Sciullo takes the helm as the new president of MSA Americas

by AmericasBreaking NewsPeople

MSA Safety Inc., the leading global manufacturer of safety products and solutions, has announced that Stephanie L. Sciullo, former senior vice president, has been promoted to President of MSA Americas, a post previously held by Steve Blanco, the newly appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of the company.

A change in MSA America’s leadership

Sciullo will be stepping into Blanco’s shoes as the president of MSA America. Her new role includes managing the company’s affairs across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Alongside this, she will maintain her position as the company’s executive sponsor and spokesperson for its corporate social responsibility programs.

An endorsement from MSA’s CEO

MSA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nish Vartanian, voiced his support: “Stephanie is a dynamic and highly transformative leader who has helped guide MSA through numerous periods of growth and change. She has helped the company solve some of our most challenging business issues.” He praised Sciullo’s dedication to the MSA mission and customers, as well as her appreciation for the company’s culture. He expressed confidence in her capabilities, stating: “I am confident she will excel in this new role, executing our strategy to drive continued, profitable growth.”

From law to corporate leadership

Sciullo’s journey with MSA Safety began in 2010. She served most recently as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Affairs. Before that, she managed the company’s insurance recovery efforts, resolving disputes over assets valued at over $1 billion. Additionally, Sciullo led a significant strategic transaction – the divestment of a wholly-owned subsidiary with legacy exposures.

A distinguished educational background

Sciullo holds a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in politics and philosophy from the same university. She has also completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School. Prior to joining MSA Safety, Sciullo was a practising lawyer with Reed Smith, LLP. Her ties with academia remain strong as she serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University Schools of Law.

Sciullo will continue to operate from the company’s global headquarters in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. The transition marks a new era in the history of MSA Safety, one the world will watch closely.

MSA Safety announces Steve Blanco as President and Chief Operating Officer

by AmericasBreaking NewsPeople

Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety Incorporated has announced that its Board of Directors has elected Steve Blanco as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO). Previously, Blanco, aged 56, served as President of the firm’s Americas business segment since his appointment in 2017.

As the newly elected President and COO, Blanco will be responsible for directing the ongoing implementation of MSA’s strategic initiatives across its global reach. Meanwhile, Nish Vartanian will retain his roles as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the company.

“Steve’s election reflects the confidence that our Board of Directors and I have in his ability to lead the initiatives that will drive our future performance and enhance our productivity, processes and products on a global scale,” commented Vartanian.

Blanco’s leadership from 2018 to 2022 resulted in a 40 percent growth in the company’s Americas segment revenue. He played a crucial role in the acquisitions of Globe Manufacturing, Sierra Monitor, and Bacharach, Inc. during this period. Moreover, he was instrumental in devising and executing the MSA Business System, a synergy of behaviors, processes, and tools aimed at bolstering continuous improvement and superior performance across the enterprise.

“Steve has made numerous contributions to our success over the past decade and I very much look forward to working with him in this new role as we and our entire management team work to enhance MSA Safety’s position as the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of advanced safety solutions for workers,” added Vartanian.

Vartanian also highlighted that Blanco’s appointment is a part of the company’s longer-term strategy to cultivate its senior leadership further.

Before his election, Blanco joined MSA in 2012 as Vice President of Global Operational Excellence. In this role, he supervised the company’s worldwide manufacturing operations and pioneered the adoption of top-tier practices, enhancing MSA’s manufacturing efficiencies globally.

Prior to MSA Safety, Blanco held the position of Vice President of Manufacturing for the Electrical Sector at Eaton Corporation, a unit valued at $7 billion. He has also served Ford Motor Company and Visteon in various engineering, plant management, and operations roles. A Purdue University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering technology, Blanco also holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Blanco will carry out his expanded role from the company’s global headquarters in Cranberry Township, Pa.

Senior professionals attend IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference

by AmericasAmericas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsIFSJ ExclusivesIFSJ Leaders

On 11 May 2023, 308 senior professionals from the Middle East and Africa fire and safety industry gathered for International Fire & Safety Journal’s inaugural IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference for a day filled with high level networking and lively discussion.

Attendees at the event, which was held in association with MSA Safety at the Grosvenor Hotel, Dubai Marina, UAE, praised the conference for its high quality presentations and panel sessions which covered the most pressing issues facing leaders in the fire and safety sector today. Amid the rapid fire sessions, decision makers were able to convene and engage with one another and some key industry brands who supported the show.

Throughout the day there were a number of key themes including the impacts of sustainability on fire safety, crisis management, strategic leadership and mental health and wellbeing. The twelve presentations saw presenters in panellists, including Captain Essa Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Director of the Control and Monitoring Department at Dubai Civil Defense, Engineer Salma Humaid, Head of Engineering Section at Dubai Civil Defense and Peter Stephenson, Director, Fire Safety Division at Hydrock, address and debate these key issues.

