MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are continuing to help volunteer fire departments obtain essential turnout gear through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Two more departments have received four new sets of gear, bringing the total number of recipients to six so far this year. A total of 13 departments will each receive four new sets of state-of-the-art turnouts in 2019 in order to increase firefighter safety.
Launched in 2012, the program is designed to support local fire departments in the U.S. and Canada that struggle to maintain adequate protection for their personnel due to budgetary constraints. To date, 479 sets of gear have been distributed to departments in need.
The latest recipients of MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway are the Fuego Volunteer Fire Company (Billings, MT) and the Harbour Grace (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Fuego Volunteer Fire Company (Billings, MT)
Fuego Volunteer Fire Company (FVFC) was established in 1988 by four landowners who were located outside of fire protection service areas. Today, FVFC consists of six volunteers, and it is the county’s only fire protection service – focusing primarily on grass fires in the local community. FVFC recently purchased a used pumper truck to expand the department’s capacity to provide structure protection and vehicle fire services. The trucks are currently located in a commercial heated storage unit about 30 minutes away from FVFC’s response area, and recent efforts have been focused on getting a local fire station built.
“Fuego has been seeking donations and grants for the building on donated land,” explained Assistant Fire Chief Larry Carpenter. “This leaves little operational money for new structure fire gear.”
Harbour Grace (Newfoundland and Labrador, CA) Volunteer Fire Brigade
Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade (HGVFB) provides fire protection to a small community of about 4,500, vehicle extraction and cold water rescue services for four other departments serving nine communities, and high angle rescue services for 14 departments serving 27 communities. Budgetary constraints have made it difficult for the department to comply with the National Fire Protection Association’s standard of replacing turnout gear every 10 years, and most of the department’s helmets are 18 years old.
“Securing this equipment will move our department so much further ahead in our gear replacement and free up valuable funds for other equipment,” said training officer Paul Snow.
Additional MSA Globe Gear Giveaway awards will be made monthly throughout 2019. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook page, as well as the Globe Facebook page, for additional information and announcements.
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 product line 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 products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel, and fall protection devices. With 2018 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,800 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 at www.MSAsafety.com.
About DuPont Personal Protection
DuPont Personal Protection is a business unit of DuPont Safety & Construction. From first responders to industrial workers, DuPont provides a wide range of personal protection solutions including some of the most trusted and innovative brands in the industry, such as Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek®, and Tychem® to meet your safety needs. More information can be found at www.personalprotection.dupont.com.
About DuPont Safety & Construction
DuPont Safety & Construction is a global leader in delivering innovation for life’s essential needs in water, shelter and safety; enabling its customers to win through unique capabilities, global scale and iconic brands including DuPont™ Corian®, Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek®, GreatStuff™, Styrofoam™ and Filmtec®.
About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
