Next generation MSA Safety protective equipment appearing at FDIC

by EventsFeatured NewsPPESafety

MSA Safety presents G1 XR platform and FireGrid API at FDIC

MSA Safety is showcasing the G1 XR Edition Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and the new FireGrid Incident Command Application Programming Interface (API) at FDIC International this week.

The manufacturer is demonstrating how the G1 XR Edition SCBA addresses fireground realities by reducing weight and improving fit for the user.

This next-generation SCBA platform features adjustable lumbar pad options and updated soft goods to allow departments to customise the equipment.

The G1 XR Edition SCBA meets the requirements of the 2025 edition of the NFPA 1970 standard.

Specific design updates include simplified cleaning processes and pull straps alongside technology to support clearer radio communication.

Integration of FireGrid API for incident command

The company is expanding its connected safety offerings through the introduction of the FireGrid Incident Command API.

This technology enables the integration of G1 SCBA data directly into MSA-approved incident command systems preferred by individual departments.

Commanders gain increased insight into air pressure and movement as well as alarms and individual firefighter information.

The API facilitates the sharing of alarms via a secure cloud connection with selected software partners used for managing apparatus or hydrant locations.

Stephanie Sciullo, President, MSA Americas, said: “We know fire scenes are complex environments, and managing information overload can be a challenge.”

“As the G1 platform evolves, we are focused on delivering not only protection, but also the information that helps keep firefighters safe, accounted for, and better equipped to operate when every second matters.”

Head-to-toe firefighter protection and turnout gear

MSA Safety is also presenting its wider range of protective equipment at FDIC including Globe Manufacturing Company turnout gear and Cairns helmets.

Attendees can now order the Globe G-XTREME PRO Jacket which features a three-panel design to reduce bulk and increase mobility.

The jacket includes a mic pass-through option for wearing a radio beneath the garment and offers a broader range of fit options.

Further enhancements for the G-XTREME PRO Jacket are currently being previewed including new moisture barrier offerings and collar closure options.

These developments are part of the head-to-toe firefighter protection system being showcased at booth 2523 during the event in Indianapolis.

From classrooms to command decisions: FDIC International 2025  

by Breaking NewsEvents

With over 37,000 professionals attending FDIC International 2025, IFSJ looks back at everything from the hands-on drills to new technology and leadership summits framing the future of global emergency response 

FDIC International returned to Indianapolis from 7 to 12 April, bringing 37,081 registered professionals to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium for six days of training, technology demonstrations and peer exchange.  

Founded in 1929 as a modest forum on instructor standards, the conference now hosts more than 800 exhibiting companies and welcomes delegations from 55 countries, among them Colombia, Mexico, China, the United Kingdom and Australia.  

International Fire & Safety Journal attended throughout the week, speaking with readers, watching classroom sessions and following product debuts that sketched a clear picture of where the fire service is heading. 

Opening reflections on a gathering defined by service 

The event opened with an address by Eric Schlett, executive vice-president of Clarion Fire Rescue Group: “You are the heart and soul of this event and your presence here today reflects the unwavering dedication and courage that defines the fire service.”  

That message framed a programme that mixed hard-nosed realism with strategic debate. By the closing bell, visitors had taken part in hands-on evolutions, leadership summits, wellness workshops and evening receptions that turned aisles of apparatus into informal classrooms. Figures released after the show revealed that forty-two percent of attendees were first-timers and thirty-six percent held an EMS certification, a reminder that FDIC continues to draw fresh talent as well as seasoned officers.  

Training and education at the core 

FDIC split its educational offer into two distinct phases. The first forty-eight hours focused on hands-on training that put firefighters inside live-fire compartments, rope systems and restricted-visibility mazes. Organisers stress that every scenario “replicates real-life incidents, ensuring firefighters experience the heat, stress and complexity of emergency response.”  