After a period of networking during the opening of the event, delegates took their seats in the conference room and were welcomed by Ian Stokes, CEO, Centurian Media Ltd. (event organiser) and Terry Johnson, Technical Service Manager at ENOC and Regional President of The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) GCC Branch.

Dubai Civil Defense

Dubai Civil Defence (DCD), the emergency management organisation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates founded in 1976 and is responsible for protecting lives, properties, and the environment in Dubai, was a strategic partner of the conference and over 50 delegates from the organisation were in attendance.

Following introductions from the Chair, H.E. Lt. General Expert Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director-General of Dubai Civil Defense gave a welcome address, wishing attendees: “A fruitful and amazing time.”

H.E. Excellency Brigadier Expert Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, Assistant Director General of DCD for Fire and Rescue Affairs then gave a keynote address stating: “It is a great pleasure to be among so many stars at the leaders in fire and safety conference.”

Memorandum of Understanding

Following introductions, the conference saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dubai Civil Defense and the Institution of Fire Engineers, a  truly historic event creating a platform for sharing knowledge, learning and looking at best practices between the two organisations. The MoU was signed by Terry Johnson, IFE GCC Branch Regional President, H.E. Brigadier Expert Ali Hassan Al Mutawa, and Steve Hamm, Chief Executive of the IFE who called the MoU a ‘key milestone’.

The MoU established a branch within Dubai for the IFE that will be a space for CPD opportunities. His excellency said that DCD are an open platform and they the organisation is keen to interact with all parts of the world: “We have one goal: to make human life as safe as we can.”

DCD Readiness Programme

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the Dubai Civil Defence’s Readiness Programme on the day’s first presentation as Captain Essa Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Director of the Control and Monitoring Department at DCD, presented the world’s first AI-enabled fire readiness programme. The programme is a pre-emptive fire management system that uses artificial intelligence to analyse past incidents and recommend changes to avoid future events.

The presentation showcased the innovative approach taken by the Dubai Civil Defence to improve fire safety standards and highlighted the importance of incorporating AI into fire management systems.

Sustainability

Next up there was a panel discussion on the impact of sustainability on fire and life safety management in buildings and construction. The discussion was chaired by Alexander Castellanos, Head of Fire & Life Safety – Middle East at WSP, and the panellists included Engineer Salma Humaid, Head of Engineering Section at DCD, Peter Stephenson, Director, Fire Safety Division at Hydrock, Steven Reilly, Principal Engineer, Fire & Life Safety Lead MENA at Cundall, and Susan Lamont, Director, Fire Group Leader Middle East at Arup.

The panel looked at how a big part of sustainability will be repurposing and reusing existing building stock and the problem that is going to create for fire safety.

Data driven insights on the fireground

Jason Traynor, the General Manager at MSA Safety, then delivered a Ted-Talk style presentation on “Data driven insights on the fireground”, as part of the Platinum Sponsor Presentation. Traynor looked at the evolution of technology and its increasingly powerful ability to capture valuable data during fire incidents.

Technology and innovation

A panel discussion on “Technology and innovation: Dealing with the pace of change” was held at the conference. Duncan J. White, Managing Editor at International Fire and Safety Journal, chaired the discussion, which featured Captain Essa Ahmed Al-Mutawa, Director of the Control and Monitoring Department at DCD, Jason Traynor, General Manager at MSA, Paul Pope, Group Business Development Director at Global Fire Equipment, and Muzaffer Ahmed Syed, Regional Manager (Firestop) at fischer FZE as panellists.

The discussion focused on how technology and innovation are rapidly transforming every aspect of our lives, including the fire safety industry.

Health and wellbeing

Duncan J. White, IFSJ Managing Editor, led a passionate discussion about it being ‘okay not to be okay’ in the session on “Health and Wellbeing: Dealing with the human issues”. Panellists Sam Malins, Group CEO at Reacton Fire Suppression, Paul Pope, Group Business Development Director at Global Fire Equipment, Sawsan Dahham, Global Head of Fire and Life Safety at Dar, Cristina Perez Domper, Regional Manager at Intertek Building and Construction, and Joanne Taylor, Business Owner at De-Wipe, all shared their experiences of mental and physical health and how it impacts leadership.

“You can’t make good decisions if you’re not in good health,” said White.

