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Firefighter Health and Safety

A Changing World

Firefighting is invaluable to our communities, but it isn't easy. It's hot, hazardous, and let's face it, grueling. With the fireground dynamic changing from increased heat loads and toxic substances, the job today is more dangerous than ever.

When you're battling a fire and it's burning hotter and faster, seconds matter. Being well-trained, physically fit, and safely equipped can make all the difference.

Why We Do What We Do

At MSA, your health, safety and well-being are what drive us to not only develop technologically-advanced safety equipment to help protect you on the job, but to advocate for your well-being. In fact, after more than 100 years in business, our mission remains unchanged: that men and women may work in safety and live in health.

The MSA Mission Since 1914:

That men and women may work in safety and that they, their families, and their communities may live in health throughout the world.

Advocates For Cancer Awareness

#KeepYourMaskOn

According to the CDC and NIOSH, firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer1. Significant preventative measures have been identified that firefighters can take immediately, including: Use SCBA from initial attack through completion of overhaul2. Although this alone does not eliminate all risk, it is a significant safety measure that should be adhered to. There are many preventative measures firefighters can take outside of their PPE usage, and it is advised by FCSN that firefighters follow all the organization's recommended cancer prevention directives.

At MSA, we're setting the pace for safety with continuous improvements and innovations in PPE. For today. For tomorrow. For the future.

1 Daniels RD et al. Occup Environ Med doi:10.1136/oemed 2013-101662, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/pdfs/OEM_FF_Ca_Study_10-2013.pdf
2 "Taking Action against Cancer in the Fire Service," Firefighter Cancer Support Network, August 2013, https://firefightercancersupport.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/taking-action-against-cancer-in-the-fire-service-pdf.pdf

Products Developed For Firefighter Health and Safety – NFPA-approved

3/4-pound lighter than traditional designs, for more comfortable wear over longer periods of time Learn More

G1 SCBA Facepiece

3/4-pound lighter than traditional designs, for more comfortable wear over longer periods of time

NEW MATERIAL OPTION: MSA is now offering a G1 Facepiece in an alternate hycar formulation. This alternative formulation will accommodate the minimal number of users who experience skin sensitivity while wearing a G1 facepiece made of standard hycar material.

Multi-position adjustable lumbar pad allows customizable sizing for more comfortable wear for longer periods of time Learn More

G1 SCBA Ergonomics

Multi-position adjustable lumbar pad allows customizable sizing for more comfortable wear for longer periods of time

Fit like jeans to enhance performance and comfort while ensuring protection and safety

GLOBE PANT SYSTEM

Fit like jeans to enhance performance and comfort while ensuring protection and safety

Designed to help reduce exposure to toxic substances without significant added heat stress Learn More

GLOBE GUARD SYSTEM

Designed to help reduce exposure to toxic substances without significant added heat stress

First (and only) on market with removable soft goods for easier cleaning. Learn More
All Cairns Leather Helmets now offer removable, washable soft goods.

Cairns® Helmets

First (and only) on market with removable soft goods for easier cleaning

All Cairns® Leather Helmets now offer removable, washable soft goods.

First on market with removable soft goods that don't require breaking pneumatic or electronic connections for easier cleaning Learn More

G1 SCBA

First on market with removable soft goods that don't require breaking pneumatic or electronic connections for easier cleaning

Athletically inspired design with unique stretch materials, makes work easier, minimizes fatigue Learn More

Globe Athletix™ Turnout Gear

Athletically inspired design with unique stretch materials, makes work easier, minimizes fatigue

Even lighter and more flexible with continuous segmented panels to provide unprecedented flexibility Learn More

Globe Supraflex™ Boots

Even lighter and more flexible with continuous segmented panels to provide unprecedented flexibility

Helps to reduce slips and falls in cold and wet conditions Learn More

Globe Arctic Grip Pro Soles

Helps to reduce slips and falls in cold and wet conditions

Products Developed for Firefighter health and Safety – EN-approved

At MSA, we engineer products designed to help meet today's changing fireground dynamics.

Backplate specifically designed for comfort in longer duration wear Learn More

M1 SCBA

Improved Ergonomics

Backplate specifically designed for comfort in longer duration wear

Harness made from dust and water repellent materials helps to reduce time for mechanical cleaning. Entire SCBA can be machine washed with no disassembly required. Rescue line with flush function increases safety by cleaning medium pressure coupling. CleanConnect rescue line with patented flush function cleans coupling instantly with medium pressure.
Learn More

Enhanced Hygiene

Harness made from dust and water repellent materials helps to reduce time for mechanical cleaning

Entire SCBA can be machine washed with no disassembly required

CleanConnect rescue line with patented flush function cleans coupling instantly with medium pressure

Ergonomic, well balanced design for comfort and intuitive adjustment mechanisms for optimal fit. Choice between removable, machine-washable textile soft goods or leather soft goods that can be wiped with microfiber cloth. Entire helmet can be machine washed with no disassembly required (except for electronics). Learn More

GALLET F1XF Helmet

Ergonomic, well balanced design for comfort and intuitive adjustment mechanisms for optimal fit

Choice between removable, machine-washable textile soft goods or leather soft goods that can be wiped with microfiber cloth

Entire helmet can be machine washed with no disassembly required (except for electronics)

Dust and water (IP67 tested) protection class and no batteries make cleaning easy Learn More

C1 Headset

Dust and water (IP67 tested) protection class and no batteries make cleaning easy

Lightweight design and low inhalation / exhalation resistance for comfortable wear over longer duration. Disassembly in less than 30 sec. Tough lens for protection when cleaning and disinfecting. NEW SKIN-SENSITIVE OPTION Alternative formulation accommodating users who may experience skin sensitivity or allergy. Learn More

G1 Mask

Lightweight design and low inhalation / exhalation resistance for comfortable wear over longer duration

Disassembly in less than 30 sec

Tough lens for protection when cleaning and disinfecting

NEW SKIN-SENSITIVE OPTION
Alternative formulation accommodating users who may experience skin sensitivity or allergy

Download our Cleaning & Disinfection Guidelines for EN Approved Products

MSA is helping to advise its customers of industry-accepted cleaning and disinfecting processes and procedures in an effort to help maintain firefighters’ equipment and protect it from damage that may be caused by cleaning agents or the cleaning methods themselves.

The below guidelines should be read and considered in addition to the applicable product user manuals and instructions.

download whitepaper

Best practices to help reduce firefighter risk

Looking for cleaning resources for NFPA range of products?

Check out our new cleaning guidance page!

FIRE SERVICE CLEANING GUIDANCE