fighting a fire.

Nothing causes quite so much excitement in our everyday lives as the wall of a fire-engine siren.  It screams a warning to people to get out of the way of a fire truck as it roars through the streets on its way to a fire.

A fireman works around lots of water when he’s fighting a fire.  He wears a large, sturdy helmet to protect his head from falling debris and to keep from being drenched by water spray.

The broad brim on his helmet turns up on the sides and down at the back.  It catches the water.

Then, the water runs down and off the big brim to the rear, instead of down the fireman’s neck.

On each helmet is a shield with the fireman’s number.  A fireman also wears a heavy canvas or rubber coat and thick rubber boots.  His coat and boots help keep him from getting cold and wet but they do more than this.

They help project him from burning embers and other hazards, too. – Dick Rogers

What is St. Elmo’s Fire?

St. Elmo's Fire

St. Elmo’s Fire is the flash of light that is seen around ships in a thunder storm.  It is an electrical discharge caused by the storm.

St. Elmo’s Fire is the name sailors have given to the sudden glow of ghostly flames that can sometimes be men flickering around ships in stormy weather.

The “fire” is actually a charge of electricity that builds up in the ship as it sails along in the storm.

When enough electricity has built up, the ship discharges its electrical overload into the air in a flesh of light that looks like fire as it fizzes and crackles around the tall masts.

This kind of electricity isn’t strong enough to hurt you – but it may make your fingers tingle.

“St. Elmo” is the nickname of Saint Erasmus, guardian saint of Mediterranean sailors.  They once believe that St. Elmo’s fire was a sign that he was watching over their ships and protecting them during storms.

Sometimes you can see St. Elmo’s Fire on land during thunderstorms, flickering from tail church steeples and treetops. -Dick Rogers