Rosenbauer delivers 800 helmets to Fribourg fire service

by Featured NewsPPE

Collective procurement in Western Switzerland

Rosenbauer has delivered 800 HEROS Titan protective helmets to Secours Sud Fribourgeois in the canton of Fribourg, the company said on Tuesday 09/12/2025.

Rosenbauer said the order followed a joint tender issued by 52 municipalities in Western Switzerland.

The company described the procurement as one of the largest collective tenders of its kind in Western Switzerland.

It added that the delivery is the largest single delivery it has made in Switzerland.

Heribert Glauser, Regional Sales Manager for Western Switzerland and Ticino at Rosenbauer Schweiz, said: “Secours Sud Fribourgeois makes an indispensable contribution to safety and disaster relief.

“Reliable protective equipment is crucial for this mission.

“We are very pleased that the organization has chosen Rosenbauer’s modern helmets.

“Beyond the technical performance, the overall package was decisive: professional and transparent project management, comprehensive training services, and long-term availability of spare parts.

“These factors ultimately tipped the balance.

“Rosenbauer was therefore able to clearly win the tender.”

Helmets specified for extreme conditions

Rosenbauer said the HEROS Titan is designed for firefighting operations under extreme conditions.

The company said the helmet meets EN 443, EN 16741, EN 16473, ISO 16073 and EN 14458.

It added that the helmet provides protection against heat, impact, chemicals and mechanical influences.

Rosenbauer said the shell is made of a highly impact-resistant high-tech material.

The company said the shell remains dimensionally stable from –40 °C to over 300 °C.

Rosenbauer said the standard version weighs around 1,350 grams.

It added that weight distribution is designed to support wearing comfort during long operations.

Options for communications and accessories

Rosenbauer said the helmet system includes reflective stickers and preparation for a radio system.

The company said accessories include a face shield, eye protection visor, neck protection and side mask adapters.

It added that the accessory range also includes LED helmet lamps.

Rosenbauer said the configuration options are intended to allow adaptation for different operational requirements.

Inner helmet design and maintenance claims

Rosenbauer said the HEROS Titan uses a patented interior helmet design that is largely independent of the outer shell.

The company said padded straps distribute weight evenly and are designed to reduce pressure points.

It added that adjustment options include sliding the helmet shell over the inner helmet to tailor fit.

Rosenbauer said the helmet can be cleaned without tools and returned to service within minutes.

The company added that material durability is intended to support a long service life.

Global delivery figures cited by Rosenbauer

Rosenbauer said the HEROS Titan is used worldwide and has received multiple design awards.

The company said the helmet has more than 500,000 deliveries across 146 countries.

Matteo Paraluppi, Head of Product Division Fire & Safety Equipment at Rosenbauer, said: “The demand for the HEROS Titan with its unique qualities remains strong.

“The helmet continues to set the standard in interior firefighting operations.”

Nightstick launches compact FORGE II helmet light

by LightingProducts

Nightstick launches a slimmer helmet light

Nightstick has announced the FORGE II, a compact fire helmet light released from Wylie, Texas, with a stated output of 350 lumens and 7,360 candela.

The company said the new model is its smallest fire helmet light so far and is based on the original FORGE.

The light measures 2.36 inches in length and weighs 3.4 ounces.

Nightstick said the unit is designed to reduce bulk when mounted above or below a helmet brim.

It is also described as providing visibility through smoke and steam at distances of up to 172 metres.

The company said the FORGE II is designed to fit MSA Cairns 1010/1044 helmets and other traditional fire helmets.

It is also intended to mount to full-brim hard hats used in wildland firefighting.

Nightstick sets out output and durability details

Jonathan Gordon, Nightstick’s Marketing Manager for Fire & Industrial, said: “Feedback from first responders showed the need for a compact, high-intensity helmet light.

“FORGE II delivers powerful candela and reliable performance in a smaller footprint.”

A rear-facing green Follow Me LED is included for crew tracking in low-visibility conditions.

