Impact Rescue Safety Team

07/14/2026

🪖 Track Rescue Tuesday: Closed-Face vs. Turtle Shell Helmets

When people think about motorsports helmets, they often picture race car drivers. But one group that’s often overlooked is the men and women responsible for keeping everyone else safe.

Whether you’re a firefighter, EMT, safety worker, cleanup crew member, wrecker operator, track official, or flagger, one question deserves serious consideration:

What helmet offers the best protection when you leave the safety of the infield or step out of your response vehicle?

Today we’re comparing two common styles used around racetracks—the closed-face helmet and the turtle shell (open-face) helmet.

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🪖 Closed-Face Helmet

(Featured: G-Force Full-Face Helmet)

Advantages

✅ Full protection for your face, chin, and jaw

✅ Better protection from flying debris, dirt, rocks, and broken race car parts

✅ Better protection from fire, heat, fuel, and other fluids

✅ Shields your eyes without relying solely on safety glasses

✅ Reduced wind noise for improved radio communication

✅ Excellent choice for extrication, fire suppression, and working around damaged race cars

Considerations

• Can become warmer during long incidents

• Reduced airflow compared to an open-face helmet

• Safety glasses may fog if not properly ventilated

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🪖 Turtle Shell (Open-Face) Helmet

(Featured: G-Force Open-Face Helmet)

Advantages

✅ Excellent peripheral vision

✅ Better airflow during hot weather

✅ Lightweight and comfortable for long events

✅ Easier face-to-face communication

Considerations

• No protection for the chin or jaw

• Face remains exposed to debris, fuel, and fluids

• Requires quality eye protection

• Offers less protection during fire or extrication operations

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It’s More Than Just Going Over the Wall

Helmet safety isn’t limited to one specific job.

If your responsibilities require you to leave the safety of the infield or step out of your response vehicle and onto the racing surface, you’re entering an environment where conditions can change instantly.

Whether you’re responding from a:

• 🚒 Fire & Rescue Truck
• 🚑 Ambulance
• 🚛 Cleanup Truck
• 🛻 Safety Pickup
• 🛺 Side-by-Side (UTV)
• 🏍️ Four-Wheeler (ATV)
• 🚧 Any response vehicle operating on the racing surface

…the hazards remain the same.

Moving race cars.

Flying debris.

Loose wheels.

Broken suspension parts.

Fire.

Fuel.

Fluids.

Unpredictable crash scenes.

Your helmet may be the only thing between those hazards and a life-changing injury.

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Don’t Forget the Flaggers

Another group that deserves to be part of this conversation is our flaggers.

Every race, they stand in one of the most exposed locations at the facility. While they may not be directly involved in rescue operations, they’re still vulnerable to flying debris, loose parts, tire failures, and out-of-control race cars.

While not every sanctioning body requires helmets for flaggers, a properly fitted motorsports helmet is another layer of protection that’s well worth considering.

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My Recommendation

Both helmet styles have their place in motorsports, and each offers advantages depending on the job being performed.

However, for track rescue personnel, I believe a closed-face helmet offers the greatest level of protection.

When we’re responding to crashes, we work around damaged race cars, sharp metal, hot components, fire, fluids, and airborne debris. The additional protection around the face and jaw can make a significant difference when the unexpected happens.

No matter which style you choose, make sure your helmet:

✔ Meets DOT FMVSS No. 218 (equivalent) certification (or the requirements of your sanctioning body)

✔ Fits properly with minimal movement

✔ Is compatible with your communication equipment

✔ Is inspected regularly and replaced after any significant impact

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Final Thoughts

Personal Protective Equipment isn’t about comfort—it’s about going home.

If your job requires you to leave the safety of the infield or step out of your response vehicle onto the racing surface, you should strongly consider wearing a motorsports helmet.

The best helmet isn’t necessarily the most expensive one.

