Entwicklung des Kopfschutzes fuer den Feuerwehrmann

Firebrigade helmets in the Netherlands
Summary
The fireman’s helmet first appeared in the Netherlands, when in 1874 the municipality of
Amsterdam commissioned a professional fire brigade. After comparing the helmets abroad,
they chose for the Prussian model with the comb of the French and British helmets. Other fire
brigades used hats or caps, mostly for ease of distinction or protection from water or weather.
The fame of the Amsterdam Fire Brigade initiated the use of the leather helmets by the State
Constabulary and later other police forces and newly formed professional fire brigades as The
Hague (1889) and Groningen (1910). In the twenties of the 20 th century more and more fire
brigades took over the existing fire helmet. Many brigades chose for a cheaper version with a
triangle comb and less brass.
At the start of the Second World War the Amsterdam Fire Brigade lost two of its members
by shrapnel, after which they switched to the steel army helmet. These became available in
great numbers after the demobilisation of the Dutch army. The Royal crest was taken off, neck
protection mounted and they were varnished black. Newly formed brigades and the Air Raid
Protection services, erected because of the new legislation of the occupying forces were also
issued the former army helmets.
After the war the army type helmet was still long in use with the smaller municipal, works,
or auxiliary fire brigades, although the British army helmet type and German fire helmet with
comb were also found in many places.
In 1967 the Dutch designed their own synthetic and safer fire helmet, which was still modelled
very much to the old leather helmet with comb and brass. From 1985 a safer and more streamlined
model was introduced, still with a recognizable comb. In 1989 Dräger presented the Galet
helmet that could be integrated with the breathing apparatus set. From the millennium on these
became more or less the standard in the Netherlands, be it that names and makes are regularly
subject to change.
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