Human performance

Sinclair Duffie, Chief Fire Officer at Nawah Energy Company, gave a presentation titled “Human Performance: Consciously competent?” at the conference. The presentation focused on the concept of human performance, which encompasses the effectiveness and efficiency with which individuals perform tasks, activities, or duties. It takes into account various factors, including cognitive, physical, emotional, and social capabilities, as well as external factors like training, motivation, stress, fatigue, and environmental conditions. “We have to understand that people are fallible – even the most competent can make a mistake,” said Duffie.

Lithium-ion in focus

The conference held a panel discussion titled “Lithium-ion Batteries: Challenges, risks, and resolutions,” chaired by Sajid Raza, the CEO of Butler Engineering ME. The panel featured Mark Fenton, Sales Director – EMEA & APAC at Amerex Corporation, Peter Van Gorp, Technical Director Fire, Life Safety and Loss Prevention at HKA, Eiad Shami, Senior Consultant, Fire & Life Safety at WSP, and Mrinaal Sapru, Head of Regional Sales for Dubai Civil Defence’s Emirates Safety Laboratory.

The discussion centred around the challenges, risks, and resolutions involved in the use of lithium-ion batteries, which have many benefits but require careful consideration of safety, environmental, and social factors to ensure responsible and sustainable use.

Forever chemicals in firefighting foam

The first afternoon panel discussion at the conference was titled “PFAS in firefighting foam” and was chaired by Peter Stephenson, Director of the Fire Safety Division at Hydrock. The panellists were Tomasz Kielbasa, Certification Manager at Emirates Safety Laboratory, Even Ottesen, International Sales Manager at DAFO Fomtec AB, Andy Hall, Owner and General Manager of Hall Fire and Safety Consultants, and Terry Johnson.

The discussion focused on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of manufactured chemicals used in firefighting foam, and the effectiveness of fluorine-free foam, testing standards, picking the best foam and its sustainable implications.

Protecting the transportation infrastructure

This was followed by panel discussion titled “The importance of protecting the transportation infrastructure,” which was chaired by Tom Wood, Regional Director, Middle East at Vortex Fire. The panel included Steve Walker, Director of Fire Safety at Hydrock, James Varley, Associate Director at WS Atkins, Engineer Pramod Challa, Senior Engineer at Dubai Civil Defense, and Terry Johnson.

The panel look at advancements in technology in building design and introducing new lightweight materials, testing, risk management, the risks posed by Lithium-ion and 3D Modelling.

Managing carcinogens

James Clarke, a Fire Officer with Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, delivered a presentation on “Managing carcinogens” at the conference. The presentation covered the risks associated with carcinogens, which are known to cause or increase the risk of developing cancer by damaging DNA or interfering with cellular processes that control cell growth and division. The cumulative effects of exposure to carcinogens over time can significantly increase the risk of cancer development.

On carcinogens in the fire sector, Clarke said: “The problem is real and is probably the single biggest threat outside of mental health to the fire industry worldwide.”

Crisis management and leadership

The conference held a panel discussion on “Crisis management,” which was chaired by Bob Rea, Director and Lead facilitator at BR Training Solutions Ltd. The panel featured Duncan J. White, Managing Editor at International Fire and Safety Journal, James Grew, Deputy Divisional Director at Hydrock, and Carlo Lovetti, Business Continuity Manager at Emirates Steel.

The discussion focused on the importance of crisis management in an organisation’s risk management strategy and the panel noted that: “If you’re not trained you can’t respond effectively.” Effective crisis management involves identifying potential crises, developing plans to mitigate and respond to them, and implementing those plans when a crisis occurs.

Finally, Howard Leedham MBE, MSc. Managing Director, ESID DMCC gave the day’s closing presentation looking at what leadership is, why it matters and if the style of leadership is important. During his presentation, Leedham asserted: “The one thing that you need to be a leader is consistency.”

A note from the IFSJ team

IFSJ would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the speakers, exhibitors, and attendees who participated in the inaugural IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference. Your contributions and participation have played a significant role in making this event a resounding success.

The presentations and panel discussions were informative, engaging, and thought-provoking, providing valuable insights into the latest trends, challenges, and solutions in the fire and safety industry. The exhibitors showcased their products and services, which provided attendees with a glimpse of the latest innovations and technologies.

Everyone who attended brought enthusiasm, energy, and a wealth of knowledge, contributing to the lively discussions and creating a vibrant atmosphere. Once again, thank you to everyone who participated and made this conference an event to remember – we’ll be back with more Leaders events soon!

MSA Safety wins $15 million LA City Fire Department contract

by Breathing ApparatusFeatured News

Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA Safety, Inc. has won a $15 million contract award to provide respiratory protective equipment to the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

This is the first phase of what is expected to be a two-phase order, with a second contract expected to total approximately $9 million. MSA Safety expects to receive the second contract from LA City in the third quarter.

