MSA’s & DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway Program Wraps Up Ninth Year of Protecting Firefighters

January 12, 2021

In 2020, MSA, DuPont, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) provided 13 volunteer fire departments with much needed personal protective equipment through MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway program. Each department received four sets of new, state-of-the-art turnout gear along with four helmets to better protect their members. In addition, the first 500 applicants received a complimentary membership to the NVFC, courtesy of MSA.

The gear giveaway is an annual program that initially launched in 2012 to commemorate Globe’s 125th anniversary. To date, 559 sets of gear have been donated to 121 departments. MSA added helmets to the program in 2019 after a survey of program recipients found that 50 percent did not have enough for their members. Over $1 million worth of gear has been provided to volunteer fire departments in need across the U.S. and Canada to better protect their firefighters and communities.

“Funding the purchase of gear and equipment is a challenge for many volunteer fire departments,” said NVFC chair Steve Hirsch. “2020 was especially difficult given the COVID-19 pandemic. As we approach the 10th anniversary of this program, we are grateful for the generosity and support of MSA and DuPont in providing much-needed gear to hundreds of volunteer firefighters throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

According to a needs assessment published by the National Fire Protection Association in 2016, 72 percent of fire departments reported that some of their personal protective clothing was at least 10 years old, and 13 percent of departments do not have enough personal protective clothing for all of their emergency responders. The data also shows that the need is greatest in small communities that are protected primarily by volunteer firefighters.

The recipients in the 2020 gear giveaway are as follows:

  • Central Hardin Fire Department (Elizabethtown, KY)
  • Cooper Landing (AK) Emergency Services
  • Douglas City (CA) Volunteer Fire Department
  • Florahome-Grandin (FL) Volunteer Fire Department
  • Garden Homes Fire Protection District (Alsip, IL)
  • Gilt Edge Volunteer Fire Department (Burlison, TN)
  • Haynesville (ME) Volunteer Fire Department
  • Highway K Volunteer Fire Department (Doniphan, MO)
  • New Baltimore Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company (Warrenton, VA)
  • Strykersville (NY) Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.
  • Valley View Volunteer Fire Department (Lawton, OK)
  • Washington Borough (NJ) Fire Department
  • White River (ON, Canada) Fire Department

To be eligible to apply for the giveaway, departments have to be over 50 percent volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be located in the U.S. or Canada, be a member of the NVFC, and demonstrate significant need for new gear. MSA provides NVFC memberships to the first 500 applicants to help departments meet the membership requirement.

The application period for MSA’s and DuPont’s 2021 Globe Gear Giveaway will open in February. Thirteen departments will each receive four new sets of turnout gear along with four helmets to increase firefighter safety. Stay tuned to the NVFC web site, Dispatch newsletter, and Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as the Globe Facebook page, for details.

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 2019 revenues of $1.4 billion, MSA employs approximately 5,000 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 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 Corian®, Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek®, GreatStuff™, Styrofoam™ and Filmtec®.

About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients 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, health and wellness, food, and worker safety. More information can be found at www.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, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.