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.