Last year, MSA Safety announced a similar-size breathing apparatus contact with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and with this contract, MSA continues to strengthen its breathing apparatus market presence in the Southern California region. The decision to upgrade Los Angeles City’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) technology was made after a comprehensive evaluation process.

Factors that influenced the department’s selection of the G1 SCBA were its advanced technology and connectivity features, as well as the ability to upgrade the SCBA with new technologies as they become available.

Each new SCBA will feature an integrated thermal imaging camera (iTIC), which places thermal imaging capabilities into the hands of individual firefighters. The iTIC is part of the SCBA control module that houses other various electronics, and is one of many advanced features associated with the G1 breathing apparatus.

Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are incredibly proud to establish this new partnership with the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Most importantly, we’re honoured that the department has entrusted MSA with the responsibility of protecting the men and women who keep the residents of LA safe each day.”

G1 SCBA

With more than 15 patents, the G1 SCBA is the centerpiece of the MSA Connected Firefighter platform – a suite of advanced safety technologies that work in concert to significantly improve firefighter monitoring, accountability and communication. The SCBA utilizes embedded Bluetooth technology to transmit important data, including cylinder air pressure, battery status and various alarm indicators, to incident commanders via MSA’s FireGrid System.

Delivery of the new SCBA units is expected to begin immediately and be completed by the end of the fourth quarter. The SCBA conversion process will be led by representatives from MSA and Bauer Compressors, MSA’s distribution partner responsible for the sale and service of the contract. The Los Angeles City Fire Department helps to protect more than 4 million residents in the second largest city in the United States. The department has approximately 3,400 uniformed members, 114 fire stations, and handles more than 1,300 emergency calls each day.

MSA’s vision for the G1 breathing apparatus is to create the most advanced and versatile firefighting platform available, continuously raising the bar when it comes to deploying new technologies that improve firefighter health and safety. The G1’s unique ergonomic design, combined with an adjustable waist belt and wide shoulder straps, allows SCBA weight to be distributed more evenly on a firefighter’s hips. Collectively, these features make the SCBA more comfortable when worn for longer periods of time. Additionally, the G1 includes a “Central Power” feature that powers the entire unit from a single, rechargeable battery compartment, eliminating the need for additional batteries.

IFSJ Exclusive: Putting firefighters on the map with MSA Safety

by Breaking NewsFirefighting EquipmentIFSJ Exclusives

Matt Quigley, Product Platform Manager for MSA Connected Firefighter, and Selma Sosic, Product Line Manager for MSA FireGrid talk product development and FDIC

At FDIC in 2019, MSA Safety announced the Connected Firefighter Platform. Since then, the platform has grown and developed to incorporate new elements such as LUNAR and FireGrid. Ahead of FDIC 2023, which returns to Indiana Convention Centre on 24-29 April, IFSJ caught up with Matt Quigley, Product Platform Manager for MSA Connected Firefighter, and Selma Sosic, Product Line Manager for MSA FireGrid to learn more about the Platform, its development, latest additions and what’s coming next.

Can you give me an overview of the Connected Firefighter?

MQ: Our aim for the Connected Firefighter Platform is to utilise connectivity and technology to make firefighters and fire departments more capable. From what we see from the Global Fire Service market, firefighters are typically being asked to do more. What we see, especially in North America, is that the number of firefighters isn’t really growing. The fire service is essentially being called upon to do more with the same or less resources. Our intent for the Connected Firefighter is to utilise technology to essentially make fire departments more capable in three primary areas.

The first one is people: making firefighters safer with new technological tools. The second is products – we’re developing a lot of functionality that leverages technology and data to inform maintenance procedures to make the product last longer and be less burdensome to maintain. The final one is processes – we’re collecting information on firefighter behaviour to inform departments of additional training opportunities and to make them safer by bringing awareness to their behaviours.

A big part of the Connected Firefighter is our FireGrid cloud software. All of our connected products have wireless transmission capabilities to FireGrid, which is our centralized location for storing and providing insights from customer data. FireGrid is essentially the central focal point that’s gluing our entire platform together.

What are the major components that you’re offering for FireGrid?

SS: There are four key functionalities that FireGrid offers. The first one is the live incident management, meaning being able to monitor live MSA product data on scene to help the incident commander make more informed decisions in real time.

The second is our post-incident analytics. Firefighters don’t have to change anything about the way that they’re using the breathing apparatus, but because our devices are cloud-connected, all that data is stored in their account in the cloud, and we’re able to utilize that data to provide more insightful analytics and reporting for the customer to better inform things like training or on-scene procedures.

