Fire Departments in Kentucky and Vermont Awarded Turnouts and Helmets through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway
October 28, 2025
Congratulations to Slaughters (KY) Community Volunteer Fire Department and the Lunenburg (VT) Volunteer Fire Department on being the latest recipients of MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Each department will receive four new sets of Globe® turnout gear and four MSA Cairns® fire helmets to help protect their volunteer firefighters.
Each year, MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) partner to provide volunteer fire departments with much-needed personal protective equipment through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway. Since the program began in 2012, the giveaway has awarded 767 sets of gear and 312 helmets to 173 volunteer fire departments in need. An additional 52 sets of gear and helmets are being awarded this year. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.
Learn more about the program at www.nvfc.org/gear. Read about the latest recipients below.
Slaughters Community Volunteer Fire Department
Located in rural Webster County, Kentucky, the Slaughters Community Volunteer Fire Department protects 20 square miles and serves a population of 1,350. With only 12 volunteer firefighters, the department responds to about 30 calls annually, ranging from structure fires and vehicle accidents to hazardous materials incidents and wildland fires.
The department operates on extremely limited resources, reporting only $200 in annual revenue for the last fiscal year. Much of their apparatus is aging, and some of their turnout gear and SCBA packs have expired by as much as 20 years. Four firefighters currently lack assigned gear, while eight others rely on protective clothing more than a decade old.
“New gear isn’t just wanted but needed in a big way,” said firefighter Kara Gardner. “Our concern is having turnout gear that is not expired and would not contribute to someone being injured or killed because their old gear cannot handle the fire. We want our firefighters to feel proud and safe in their gear.”
Lunenburg Volunteer Fire Department
The Lunenburg Volunteer Fire Department serves nearly 46 square miles and more than 1,200 residents in northeastern Vermont. The all-volunteer department responds to about 81 calls annually, including structure and wildland fires, motor vehicle accidents, and weather-related emergencies.
The department relies heavily on fundraising, making it challenging to replace outdated equipment. Seven of the department’s 15 volunteers do not have assigned turnout gear, and five others are using gear that is more than 10 years old.
“Much of our current gear is outdated, mismatched, or secondhand, which creates serious safety concerns,” said firefighter Steven Jones. “Without reliable, modern protective gear, it is difficult to maintain training standards and respond safely during emergencies. This donation will significantly enhance the safety, confidence, and performance of our team.”
Additional awards will be made monthly throughout 2025. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages, as well as the Globe Facebook page, for additional information and announcements.
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 2024 revenues of $1.8 billion, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and employs a team of more than 5,000 associates across its more than 40 international locations. For more information, please visit www.MSAsafety.com.
About DuPont Personal Protection
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 personalprotection.dupont.com.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com. DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks of affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
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.