The tail switch is designed for gloved use and changes between high and low brightness modes.

A side-to-side swivel allows users to aim the beam without adjusting other gear.

Nightstick said the housing is made from aircraft-grade aluminium with a hard-anodised finish and that the light is rated IP67 for waterproof and dustproof protection.

The unit is also described as drop-tested from 2 metres, compliant with NFPA 1971-8.6 (2018) helmet lighting standards and supplied with a CR123 battery.

Nightstick said the FORGE II is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Why MSA Safety’s GALLET fire helmets remain iconic after 40 years

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyPPESafety

MSA Safety marks 40 years of GALLET fire helmets in France

MSA Safety is highlighting four decades of helmet innovation at the 131st National Congress of French Firefighters in Le Mans, France.

The company is showcasing its GALLET F1XF fire helmet and Connected Firefighter Platform at this year’s event.

According to MSA Safety, 2025 marks 40 years since the GALLET F1 was first developed in collaboration with the Paris Fire Brigade.

The company said the original design introduced the first “jet-style” helmet after a firefighter sustained a facial injury during an intervention, prompting a new approach to safety and functionality.

Advancing fire helmet design

The F1XF is the latest generation in the GALLET line and builds on the original model’s patented visor system, which adjusts to the face to reduce the risk of projectiles.

MSA Safety explained that the visor and gold or clear face shield protect against radiant heat, electrical risks, arc flashes and high-speed particles through UV filtering and polycarbonate design.

The company added that the GALLET F1 series has remained central to firefighter protection through decades of continuous design evolution.

Dave Howells, President of MSA International, said: “Our mission is to help firefighters stay safe and accounted for, and we do that by designing protective equipment and connected solutions that help to elevate firefighter safety.

“We’re proud of our long legacy in France and the work our team does in supporting local industry and firefighters.

“Our manufacturing plant in Chatillon, where GALLET helmets are made, received the Origin’Ain label in recognition of its regional economic contributions, and our GALLET helmets are approved by the French Ministry of Interior for French Civil Defense, furthering our commitment to helping protect the firefighters who keep communities safe.”

Introducing the GALLET F2XR rescue helmet

MSA Safety is also presenting its GALLET F2XR rescue helmet, designed for multi-purpose use across diverse emergency scenarios.

The helmet is certified for water operations and includes accessories such as an integrated ocular visor and modular ear protection covers.

It is approved for use on motorised boats and recognised for wildland firefighting, technical rescue, urban search and rescue, and climbing.

According to MSA Safety, these features make it a versatile option that supports firefighter safety across various mission types.

Expanding connected firefighter capabilities

The company’s Connected Firefighter Platform will also feature at the congress, offering attendees a look at its latest updates.

MSA Safety described the platform as an ecosystem of internet-connected technologies that help fire and rescue services manage personal protective equipment (PPE) and related maintenance data.

It includes the M1 self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the MSA HUB for wireless and cloud-connected monitoring, and the FireGrid cloud platform for incident and asset management.

MSA Safety said the M1 SCBA was recently ranked as the number one manufacturer of choice by the Union of Public Purchasing Groups (UGAP), France’s public procurement body for responsible and measurable purchasing.

The company will be located at booth ROT-F14 during the congress.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The developments presented by MSA Safety are directly relevant to fire and rescue procurement officers, PPE specifiers and fire chiefs in charge of operational equipment selection.

The 40th anniversary of the GALLET F1 helmet highlights four decades of design improvements that continue to influence firefighter protection standards.

The GALLET F2XR’s multi-purpose certification across water, rescue and wildland operations provides additional value for services seeking cross-compatible protective gear.

The Connected Firefighter Platform demonstrates a move towards integrated monitoring, enabling data-driven management of breathing apparatus and PPE maintenance.

The UGAP ranking confirms the company’s presence in France’s public procurement framework, an important consideration for municipal and departmental fire brigades planning future acquisitions.