Third is Inventory Management and Compliance. We currently offer an inventory management solution where you’re able to track all of your MSA products and manage all of the relevant maintenance and compliance requirements for each asset. Because this tool is part of the cloud-based ecosystem, MSA is specifically able to link the G1 SCBA’s hours under pressure to the inventory management tool, allowing customers to save time and resources by maintaining SCBAs based on actual usage data.

The fourth component that FireGrid offers is the individual firefighter health and safety component which primarily takes the focus from looking at individual products to looking at individuals and behaviours.

MQ: With our head-to-toe portfolio, MSA is able to provide multiple types of equipment than an individual firefighter will use while on-scene. With the Connected Firefighter, we want to provide a singular repository of collected data from all of these products. That information can be very insightful for a department for improving safety in real time. A big focus that we have is then using that same information for driving improvements to the procedures and processes that happened after the scene has ended, such as maintaining equipment, training firefighters, and understanding their lifetime health and safety.

Can you talk a little bit about the development process of the Connected Firefighter Platform?

MQ: Voice of customer (VOC) activities are critical to how we develop products as MSA. It’s critically important for our engineers, our product marketers, and people who are responsible for designing and developing our products to have a partnership with fire departments to ensure that what we’re developing hits the mark and is actually solving a problem that they see in their everyday life.

VOC was a critical component of what led to our G1 SCBA becoming the G1 SCBA that it is today. More recently, our VOC collection activities have matured beyond just having dialogue and conversation to simulated experiences of using potential future products. We’ve evolved as our products and technology have evolved to create a much more immersive experience for firefighters and fire departments to provide us with valuable feedback.

SS: It’s not just a one-time conversation with the customer – as you’re going through the lifecycle or the development process, you’re continuously checking in with the customer to understand, ‘is this what you’re looking for? Does this meet the mark?’ The VOC process has helped us immensely as much as it’s helped the end user.

What has the customer response been to the Connected Firefighter?

MQ: We’ve had a lot of deeper, more intimate discussions with fire departments since we’ve launched the Connected Firefighter because of the capabilities of the technology provides. The Connected Firefighter has provided us the ability to work and partner with fire departments and show them discreetly how the products are being used, how firefighters are performing on scene, and opportunities that are discreetly understood and automatically provided in terms of making them visible to the fire department.

Before the Connected Firefighter existed, typically, the insights of how equipment was being used and how firefighters were behaving was circumstantial. It was word of mouth. It was what you visibly saw during a very stressful environment. I’m sure a tremendous amount of what actually happened either was not seen or potentially misinterpreted just because of all the chaos that was happening on the active scene.

The discussions that we’ve had have matured beyond just what the Platform is doing on scene, but also what this can do by giving access to data and making fire departments more capable, which was the aim of what we had when we started the Connected Firefighter journey a few years ago.

Are there any specific plans to further develop the platform?

SS: For FireGrid we have a couple of releases that we’re planning for in 2023. We will be expanding our inventory management platform on FireGrid to include both MSA and competitive turnout gear solutions – you’ll be able to add those into your inventory and track the history of those assets specifically related to cleaning and maintenance within the FireGrid platform.

We’ve also launched a large feature on FireGrid Monitor called Map View. We’re able to utilise the GPS location of our LUNAR devices to plot the individual firefighters on a map. You’re able to see not only air pressure from the G1 SCBA or any alarm status from the LUNAR device, but you’re also now able to see where that individual is relative to a location or building/structure.

We’re also advancing our FireGrid reporting capabilities. We will be expanding the data that we show within the reporting structure to focus on individual firefighter information as well.

MQ: In terms of how we’re planning to expand the platform, a lot of focus that we put into it is digitising and automating manual procedures that fire departments are actively doing today. A big one that we’re going to be launching this year is the reporting analytics capability. With the advent of a dashboard and deeper analytical tools, we’re able to provide insights a couple seconds after a scene has ended through an automatically generated report.

Typically, if there is an incident, a fire department has to manually create a report sometimes using pen and paper, by asking firefighters what happened. What we’re providing with these tools is the capability to automate that process – from an otherwise very manually intensive effort. We have a lot of launches this year that span the entire platform, including incident management, inventory management, and the reporting analytics capability that we’re planning to improve this year.

What is MSA showcasing at FDIC?

MQ: MSA’s aim for the show is to demonstrate the maturation and the growth that we’ve had with our Connected Firefighter Platform since we announced it in 2019. This year you’re going to see an explosion of new launches that we have on that platform, showing our continued commitment to growing and supporting our Connected products and our G1 SCBA which benefits from all this investment as well.

We had demonstrated a beta version of Map View at FDIC last year, and the response was overwhelmingly positive in terms of a visual representation of firefighter behaviour on scene. Now that we’ve launched it, that is something that we’re really excited for and getting strong feedback from customers.