Instructors emphasised disciplined size-up, controlled ventilation and crew communication. Observers noted how the drills linked directly to later classroom sessions, where speakers presented ventilation flow-paths recorded with thermal cameras and discussed lithium-ion battery behaviour in sealed cargo holds. Across the week more than 230 hours of accredited instruction were available, enabling participants to collect continuing education credits recognised by state and national agencies.  

One lieutenant from Ohio explained that his twenty-four hours on command strategy will satisfy a promotional board requirement, underlining how the conference blends inspiration with career pragmatism. Certificates remain downloadable until 31 December 2025.  

Innovation that drives tomorrow’s fireground 

From the moment the exhibit floor opened, heavy apparatus stole the spotlight. Ferrara and Rosenbauer rolled in new pumpers, while REV Fire Group fielded fourteen vehicles ranging from municipal engines to an airport crash truck. Pierce showed its electric Enforcer Volterra and a Velocity 100-foot aerial platform, proving that alternative powertrains are no longer prototypes but purchase-ready solutions.  

Spartan used the show to mark fifty years in business with the S-180 pumper series, the Smeal Type 1 pumper and the battery-electric Vector. Even small tools carried forward the theme of multifunctional design: CMC’s Swivo merged a swivel, pulley and carabiner into one unit for confined-space kits, while Bullard staged outdoor drills using a new thermal-imaging camera that streamed live pictures to a critique zone outside Lucas Oil Stadium.  

Personal protective equipment followed the same arc toward lighter, smarter gear. MSA Safety launched the G1 SCBA XR Edition and the Globe G-Xtreme Pro jacket, while Fire-Dex demonstrated a Virtual Sizer that uses artificial intelligence and anthropometric data to predict turnout fit.  

Health, wellness and community connections 

Alongside hoses and hardware, the conference gave equal stage time to human sustainability. The Health and Wellness area offered talks on mental resilience, cancer prevention and nutrition for high-stress shift work. Sessions such as “Firefighters’ perspectives on mental performance support” and “Nutrition and recovery” moved beyond theory with practical planning sheets that departments can fold into annual medicals.  

Memorial Park inside Lucas Oil Stadium remained a quiet space for reflection, while the adjacent Puppy Park provided first-time adopters with canine companionship. Three dogs found homes by week’s end, including Athena who left the shelter system after 116 days and now lives with a Massachusetts firefighter.  

Evening receptions knitted the crowd together in more informal ways. Officers from small volunteer houses compared funding models with metropolitan chiefs, and an impromptu patch-swap table near the stadium escalator became a daily reunion point where uniforms from four continents traded crests and stories. 

Preparing for the future 

As exhibitors dismantled rigs and instructors archived slide decks, organisers confirmed that FDIC International will return to Indianapolis from 20 to 25 April 2026. FDIC International 2025 

Planning committees previewed an electric-vehicle fire laboratory, expanded artificial intelligence governance workshops and a refreshed officer-development pathway for next year. Those directions mirror questions that surfaced repeatedly in 2025: how to merge data analytics with street-level tactics, how to integrate low-carbon equipment without compromising fire flow and how to safeguard responder health across decades of service. 

The week showed that practical skills and strategic insight can share the same stage. Live-fire evolutions honed muscle memory, while classroom forums challenged assumptions with fresh research. New apparatus displayed innovative drivetrains, yet instructors reminded visitors that pressure readings and nozzle discipline still dictate effective water application. 

Most importantly, the event reinforced a simple principle: the fire service advances through shared experience. Whether rescuing a shelter dog, dissecting battery-pack ignition paths or listening to a veteran describe a mayday, attendees left Indianapolis with stories and data they can turn into safer streets at home.

The fireground may change with every response, but the willingness to gather, test ideas and debate evidence endures. FDIC International 2025 captured that spirit in every aisle and every hose line, setting the tone for the year ahead. 

This article was originally published in the June 2025 Edition of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE copy, click here. 

