TheFireStore, the online e-commerce arm of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. and a leading source for firefighting equipment and supplies, announced it has entered an agreement to supply Baltimore County, Md., with new and cutting-edge G1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), manufactured by MSA, Pittsburgh, Pa.
The new SCBAs feature several patent-pending design improvements, including the elimination of all electronic components from the facepiece. The new units are expected to be delivered to Baltimore County by the end of 2015.
Baltimore County’s decision to go with the new MSA model represents a switch in SCBA brands for the 3,538-member fire department. “This conversion to MSA marks a definitive change for the Maryland fire service market,” said James Witmer, TheFireStore’s VP of Sales.
Witmer added that Howard County, Anne Arundel County, and the Maryland Aviation Administration (BWI Airport) also all recently purchased the new MSA G1 SCBA. He expects this trend to continue throughout the U.S., as more and more fire departments evaluate the new MSA model and experience firsthand the many advantages the new SCBA design has to offer.
The MSA G1 Breathing Apparatus represents an entirely new and innovated approach to SCBA design and function. With one patent granted and 13 patents pending, the G1 SCBA was designed side-by-side with firefighters. The result is an SCBA that features a vastly lighter facepiece; a more ergonomic harness; improved weight distribution; a “Central Power” unit that powers the entire SCBA from a single battery compartment; darkness-and smoke-piercing “buddy lights” that provide visible indicators of critical air supply data from any angle; and improved voice amplification communications, all of which come standard on every MSA G1 SCBA. Together, these innovative features help deliver a higher overall level of safety for firefighters.
“Fire departments everywhere are discovering the immense benefits of this new SCBA platform,” said Witmer. “The Baltimore County SCBA Committee was committed to conducting a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of all SCBA models, and we are extremely excited that the MSA G1 and TheFireStore came out on top,” Witmer said. “This landmark contract was the result of solid teamwork, communication, and the perseverance of our entire sales team, combined with invaluable support from MSA.” In particular, Witmer recognized the efforts of TheFireStore sales representatives Kevin Greenlee, Kevin Moul, Mike Fink, and Greg McLyman.
“It’s hard to put into words how much respect I have for the whole team,” Greenlee said. “It was great working with such professional people.”
“Anytime you see a conversion of this magnitude, you know that you not only have a great product, but a tremendous team that helped demonstrate the many advantages of this new technology,” Witmer concluded.
About TheFireStore and Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc.
TheFireStore, a division of Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc., offers product lines from more than 400 manufacturers. Witmer Public Safety Group's motto is Equipping Heroes™, and this continues as they extend their commitment to provide the industry's best equipment and supplies to the professional men and women who serve to ensure the public's safety. For additional information, please call (800) 852-6088 or visit TheFireStore.com.
About MSA:
Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA’s core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection product, fire and rescue helmets, and fall protection devices. With 2014 revenues of $1.1 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,600 people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America.
For more information visit MSA’s web site MSAsafety.com.
