(57) A combination head-protective helmet (20) and voice communication system (22, 22A, 22B) which provides generally a hands-free voice communication between a wearer of the helmet (10, 11, 12, 14) and another person, which comprises a combination head-protective helmet (20) and protective member (106, 200, 300) extending downwardly for covering and protecting at least the ears of the wearer of the helmet from heat and flame, and a transceiver (52) for transmitting and receiving voice communication. The transceiver includes interconnected transceiver circuitry (52A, 52B), a speaker (55, 55A, 55C), a microphone (54, 54A), and an antenna (53, 53A). The transceiver circuitry (52A, 52B) and the speaker (55, 55A, 55C) are mounted on the protective member (106, 200, 300) and the speaker is mounted on the protective member in a position to transmit voice communication to the wearer of the helmet, with the microphone (54, 54A) mounted on the combination head-protective helmet and protective member in a position to receive voice communication from the wearer of the helmet and the antenna resides within the helmet.