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

MSA Safety adds FireGrid Map View to Connected Firefighter

by Breaking NewsFirefighting Equipment

MSA Safety has released FireGrid Map View, a software enhancement of MSA’s LUNAR Connected Device. Designed enhance situational awareness and firefighter accountability, Map View enables tracking of a firefighter’s estimated location when outside of a structure.

FireGrid Map View is accessible through FireGrid Monitor, MSA’s tablet-based on-scene monitoring application. It shows a firefighter’s approximate location as a color-coded marker, using a LUNAR device’s GPS capabilities and coordinates.

By tapping on a marker in Map View, an incident commander can access additional information about a firefighter’s team assignment, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air pressure, and alarm status in addition to their estimated location.

In the event that LTE cellular connection or GPS connection is lost, Map View will display the last known location of the firefighter.

Incident commanders can see the same information for a team of firefighters, allowing for better visualisation of where team members are located and to help support the rapid decision making that occurs on scene. The three selectable views in Map View are street view, satellite and terrain.

Map View is the latest enhancement to the MSA Connected Firefighter Platform, an ecosystem of products centred around the MSA G1 SCBA that includes LUNAR, FireGrid software, HUB, and ALTAIR portable gas detectors. Together, the platform helps to keep firefighters safe, connected, and accounted for on the fireground.

Map View is now available as an update to the FireGrid Monitor application through the iOS and Google Play App stores. Compatible LUNAR devices will require a firmware update and to be registered to a FireGrid account. For more information on FireGrid Map View and the Connected Firefighter Platform, click here.

MSA, DuPont and NVFC’s Globe Gear Giveaway returns

by Featured NewsFirefighting Equipment

Since 2012, Globe by MSA, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have partnered to provide turnout gear to fire departments in need. Applications for the 2023 giveaway are now open.

In 2023, MSA Safety will donate a total of 52 sets of turnout gear and 52 helmets (four per department) to 13 all-volunteer or mostly-volunteer fire departments in the U.S. and Canada.

To be eligible to apply, departments must meet be over 50% volunteer, serve a population of 25,000 or less, be located in the United States or Canada and be legally organized under state/province law [Indian/tribal entities not organized under state/province law are eligible].

Individuals applying on behalf of the department or department chief must be a member of the NVFC. MSA will provide complimentary NVFC memberships to the first 500 applicants.

Departments must also demonstrate a need for the gear. Only one application will be accepted per department and any subsequent applications received for that department will be disqualified. Recipients must use the donated items for the benefit of their department and not for any other purpose and cannot be resold.

Finally, recipients agree that their department name, details from application essay, and photo may be used in media by MSA, DuPont, and the NVFC for the purposes of promoting the donation program.

The scheme said that previous winners from the past two years are not eligible to apply.

View the official rules here and apply for the giveaway here.

IFSJ Exclusive: PPE to suit the modern firefighter with MSA Safety

by Featured NewsIFSJ ExclusivesPPE

Jason Traynor, General Manager of Global Fire Service Products at MSA Safety, explains how PPE has adapted to meet the changing role of today’s firefighters

The role of the firefighter has evolved in recent years, and the kinds of incidents attended by fire and rescue services (FRSs) across the globe are now more varied and complex.  Today, firefighters tend to spend a smaller percentage of their time fighting structural fires. This is partly thanks to considerable improvements in regulation and fire prevention initiatives over the last few decades, but can also be attributed to an increase in other incidents, including road and traffic collisions, and climate-related disasters, such as wildfires and flooding.

Instead, today’s fire responses tend to vary in type and complexity.  The types of events fire and rescue services are responding to range from road traffic accidents to chemical spills, medical incidents, storm damage and water rescues, and fire-related incidents ranging from structural or industrial fires to wildfires.

As a result, just as firefighters need a wide range of skills and training to operate effectively in these diverse situations, their PPE must also be adaptable and versatile so that it provides optimal protection. The challenge for PPE and fire safety equipment providers such as MSA, is to create ensembles that are lightweight, ergonomic, heat and flame resistant, and breathable, all while providing protection against pathogens, hazardous chemicals and the various elements firefighters face.

Structural Firefighting 

Full structural firefighting PPE, such as MSA’s XFlex and new Bristol X4 ranges, is a must when firefighters are called to tackle fires. These designs have a three-layer construction, with outer fabric to protect from heat and flame, while inner moisture barrier systems from WL Gore help to keep the body cool and dry. This type of PPE helps to protect firefighters from a dangerous rise in body temperature, known as heat stress.