It’s the one that’s on your head before the emergency begins.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and we’ll see you next Track Rescue Tuesday. 🏁🚑🪖

07/10/2026

**PRESS RELEASE**

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nebraska — July 10, 2026

National Track Safety Association (NTSA) Announces Formation Effort to Strengthen Motorsports Safety Through Professional Standards, Practical Education, and Connection
The National Track Safety Association (NTSA) today announced the formation of a new nonprofit membership association dedicated to improving safety and professionalism across grassroots and regional motorsports. NTSA is being built to serve the people responsible for preventing, managing, and responding to incidents at motorsports venues—bringing together disciplines that too often operate separately.
NTSA is currently in the final stages of filing required formation paperwork and is preparing to launch its first wave of member resources and educational programming.

A Practical, Grassroots-Focused Mission

NTSA’s mission is to strengthen motorsports safety through professional standards, practical education, and meaningful connection among the people responsible for protecting drivers, participants, workers, and spectators.
“Motorsports safety is a system,” said Jake Kruse, Co-founder and organizer. “Fire, EMS, recovery, officials, race control, teams, and venue leadership all play a role—and when those groups don’t share tools, terminology, and expectations, performance suffers. NTSA exists to close that gap with practical resources and consistent education that can be used at the next event.”

What NTSA Is — and What It Is Not

NTSA is designed to be an education-and-resources association that supports better preparation and coordination across disciplines. In its first year, NTSA will focus on publishing model templates, hosting practical learning sessions, and building a trusted network of peers.
NTSA is not intended to replace sanctioning bodies, emergency medical agencies, equipment standards organizations, or existing scientific organizations. NTSA will also not operate as a regulator, accreditation program, or enforcement authority during its initial phase.

Member Value: Tools, Education, and a Trusted Network

NTSA’s Year-One member value is built around consistent delivery and real-world usefulness, including:
Practical templates and model tools to support pre-event planning, communications, and post-incident learning
Virtual education sessions and case-study discussions focused on real operations and lessons learned
Cross-discipline connection through member meetings, working groups, and peer support
Regular updates and resource releases to ensure members see predictable value throughout the year
NTSA’s approach emphasizes practical application and accessibility—supporting the volunteer-led and part-time professionals who make up much of grassroots motorsports safety.

Membership Updates

NTSA will offer affordable dues and a simple membership structure. Membership enrollment will open after formation paperwork is complete.
For updates on timing, announcements, and next steps, the public is encouraged to follow the NTSA page.

Call for Founding Support

NTSA is welcoming founding supporters, contributors, and mission-aligned partners who want to help build a credible, member-driven association focused on professionalism, education, and coordination.
Individuals and organizations interested in contributing expertise or supporting early programming can contact NTSA using the information below.

Media Contact
National Track Safety Association (NTSA)
Email: [email protected]

07/07/2026

Track Rescue Tuesday: Are Your Gloves Helping You… or Hurting You?

One of the most overlooked pieces of PPE on a track rescue team is your gloves.

A lot of people grab the $15 pair of mechanic’s gloves from the local auto parts store and call it good. For changing oil or working in the garage, that’s probably fine. But when you’re responding to a race car that’s been on fire, cutting sheet metal, or working around hot exhaust components, “good enough” isn’t good enough.

Let’s break it down.

Basic Mechanic’s Gloves

Pros:

* Great dexterity
* Comfortable
* Affordable

Cons:

* Little to no thermal protection
* Minimal cut and puncture resistance
* Not designed for rescue environments

These gloves simply aren’t built for the hazards we face during track rescue.

Extrication Gloves

Extrication gloves, like those from Ringers, offer excellent protection against sharp metal, broken glass, and puncture hazards. They’re a solid choice for vehicle rescue.

The downside? Most don’t provide the thermal barrier needed when you’re working around hot body panels, exhaust systems, brake components, or fire. They protect against cuts—but heat is another story.

Structural Fire Gloves

Structural firefighting gloves provide outstanding heat and flame protection while still offering cut resistance.

