Helmet and Boot Testing
Advanced design helmets and boots manufactured by Cairns & Brother, Clifton, N.J., has been released to the Project FIRES equipment program for testing in the field. The program was developed to make superior fire fighting gear available, and 20 fire departments will participate in the fieldtesting.
The Project FIRES helmet features a face shield that is mounted inside the helmet for better protection and longer life. The shell is made of a high-compression oriented fiber composite, and the impact cap has a polycarbonate plate in the foam inner liner.
The boots, manufactured by Cairns with Uniroyal products, will be tested as a 10-inch high model and a 16-inch high fold-down model, with Kevlar added to the metatarsal area to protect the foot from cuts and penetrations. A Nomex inner stocking, from toe to ankle, is abrasive, cut and tear resistant. Designed to protect the foot from extreme cold and heat, it also uses a nylon ¾ -inch tape to prevent chafing of the calf when in motion.
