The answer is YES, and the reason is because of Lester (Les) Bourke.

In the early 1960s, eye protection was not widely used among firefighters. That would change after Les Bourke (fireman in Engine 231) was hit in the face with a piece of angle iron during a fire.

Les was on the nozzle inside a burning auto repair garage, when the hose spray hit a piece of angle iron that then hit him forehead, right under the brim of his helmet. The force of the hit knocked Les to the ground and left him momentarily blinded by the blood gushing from his forehead.

Although the cut healed over time, Les was left with a desire to find a way to protect his eyes from dangerous objects he encountered while firefighting.

The result was the invention of the "Bourke Eye Shield", used to this day to protect firefighter's eyes.

Now it's your turn. If you have a story that you'd like to submit, or have an idea for a story please let us know. Send it to: fdnytales@Fire-Police-EMS.com

Thanks, Ira Hoffman