The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working to develop a next-generation firefighting helmet that protects against both fire and ballistics.

Because firefighters are also called upon to respond to active shooter events, crowd and terrorist incidents, disaster response and hazardous material mitigation, threats to firefighter safety can include bullets in addition to fire. As such, firefighters tend to carry two helmets — one for fire and one for bullets — which is inefficient.

Source: Cory Asato/U.S. Navy

Consequently, the DHS is hoping to develop a helmet that provides protection from both fire and ballistics, and that can also accommodate features such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) gear, integrated communications and lights built into the helmet or that can easily mount to the helmet. Further, the agency doesn’t want the helmet to weigh too much.

“The NextGen Firefighter Helmet will be designed with a shell that can absorb energy during impact and rapidly dissipates it without injuring the skull or brain. While the current materials used in both firefighter and military helmets are inadequate for the temperature and ballistic protection being sought, they provide a useful blueprint for future innovation,” said a spokesperson from the DHS in a release. “For example, Kevlar fiber has a melting point of 1040° F and has proven highly effective in ballistic helmets and body armor. Similarly, polyester resins used in current firefighter headgear can have glass transition temperatures (the point at which it becomes hard and brittle) as high as 386.6° F. The idea is that thermosetting resins can be reinforced with Kevlar fiber, creating a shell that meets both the thermal and ballistic protection requirements of the NextGen Firefighter Helmet.”

A prototype of the NextGen Firefighter Helmet is expected to be developed by mid-2023.