Dräger and MES Life Safety Partner to Expand AirBoss Access

Dräger announced a strategic partnership with MES Life Safety. 

“We are delighted to welcome MES Life Safety into the Dräger family as an authorized AirBoss distributor and service partner,” said John Wilson, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Dräger in the United States. “Our Partner network remains foundational to how we serve the fire service, and the addition of MES meaningfully expands our ability to support departments of every size. By extending our reach and strengthening service capability, this partnership enhances access to the right SCBA solutions while reinforcing the expertise, choice, and continuity our Partners deliver wherever U.S. firefighters serve.”

As part of this new partnership, MES Life Safety will serve as an Authorized Sales Partner for the Dräger PSS AirBoss self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and a Certified Dräger Service Center for warranty repairs on Dräger SCBAs. This coordination substantially strengthens Dräger’s network of support throughout the United States, acknowledging the AirBoss's strength as a convincing and top-tier SCBA option for fire departments across America.

Dräger will enhance its ability to serve fire departments across all regions by collaborating with MES Life Safety, which has a nationwide presence and employs over 200 sales representatives and 230 service technicians.

“The Dräger AirBoss expands our portfolio and allows MES to serve departments we don’t serve today,” said Marvin Riley, CEO of MES Life Safety. “This partnership is about expanding options and strengthening local support to meet the growing demands of the fire service.”

Dräger collaborates with over 50 reliable partners in fire service equipment across the United States. By incorporating MES into this network, all of the country’s 30,000+ fire departments will gain additional options for sales, support, and service. 

From major urban centers to rural areas, fire departments can rely on numerous local Authorized Dräger Partners across the United States, providing convenient access to the AirBoss SCBA and timely, professional maintenance assistance.

This alignment with strategy provides the fire service with a number of important advantages:

• The choice by MES Life Safety to include the AirBoss in their offerings, despite the fact that they still provide another competitive SCBA line, highlights the AirBoss SCBA’s status as a top option for firefighter respiratory protection. The Dräger AirBoss provides top-tier ergonomics, offering the comfort, mobility, reliability, and safety features that make it perfectly suited for American firefighters working in challenging conditions.
• With MES becoming a partner alongside over 50 existing Dräger collaborators, firefighters nationwide enjoy increased options and convenience when procuring the Dräger AirBoss SCBA. Dräger is committed to being present in every corner of the United States, and as part of that commitment, multiple authorized outlets for departments to evaluate and purchase this advanced SCBA solution are now available in every region.
• MES adds to Dräger’s expanding network of regional service locations designed to maximize equipment uptime and minimize repair turnaround, alongside eight other planned Dräger Service Centers. Fire departments can anticipate quicker warranty repairs and local technical assistance for their Dräger SCBAs, enhancing overall customer service and confidence.

Designed and engineered for American use, the Dräger PSS AirBoss SCBA is tailored to meet the needs of the U.S. market. The AirBoss was developed with direct input from U.S. firefighters from its initial concept to the final build. They called for an SCBA that moves with them, supports their aggressive interior attack style, and reduces stress in extreme heat and extreme intensity conditions.

Dräger took these needs into account and designed the AirBoss with the modern American fireground in mind. The outcome is a next-gen SCBA that firefighters can rely on for their lives.

In November 2025, the AirBoss was certified to meet the new NFPA 1970 standard for SCBA, confirming its compliance with the latest and most rigorous safety standards. This milestone guarantees that U.S. departments can confidently advance with AirBoss purchasing decisions that are in line with the latest NFPA requirements.

The AirBoss, now officially certified and available for purchase, offers next-generation protection with improved ergonomics, streamlined controls, and high-visibility indicators tailored to the needs of American firefighting.

About Dräger

Dräger is an international leader in the fields of safety and medical technology. Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Lübeck, Germany, Dräger has a global presence with subsidiaries around the world. The company first arrived in the United States in 1907 and has spent nearly 120 years saving American lives through its medical and safety technologies.

Dräger’s U.S. subsidiary, Draeger, Inc., is based in Telford, Pennsylvania, and Houston, Texas. The company’s guiding principle is “Technology for Life,” reflecting its mission to protect, support, and save lives. Dräger’s portfolio for first responders includes self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), equipment cleaning solutions, fire ground  gas detection, firefighter training systems, and other advanced safety equipment. Trusted by firefighters and emergency services globally, Dräger is committed to delivering innovative solutions that enable responders to confront hazards with confidence and come home safely. Learn more about the Dräger portfolio of products for firefighters at www.draeger.com/fire.

About MES Life Safety

MES Life Safety (Municipal Emergency Services, Inc.) is the largest supplier of self contained breathing apparatus and personal protective equipment to first responders in the United States. Headquartered in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, MES serves fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, and industrial safety customers nationwide. The company offers a broad range of firefighting and rescue gear – from turnout gear and SCBAs to rescue tools and gas detectors - representing leading brands in the industry. With a local network of more than 200 sales representatives and 90+ certified mobile service technicians across the country, MES provides unparalleled customer service, on-site training, and equipment maintenance. Decades of first responder experience and a “customer first” approach have made MES a trusted partner to thousands of emergency response agencies, dedicated to the mission of protecting those who protect others. Learn more by visiting www.meslifesafety.com.