Fire Departments in AR, MT Receive PPE through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway
October 20, 2026
MSA Safety, Nomex® and Kevlar® for Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) annually partner to help volunteer fire departments enhance their readiness with a donation of new Globe® turnout gear and MSA Cairns® helmets. In 2026, 52 sets are being awarded to 13 volunteer fire departments in need through MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway.
The latest recipients are Maynard (AR) Volunteer Fire Department and Fallon (MT) Fire Area Department. Both departments will receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets to help protect their firefighters.
Many volunteer fire departments operate on limited budgets that make the purchase of new gear and equipment difficult. As a result, firefighters often have to rely on old, worn-out, and non-compliant gear when they are protecting their community. MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway helps departments obtain the gear they need to increase the safety of volunteer firefighters and improve the department’s response capabilities. Since the program began in 2012, more than $2 million worth of gear has been donated to volunteer fire departments across the country.
Read about the latest recipients below, and stay tuned to the NVFC website and newsletter for additional announcements of 2026 recipients.
Maynard Volunteer Fire Department
The Maynard Volunteer Fire Department has 22 volunteer firefighters that serve the City of Maynard and the surrounding rural areas in northeast Arkansas. Department members take pride in providing the community with dependable, first-line emergency services despite limited resources and long response distances. Wildland and grass fires are especially common in the area, and firefighters also respond to structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies.
Budget limitations make replacing worn-out, aging turnout gear and helmets a critical challenge for the department. Inadequate gear directly impacts the department’s ability to train, operate, and respond safely. The donation of new gear will strengthen the department’s capability and enable for a safer, faster, and more effective emergency response.
“Modern, NFPA-compliant turnout gear is essential to firefighter safety, confidence, and performance,” said firefighter Taylor James. “Access to updated Globe gear would significantly reduce injury risk, improve thermal protection, and allow our firefighters to operate more effectively during interior and exterior fire operations. Receiving this gear would directly enhance firefighter safety while ensuring our department remains capable of protecting the homes, property, and lives of the community we proudly serve.”
Fallon Fire Area Department
Located in a small Montana community, Fallon Fire Area Department is comprised of 13 active volunteer firefighters that make the most of their limited budget and resources. However, with an annual revenue under $2,000, it is impossible for them to secure the personal protective gear they need to safely train and respond. Currently, the department is relying on outdated gear donated from another fire department, which compromises responder safety and effectiveness during emergencies and limits their ability to train for real-life scenarios.
Receiving four new sets of turnout gear and helmets will have a significant impact on responder safety and department capabilities. Responders will be better equipped to handle complex situations, such as rescuing individuals trapped in a burning structure. It will also give the firefighters greater confidence, lead to improved trust and reassurance from the public, and enhance the safety and resilience of the entire Fallon community.
“Receiving the PPE gear and helmets would directly benefit both our department and community,” said training chief Chris Neumann. “Equipped with modern, compliant PPE, our firefighters will be better prepared for emergencies, ensuring faster, more efficient response times. This, in turn, enhances community safety and trust in our ability to protect them.”
About Globe Manufacturing Company and MSA Safety
Globe Manufacturing Company, a leader in fire service protective clothing, is a subsidiary of MSA Safety Incorporated. MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) is the global leader in advanced safety products, technologies and solutions. Driven by its singular mission of safety, the company has been at the forefront of safety innovation since 1914, protecting workers and facility infrastructure around the world across a broad range of diverse end markets while creating sustainable value for shareholders. With 2025 revenues of $1.9 billion, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and employs a team of more than 5,300 associates across its more than 40 international locations. For more information, please visit www.msasafety.com/.
About Arclin
Arclin is a leading materials science company and manufacturer of polymer technologies, engineered products, and specialized materials for the construction, agriculture, transportation infrastructure, weather & fire protection, pharmaceutical, nutrition, electronics, design, and other industries. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Arclin has offices and manufacturing facilities across North & South America, Europe, and Asia and serves customers worldwide.
Arclin’s lineup of Fire & Safety products—including Nomex® and Kevlar®—create a superior thermal barrier, ensuring long-term reliability for life-saving applications and high-stakes environments. For more information, please visit www.arclin.com/industries/fire-safety/
Kevlar® and Nomex® are registered trademarks of Arclin.
About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire and emergency medical services. The NVFC unites and supports volunteer and combination fire and EMS organizations through education, advocacy, leadership development, and collaboration. Guided by professionalism and innovation, we provide the tools and resources needed to protect communities, advance responder health and safety, and prepare leaders for the future. Learn more and join at www.nvfc.org.