FDIC International: Looking ahead at North America’s leading firefighter conference

by Breaking NewsEventsIFSJ Exclusives

IFSJ takes a look at some of the key sessions, speakers and opportunities in store at FDIC International

FDIC International is North America’s Leading Firefighter Conference, bringing together thousands of Fire & Rescue professionals from around the world, world-class instructors, classrooms, workshops, training, and the innovative products and services on display from 800+ exhibiting companies. Being held in Indianapolis form 24-29 of April, FDIC is a show that focuses on learning and sharing with your peers formally and informally through hallway conversations, developing life-long friendships, and recharging your passion for the industry.

More than 35,000 industry professionals from around the world will be in Indianapolis for FDIC International 2023, giving you the opportunity to develop stronger industry relationships, learning from other departments on the issues they are facing and bringing back these insights to our department.

The week-long event begins with FDIC’s interactive hands-on training evolutions where firefighters and fire and rescue professionals can advance their skills by participating in live training courses, pre-conference workshops and over 200 conference sessions taught by renowned instructors presenting new areas of interest within the fire service along with updated content on important topics. 

Hands on Training

Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) Evolutions at FDIC International are training sessions on the latest technology and techniques in the fire service, instructed by key players within the industry. They are designed so that firefighters that attend will become better firefighters and take back information to their hometown departments that will have an impact on the safety of their community

Among the training sessions on offer is one from Leigh Hollins, Battalion Chief (Ret.), Cedar Hammock (FL) Fire Department, who will host a session on ‘Advanced Vehicle Extrication’, presenting challenging, difficult extrication scenarios requiring advanced skills to stabilise the vehicles, gain entry, and remove patients entrapped and entangled in the wreckage.

With electric and hybrid vehicles on the rise, Jason Defosse, Firefighter, Quinte West Fire Department. will lead a training course on ‘Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Response’. Students will have the opportunity to receive hands-on training on the latest vehicles on the market today. The class will focus on electric hybrid vehicle response as well as new emerging technologies and attendees will be given a unique perspective on proper shutdown procedures, extrication tactics, the removal of patients entrapped and entangled in the wreckage, and firefighting considerations while applying real hands-on training with brand new and late model hybrid and electric vehicles.

Pre-conference workshops

Pre-conference workshops are offered on Monday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 25 ahead of the conference program. These 4-hour sessions provide an in-depth look at specific topics covering new areas of interest within the fire service as well as traditional training topics. Attendees can choose from a variety of topics and should be prepared to walk away with new insights, ideas and approaches.

Among the workshops is ‘25 to Survive: The Commercial Building Fire’, with Doug Mitchell, Captain, Fire Department of New York. This interactive program will address 25 critical firefighting concerns common to the commercial building fire and tactically sound tips, techniques, and drills that firefighters can implement into their firehouse.

Justin Bailey, Chief, Oliver Springs (TN) Fire Department, will host a session on ‘Prioritising Your Department’s Training Program’. This course will help determine the need for training for firefighters and their department and how to make it the leading priority. Topics include organisational training needs and expectations, the selection of a training officer, training program delivery, and personal responsibility in maintaining a healthy training environment.

In the classroom

FDIC International offers more ways than ever to learn the latest tactics, techniques, and technologies designed to take your knowledge to the next level with world-renowned instructors.

‘Cancer: Prevent It, Detect It Early, and Survive It’ will see an interactive presentation and discussions, where students will learn about the scope of the problem of cancer in the fire service, hosted by Russell Osgood, Chief, Ogunquit (ME) Fire Department; Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

 ‘Fight the Fire, Not the Building’, hosted by Ron Kanterman, Executive Inspector, Fire Department of New York Bureau of Fire Protection, will review the built-in active and passive fire protection systems that make up the building’s fire and life safety system and the basic working of these systems.

Women in Fire

Women in Fire Conference returns to FDIC International. This conference will begin with an opening ceremony, followed by a line-up of educational classes that provide training, support, and advocacy for women in the fire service.