Both ranges have been designed to be ergonomic and comfortable, providing both movement and flexibility.  Curved seams follow the shape of the body, while shoulder shaping, under arm gussets and back pleats make it easier for firefighters to move around.  Both XFlex and the Bristol X4 meet the requirements of CEN standard EN469:2020 Level 2 for firefighter protective clothing.

Urban Search & Rescue

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) PPE on the other hand, is ideal when firefighters have to work in confined spaces or attend road traffic accidents. These garments often have a two-layer construction incorporating a flame retardant outer layer with a waterproof membrane to provide flexibility and physical protection against injury when deployed in collapsed buildings or damaged vehicles, for example. MSA Bristol’s RescueFlex range consists of a rescue jacket and trouser based on our XFlex design. It is tear and puncture resistant, lightweight to minimize heat stress and provides protection against blood borne pathogens.  It also has reinforcements on the knee and elbow for protection when kneeling or crawling and offers a high level of flexibility for increased manoeuvrability.   RescueFlex meets the CEN standard EN:16689:2017 which specifies requirements for technical rescue clothing.

Increasingly, fire and rescue services are now moving towards a layered, mix-and-match approach to PPE, choosing to combine lightweight, high visibility rescue jackets with structural trousers when attending incidents like road traffic collisions.  In the UK, for example, 21 fire and rescue services across the country have procured MSA Bristol’s RescueFlex jackets in addition to full structural jackets and trousers through the Collaborative PPE Framework. 

Wildland firefighting

Specialist wildland firefighters require PPE that reflects the unique conditions faced in fighting fires on open ground, which are often highly unpredictable in nature and particularly susceptible to prevailing weather conditions and changes in wind direction.  In many areas of the world, wildland firefighting teams are largely made up of part-time volunteers, only called upon in the event of an emergency. As such, low cost, one-size-fits-all PPE designs have proven to be popular in the past, frequently featuring heavy fabrics coated with flame protection which would be washed out over time.

However, today’s fire services have a much greater understanding and acknowledgement of the dangers of wildfires, and are aware that to operate in the most safe and effective manner, firefighters require garments that are particularly light in weight and ergonomic, but also with high performance protection against flame. 

MSA Bristol’s Wildland Firefighting range has been specifically designed to offer maximum protection against fire while increasing comfort and ergonomics, therefore reducing the risk of heat-stress. The outer fabric of the garments is inherently flame retardant, meaning that its protective properties won’t be compromised when washed. The range meets the standard EN ISO: 15384:2020 for wildland firefighting clothing.

Helmets

In addition to selecting the right protective garments for the job, sourcing the right helmet to suit a variety of incidents is also crucial.  MSA’s iconic GALLET F1XF jet-style firefighting helmet continues to be a popular choice among fire services across the UK and beyond, and is suitable for structural firefighting. It offers superior, unimpeded vision in all directions, 360-degree head protection against heat and impact, and has lighting and communications integrated into the design for excellent quality radio communication.  Functional and versatile, the GALLET F1XF fits particularly well with MSA Bristol’s protective hoods and structural firefighting jackets.  

However, in response to the need for a more versatile helmet suitable for rescue operations, MSA has created the new GALLET F2XR – the first and only firefighters’ helmet on the market that can be used in a wide range of applications, including wildland firefighting and technical rescue operations, rescue at height and water rescue operations. 

Owing to its modular and versatile design, the GALLET F2XR suits a wide variety of working environments and meets the latest standards for Helmets for Wildland Firefighting (EN16471), Helmets for Technical Rescue (EN16473), Helmets for Mountaineers (EN12492), and Helmets for Water Rescue, and is compliant on both non-motorised and motorised rescue crafts (EN1385 +PAS028).

The new design features substantial upgrades in technology integration, comfort, weight and balance – all without compromising the quality, durability and safety performance expected from the MSA Gallet brand.  Innovative features include a retractable ocular visor which can be adjusted to fit the face, and fully integrated LED lamps including both a dual-beam headlamp providing spot lighting and a tail-light to help quickly identify teams on an incident scene. 

To ensure optimal airflow and keep wearers cool in hot weather, the helmet also incorporates dual ventilation on the side and at the top of the helmet.  Additional click-in accessories such as a face shield to guard against arc flash injuries and earmuffs for hearing protection with integrated communications, makes the F2XR helmet suitable for a wider range of operations. 

At MSA Safety, we are constantly adapting and updating our range of products so that they best serve the needs of the modern firefighter.   The success of the GALLET F2XR rescue helmet, along with the RescueFlex and Wildland Firefighting PPE ranges, demonstrates that it is possible to design and engineer integrated, adaptable and versatile PPE, suitable for a variety of applications, allowing fire and rescue services to better adapt to new scenarios and situations. 