The tradeoff is dexterity.

Anyone who’s tried to remove a window net pin, disconnect a battery, or operate a rescue tool while wearing bulky fire gloves knows exactly what I’m talking about.

So What Are We Looking For?

There isn’t one “perfect” glove for every rescue. The goal is to find a glove that offers the best balance of protection and dexterity for the environment you’re working in.

When shopping for gloves, look for these features:

✅ Flame-resistant materials (SFI, FIA, NFPA, or equivalent)

✅ Cut and puncture protection

✅ Impact protection across the knuckles and fingers

✅ Excellent dexterity for operating radios, window nets, battery disconnects, and rescue tools

✅ Grip in wet, oily, or fuel-covered conditions

✅ Enough thermal protection to safely handle hot body panels, brakes, exhaust components, and small fire exposure

Several manufacturers build gloves that fit this role, including Mechanix, HexArmor, Ringers, Youngstown, Wiley X, and PIG. Each offers different levels of protection, dexterity, and comfort, so take the time to evaluate what works best for your team and your operating environment.

The important thing isn’t the logo on the glove—it’s whether the glove is designed for the hazards you’ll actually encounter on pit road or during a track rescue.

The bottom line is simple:

Your hands are your most valuable rescue tool. Protect them with gloves designed for the job—not just the cheapest pair hanging on the rack.

07/04/2026

06/30/2026

🏁 Track Rescue Tuesday

PPE: Do you have it and is it rated?

When a track rescue team responds to a crash, we’re running toward the danger while everyone else is moving away. That’s why Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of the most important pieces of equipment we have.

Your PPE is your last line of defense against fire, heat, sharp metal, debris, and the unpredictable hazards that come with motorsports.

A properly equipped track rescue responder should have:

• 🔥 Fire-resistant suit
• 🪖 Helmet with eye protection
• 🧤 Fire-resistant extrication gloves
• 👢 Leather or fire-resistant boots with good ankle support
• 🧣 Flame-resistant hood (Nomex)
• 👓 Eye protection
• 👂 Hearing protection when needed

Why Fire Ratings Matter

Not all fire suits offer the same level of protection.

Two of the most common standards you’ll see in motorsports are SFI and FIA certifications.

🇺🇸 SFI Foundation

SFI certifications (such as SFI 3.2A/5, 3.2A/10, and higher) are commonly used throughout North American motorsports. The higher the rating, the greater the thermal protection and the more time the suit can help protect the wearer during a fire before heat transfer reaches the skin. Higher-rated suits generally include additional layers of fire-resistant material.

🌍 FIA

FIA-certified suits are widely used in international racing. Rather than using the SFI numbering system, FIA certification requires suits to meet strict performance requirements for flame resistance, heat transfer, and overall construction. FIA standards are common in series sanctioned by international governing bodies.

One Is Not Necessarily Better Than the Other

Neither SFI nor FIA certification is inherently “better.” They’re simply different certification systems with different testing protocols. The important thing is wearing PPE that meets the requirements of the series you’re working and that is appropriate for the risks you’ll face.

PPE Is More Than Just a Suit

Your fire suit is only one part of the equation. Your helmet, gloves, hood, boots, and other protective equipment all work together as a complete system. A high-quality fire suit can lose much of its effectiveness if the rest of your PPE leaves exposed areas or doesn’t provide comparable protection.

The best rescue teams inspect their PPE regularly, replace damaged or worn equipment, and train in the same gear they’ll wear on race day. When the call comes over the radio, there won’t be time to wonder if your gear is up to the task.

The driver is counting on you. Make sure your PPE is something you can count on, too.

Question for this week’s discussion:
How often does your team inspect or replace its PPE? Share your department or track’s policy in the comments.

06/28/2026

We are racing at Anderson

06/27/2026

Happy birthday to the man who was one of the biggest parts in getting us where we are today! Martin, we hope you enjoy your day!!