Its keynote address on Monday 24 April at 8am comes from Mira Leinonen, a senior officer for a state administrative state agency in Southern Finland and chairperson for the international association CTIF’s Women in Fire and Rescue Services commission.

A seminar called ‘Health and Wellness for Women in the Fire Service’ will present attendees with information and resources regarding the impacts of culture, harassment and bullying, mental health, and suicide among women in the fire service. Included are resources for pregnant firefighters along with information about risks, impacts, and best practices. The session will be hosted by Amy Hanifan, President; Operations Chief, Women in Fire; McMinnville (OR) Fire Department.

‘Your Guide to Responding to Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation in Emergency’, with Candice McDonald, Deputy CEO; Firefighter/EMT, NVFC; Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association, will educate on protected groups; define and identify types of unlawful discrimination; examine the behaviours of unlawful harassment; educate on what liability has in addressing harassment and discrimination, and more.

Networking

FDIC International brings together members of the fire service from around the world to exchange information, network, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Attendees can maximise their experience by attending a variety of special events planned throughout the week.

Returning this year to facilitate networking is the MATCH! Program. It is designed help participant get business done in the most efficient and convenient way possible and is available to officers (or committee members) who are decision-makers and actively sourcing products or services for their department. Meetings are pre-scheduled and mutually agreed upon, which allows both parties to come prepared for a productive business conversation while saving precious time at the event.

IGNITE

Finally, not to be missed at FDIC International is IGNITE: an exhibiting destination for start-up businesses owned by emergency service entrepreneurs looking to make their debut at the show. Companies will feature alongside other start-up and small businesses, creating a dedicated community within the Lucas Oil Stadium exhibit hall. Participating exhibitors will be looking to build relationships, connect and network with industry professionals including fire chiefs, officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, distributors, and other manufacturers large and small.

This article was originally published in the March edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Everything you need to know about FDIC International 2022

by Americas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsEvents

FDIC International is back this April 2022, and opens its doors to the public from April 25-30 in Indianapolis, IN, USA. FDIC International will offer thousands of fire and rescue professionals from around the world, quality world-class instructors, classrooms session, pre-conference workshops, H.O.T evolutions and the most innovative products and services available to the industry displayed by over 800 exhibiting companies.  

The FDIC International experience is more than your traditional trade show it’s about the learning and sharing with your peers formally and informally through hallway conversations, developing life-long friendships, and recharging your passion for the industry. The focus for this year’s FDIC event will be bringing together the industry in-person, for a safe and productive training experience while maintaining the celebration of comradery.  

FDIC International will present over 300 tried and true classes alongside updated content on important topics and new areas of interest from the world’s most renowned instructors. The week of training begins with two days of Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) evolutions and 

Pre-Conference workshops followed by three days of classroom sessions, covering the latest technology and techniques in the fire service.  

The Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) Evolutions at FDIC International are something you must experience to fully appreciate. Attendees can choose between 4- and 8-hour Hands-on Training (H.O.T.) Evolutions which cover the latest technology and techniques in the fire service and are instructed by industry icons. This year’s H.O.T. Evolutions include Drilling at the Speed of Flashover, Fundamentals of Open Water Rescue and Drowning Resuscitation, Advanced Vehicle Extrication, Truck and Rescue Company Fire Operations, and so much more – no other event in the world contains the vast amount of topics and locations presented at FDIC International. 

The FDIC International pre-conference workshops provide attendees with an in-depth look at specific topics covering new areas of interest within the fire service as well as traditional training topics. Attendees can choose from a variety of topics and should be prepared to walk away with new insights, ideas and approaches. This year’s topics cover the latest technology and techniques in the fire service, and include advanced vehicle extrication, active shooter response, open water rescue and drowning resuscitation, heavy vehicle extrication, and more.  

