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Blitz in London -- improvised shoulder protectors

Blitz in London -- improvised shoulder protectors


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Blitz in London -- improvised shoulder protectors

Blitz in London -- the London Fire Brigade innovated to protect its fire crews from injury from falling debris by utilising old rubber tyres, cut to form shoulder protectors, that were meant to be worn over the fire tunic. However their introduction did not bring about widespread usage amongst the firefighters themselves

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Media ID 7637699

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

1941 Blitz Debris Falling Injury Innovation Innovative Protect Protection Protector Protectors Rubber Safety Shoulder Tyre Tyres Firefighter Firefighters Firefighting Fireman Firemen Made


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> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Fire Brigade

> Historic > World War I and II > Military equipment

> Mary Evans Prints Online > London Fire Brigade


EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, a London Fire Brigade firefighter stands proudly in front of his fire engine during the Blitz of World War II. The year is 1941, and the intensity of the conflict is palpable in the smoky, war-torn backdrop. The firefighter wears the traditional fire service uniform of the era, complete with a red helmet, leather boots, and a heavy, protective tunic. However, a closer look reveals an unconventional addition to his gear – improvised shoulder protectors made from old rubber tyres. During the Blitz, the London Fire Brigade faced a unique challenge: protecting its fire crews from injury caused by falling debris. In response to this danger, the brigade innovatively repurposed discarded rubber tyres. These tyres were cut and shaped to fit over the firefighters' shoulders, providing an extra layer of protection against falling debris. Despite the ingenuity of this solution, the adoption of these tyre protectors was not universally embraced by the firefighters themselves. Some found them cumbersome and uncomfortable, preferring the tried-and-true methods of the past. Nevertheless, the London Fire Brigade's use of these makeshift protectors represents an important moment in the history of firefighting safety. This photograph, taken in the 1940s, captures a poignant moment in the service's history. The firefighter stands ready, embodying the courage and resilience of the London Fire Brigade during the tumultuous Blitz era. The old tyre protectors, while unconventional, symbolize the innovative spirit and resourcefulness that characterized the wartime fire service.

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