Which outlying department? PM if you'd prefer. I'm just curious. Got some friends who do the same.
Clean your helmet. Basil cell carcinoma (spelling?) Is nothing to screw with. Sticking your helmet in hot coals to get your leather patch seasoned looks cool but not worth the cancer that comes with it. Yeah. I've melted a couple face shields. Volunteering/EMT for dozen years after I did 9.5 in the guard. I gave my 20 of volunteer service to the state/local community. Lol
Glad to see more firefighters here!
Jackson Twp. Grove City. (I-71 @270, south end)
That was never stuck in coals...
Believe it or not that was scrubbed and hosed off. Black leather front to start with. Liners/ flaps washed regularly, too. That was year 10 on that hat, got a brand new one few months ago.
We have Barrier hoods and switch gear after every fire. We take it seriously.