Perhaps one of the most distinguishing aspects of FDIC International’s classroom sessions is the world-renowned instructors. While you’ll certainly find the largest gathering of industry icons at FDIC International, you’ll also find new instructors from around the world presenting ground breaking topics. Some of this year’s sessions include Merging EMS into a Fire Department Culture, Thriving in the Fire Service, Swift Water Rescue Rules of Engagement, Down and Dirty Fireground Decision Making, Best Practices for Proficiency-Based Training, The Successful Short-Staffed Engine, and more. Attendees can move between classroom sessions and topics, customizing their FDIC experience and gaining the most from their time at the event. 

Women in Fire 

Returning in 2022 is Women in Fire for their one-day conference which will take place on Monday, April 25. This conference will begin with an opening ceremony which will take a look at what we know about women’s health in the fire service, including recent and emerging topics such as reproductive health, behavioral health, and modifiable risk factors among this population. Following that will be a line-up of educational classes that provide training, support and advocacy for women in the fire service. 

Our strong heritage and commitment to tradition is epitomized in the 2022 Opening Ceremonies. Every year, thousands of attendees pay tribute to all past, present, and future firefighters. Attending this event provides a comprehensive understanding of the gratitude and respect for all those who place their lives on the line to save others. In recognition of outstanding bravery and selflessness, one firefighter will receive the annual Ray Downey Courage and Valor Award.  

The learning continues on the exhibit floor at FDIC International! Exhibitions span the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and the Outdoor Exhibits & Demo Area and give attendees access to explore hundreds of products and services while creating lasting and lucrative business relationships with leading manufacturers.  

Networking 

FDIC also offers a variety of networking opportunities including our special events, MATCH! and The Metro Officers Innovation Briefing.  

The Metro Officers Innovation Briefing is exclusively designed for Metro Officers who want to see what’s new in the industry, hear what innovations other metropolitan fire departments are implementing, and network with fellow officers. This complimentary one-day event takes place on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, the day before the exhibits open.  

MATCH! is a free service at FDIC International that was designed to help attendees and exhibitors make the most efficient use of their time by pre-scheduling one-to-one meetings to discuss sourcing needs. MATCH! is easy, efficient, and complimentary. Attendees who are actively sourcing products and services in the next 12-24 months will select categories they are interested in within our matchmaking tool. From there, exhibitor suggestions will be generated, and the attendees can request meetings that will take place in our MATCH! VIP lounge eliminating any exhibit hall distractions. 

JEMS Con 2022 

Making its debut this year, co-located alongside FDIC International, is the JEMS Conference & Expo (JEMS Con). JEMS Con will offer a refreshed, forward-thinking approach focused on the future of EMS, operational leadership and peer-to-peer sharing and networking. JEMS Con will bring together paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), medical directors and executives from all EMS providers including state and private agencies, third service and fire for education, training, peer-to-peer sharing and networking. JEMS Con will offer over 100 hours of continuing education approved by the CAPCE. 

Over the past year, we’ve done extensive outreach and had critical conversations with EMS providers, exhibitors, medical directors, and professionals. We’ve taken their insights and suggestions to start to lay the foundation of JEMS Con in 2022. With over 5,000 attendees that identify EMS as their primary job function already attending FDIC, we feel we can create considerable value and efficiencies for the industry in a co-located event. We are committed to welcoming all EMS providers, giving them a dedicated event to comfortably come together to learn, share, and network with peers. We will continue to build partnerships with the EMS community to help shape this event as we plan beyond 2022. We plan to expand the Metro EMS group, add more hands-on training evolutions, enhance the sponsorship experience, and include additional networking opportunities. We are excited about the opportunities this co-location will offer the Fire and EMS communities. 

