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Black Helmet T-Shirt Helps Unemployed Firefighter Find Work

Orlando Fireman Wears T-Shirt to Wal-Mart, Gets Noticed, and Lands His Dream Job in a Tough Economy

Rafiq Pringle's childhood dream was to be a firefighter. It's been a long road, but the 29-year-old suburban Orlando man is finally there. All thanks to a T-shirt.

Pringle graduated from the Fire Academy last November but couldn't find a job. Then it happened. He was wearing a Black Helmet Apparel T-shirt to a Wal-Mart when another firefighter took notice of the artwork. That firefighter ended up offering him job. He began training Dec. 15.

"The shirt kicked everything off," Pringle said. "From the 3 a.m. call with a 95-year-old woman with chest pains to coming on shift and washing the truck, I'm looking forward to all of it. It's the entire lifestyle that I really fell in love with."

Pringle discovered Black Helmet Apparel while looking for shirts that represent the firefighter lifestyle online. The shirt he was wearing in Wal-Mart displayed a tribute to 9-11 firefighters. All Black Helmet designs are hand drawn and unique. The one-of-a-kind cutting edge imagery depicts the fearless but frightening side of the important job of fighting fires.

Pringle credits Black Helmet Apparel for his bright future, which includes his 10-month-old daughter and upcoming wedding. "It's amazing that what I chose to wear that particular day changed my life," Pringle said. "I cannot wait to begin serving my country as a firefighter."

Love said his apparel represents the brotherhood of firefighters with style and attention-getting design. "Pringle's story is proof that these T-shirts are gaining attention," he said. "Firefighters all over the country are contacting us. But this call was worth more than all of them. Congratulations, Pringle!"

For more information or to order Black Helmet Apparel, visit www.blackhelmetapparel.com.

About Black Helmet Apparel

Black Helmet Apparel, which takes its name from leather fire helmets from the 1800s, was founded by a fireman for firefighters. All the designs are hand drawn, and unique. Customers will not find any designs made from clip art. Instead, they will find unique, cutting-edge imagery that relays the fearless, but frightening side of a fireman's job. One look should invoke the feeling a firefighter feels on the way to the column and the satisfaction they feel once the fire is out.