Firefighting. Firefighter using a prototype of the Head Protection System (HPS) while extinguishing a fire. The system was designed when a French company, Gallet, realised that firefighters faced different threats, depending on the job at hand. Gallet linked up with other European companies to develop a helmet which can be adapted to meet the needs of four different areas - forestery, rescue and technical work, chemical hazards and firefighting in buildings. The basic 'carrier system' is common to all four areas and is modified by adding components, such as a lamp or face shield, as needed. Photographed in France in June 2000.