There is no "set in stone" standard for the color of helmets. Until the 1980's it was common for firefighters to have black helmets. Only chiefs had a different color and that was white. Officers would have an emblem on their black helmets. New helmet design gives us a choice of colors. Captains often have red helmets and Chiefs are usually white. A national consensus is emerging but some departments apparently are clinging to their own traditions. Some departments will have a color for lieutenants while others do not. You may find that EMS personnel have a specific color of helmet in some communities while in others they simply reflect the rank. In parts of the U.S., officers will have red or white helmets while firefighters (the firefighter) will have yellow. As you go east you will find black as the more common color for firefighters. LA has yellow helmets. NY has black. Dallas has yellow for non-officers while Houston uses black for firefighters. Luckily you will often find a written out rank position on the helmet.*

You may also find different styles of helmets within the same department. This may mean nothing. A department my decide to go to a different style of helmet as replacements are needed. Some departments allow members to purchase their own helmets. Even personally owned gear must comply with national safety standards.*

Hudson Fire Department helmet colors generally indicate the following:

• White - Chief or Assistant Chief
• Red - Captain
• Black - Lieutenant
• Yellow - Firefighter
• Green - Safety Officer

A helmet is a very personal thing to a firefighter. Full-fledged firefighters are allowed to keep the helmet issued to them by the department upon retirement.