The pandemic hasn’t stopped firefighters and EMTs from having to serve their communities and therefore the need for training hasn’t stopped! FDIC International is excited to welcome the fire & rescue industry back to Indianapolis at its regularly scheduled time. The focus for this year’s event will be bringing together the industry in-person, for a safe and productive training experience while maintaining the celebration of comradery. The need for connecting with peers became even more important over the past year and a half when COVID-19 created supply chain issues and shortages, as well as fewer in-person training opportunities. At this year’s FDIC International, the industry can expect to find our traditional robust education and training program, an expansive exhibit hall with leading manufacturers, new technology and networking events designed to celebrate coming together and thanking our first responders for keeping our communities safe. 

For general show inquiry or assistance, feel free to reach out to our team at FDIC@clarionevents.com. 

Super Vac to showcase robotic misting turbine at FDIC 2022

by Breaking NewsEventsFirefighting EquipmentProducts

Super Vac, one of the leading manufacturers in fire ventilation equipment, will showcase an unmanned misting turbine by EmiControls in its booth at FDIC International 2022 (Booth #3417).

The robotic fan features a water mist system that atomizes water and extinguishing foam into a fine mist before propelling it up to 300 feet with Quadrijet nozzles and turbine propeller. The fan can be maneuvered an additional 1,000 feet toward the hazard thanks to advance remote controls, making these turbines the ultimate unmanned firefighting fans for chemical operations, tunnel systems, subway shafts, recycling plants and urban areas.

The fan’s water misting system includes 40 turbine-ring Quadrijet nozzles, which provides up to 400 gpm of water, and a powerful turbine propeller, which combines 25kW power with a polymer blade to deliver 35,000 cfm. An integrated Akron nozzle (or brand of choice) produces up to 1,200 gpm that can be propelled up to 300 ft. with remote adjustable pattern. In addition to its misting capabilities, the turbine is also highly maneuverable. The robot can tilt

19-degrees down and 43-degrees up, while the turntable features 362 degrees of rotation. The design can also fit into parking garages as low as 80” while having the ability to raise an additional 67”. This large industrial fan can be mounted on tracks, trailer or truck.

When mounted to the crawler tracks, the robotic fan can navigate harsh terrain, 30-degree inclines and 15-degree traverses with the mobile unit’s 71HP Kubota diesel engine. A number of optional features can be added to the firefighting robot, including forklift, railway wheels, camera kit, remote winch, air duct hose, ground-sweep nozzles and web-based GPS.

“We’re excited to partner with EmiControls so that we could bring this firefighting robot to the United States market,” Super Vac President Roger Weinmeister said. “This fan is a great addition to our large-scale PPV lineup, which includes 30”, 48” and 80” industrial fans, all designed for ventilating large structures. At Super Vac, we know every ventilation scenario is different, so we pride ourselves in this addition because we know it’s important to offer a wide variety of tools to get the job done.”

REV Fire Group set to host Apparatus Conference & Expo this month

by Events

The REV Fire Group Apparatus Conference & Expo, powered by FDIC International, is an upcoming free digital event to be hosted later in July – featuring interactive exhibits and weekly Webcasts with leading fire service instructors on apparatus-related topics.

The 5-week series is designed to help visitors connect with leaders in the industry as we continue to tackle unprecedented challenges. Visitors will get exclusive access to top instructors and get up close and personal with five of the industry’s leading brands for LIVE product walk arounds where REV Group will answer questions on demand and allow participants to easily connect with representatives from REV Fire to further the conversations one-on-one.

The digital conference will also feature the following free training presentations:

  • July 20, 2020: “Must Haves for First Arriving,” Jonah Smith
  • July 27, 2020: “Mayday Monday,” Tony Carroll
  • August 3, 2020: “Proven Truck Tactics That Might Surprise You,” Jason Joannides
  • August 10, 2020: “Aerial Device Strategies and Tactics,” G. Howard Blythe
  • August 17, 2020: “The Engine Company’s Guide to Winning: Stretching for Success,” Steve Robertson

Find out the full schedule here – www.revtruckexpo.com