The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is inviting proposals for Supply and Delivery of Structural Firefighting Helmets.

Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue is seeking proposals to define a new standard Structural Fire Fighting helmet for all of their members. The Structural Firefighting helmet is used while performing critical operations in a variety of applications, including but not limited to structural firefighting and technical rescue. Chatham-Kent Fire views the health and safety of its members in the highest priority and thus, it demands the highest performance out of the helmets they use. A high level of protection, comfort, adjustability, weight, stability/balance, ease of cleaning and customization are all key factors in terms of performance.

It is the desire of Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue to bring uniformity and consistency to the colour of helmets used by Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue members within a rank, i.e., Auxiliary Firefighters wearing yellow helmets, members with the rank of Firefighter wearing black helmets, members with the rank of Captain or other Officers wearing red helmets, members with the rank of Chief wearing white helmets and members of all other positions wearing blue helmets, regardless of rank. 

It is also the desire of Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue to incorporate member identification through a “traditional” leather front shield on each helmet. Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue currently utilizes variety of vinyl stickers on the helmets including rank, number and often name on the sides and rear with Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue logo sticker on the front. Station identification is currently achieved through the firefighter numbering system stickers on the sides of the helmet.

Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue realizes that different moving to a new “traditional” style of helmet may require a departure from the current method of achieving member identification, apparatus and rank identification and appreciates alternative suggestions and ideas for the layout and design of a front leather patch from Proponents. It is our goal to keep the base helmet clear of all individual stickers making the replacement of helmets much easier. It is also the desire of Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue to move away from individual number identification.