While the role of a firefighter has diversified in recent years, I am proud that the PPE industry has risen to the challenge, creating new designs and styles that offer the very best protection for the job in hand.

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

MSA Safety is one of ‘America’s Most Responsible Companies’

by Featured NewsSafety

MSA Safety, the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products, has been named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023 by Newsweek, the second time it has been recognised by the annual list.

The list, compiled by Newsweek and its partner Statista, highlights organisations spanning 14 industries that strive to be good corporate citizens. The recognised companies were selected from a list of candidates that include the top 2,000 public companies headquartered in the United States, based on revenue.

Stephanie Sciullo, MSA Safety Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Affairs. commented on the recognition: “Helping to protect people at work has been the single focus of MSA Safety for more than a century. It’s what inspires our people to design, deliver and manufacture the world’s leading safety solutions that help to protect the people who put their trust in the MSA brand. This is ‘purpose at work.'”

Sciullo noted that MSA’s corporate social responsibility framework focuses on three key pillars: the company’s products, its people and the planet.

MSA’s annual CSR Report, which can be accessed here, details MSA’s ongoing efforts and progress against the company’s CSR goals, including investments in products, solutions and services that reimagine the next generation of worker safety.

Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer commented: “The companies that consistently improve in these areas are the ones that will have the greatest level of success going forward, because each of these programs help to build a better, more resilient business model. Most of all, our mission instills an incredible sense of pride among our global workforce.”

The Newsweek recognition follows being named in 2022 by Forbes nationally as one of America’s best employers for diversity.

In addition, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette named MSA as a Top Workplace in the large company category in the region, representing the ninth time the company has earned that distinction. MSA was also individually recognised by the Post-Gazette with a special award for “Meaningfulness,” reflecting the sentiments MSA employees expressed with regard to their work and being part of something meaningful for society.

IFSJ Exclusive: Connection, Compatability and Comfort with MSA

by Breaking NewsSafety

MSA Safety reveals the latest firefighting equipment it has in store for the Middle East fire market at Intersec

Intersec 2023 is set to see MSA Safety introducing a new line of protective clothing to the Middle East fire market, along with advanced safety equipment and innovative Connected Firefighter solutions.

The global leader in firefighter safety equipment and technology, will be introducing a new line of firefighter protective clothing for the Middle East fire market at Intersec 2023.  The MSA® Bristol X4 uses the very latest fabric and fiber technology alongside modern streamlined styling to provide enhanced comfort, ergonomics and protection.

Originally launched at Interschutz for firefighters on the continent, the Bristol X4 design has been adapted to suit the various needs and preferences of fire services in the Middle East, featuring premium materials such as Hainsworth Titan outer fabric with a Gore Parallon moisture barrier for ultimate comfort and breathability, along with reflective taping in specific figurations favored by Civil Service firefighters.

The new line meets European CEN standard EN469:2020 Level 2 for firefighter protective clothing, as well as EN1149:2018 for anti-static properties.  It is available in a wide range of color combinations to suit regional preferences and can be customised with a selection of optional pockets and loops to accommodate specific equipment. 

Crucially, the Bristol X4 also offers full compatibility with MSA’s suite of state-of-the art firefighter equipment, from helmets and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to the very latest in monitoring accountability and communication devices.

“We’re excited to be showcasing the latest version of the MSA Bristol X4 line, which has been strategically adapted to suit fire services in the Middle East.  Visitors to Intersec will be able to see first-hand how the design integrates with other MSA products to provide superior comfort and protection,” said Dave Howells, Vice President Business Leader EMEA. 

MSA Safety will also be showcasing its Connected Firefighter Platform – a suite of advanced safety technologies, which includes the LUNAR® Connected Device and FireGrid® software services, that work in collaboration to significantly improve firefighter monitoring, accountability and communication. 

LUNAR is a multifunctional handheld device, combining personal thermal imaging capabilities with Firefighting Assisting Search Technology (F.A.S.T.), for alerting and guiding firefighters to teammates in difficulty.  In addition, cloud connectivity provides incident command with an overview of on-scene operations by aggregating data from other MSA devices, such as the M1 breathing apparatus, transmitting key SCBA information such as cylinder air pressure, battery status and various alarm indicators. In turn, FireGrid gives incident commanders the ability to evaluate and manage multiple situations in real time and from any location.

Visitors to Intersec can experience this innovative technology in person with demonstrations on the MSA stand at Intersec (stand number 2-F12).

Alongside these latest innovations, a host of MSA PPE and equipment for the fire industry will be on display, suitable for a wide range of first responder roles and applications, including:

Structural firefighting

  • High quality, ergonomic protective clothing lines including XFlex and the new Bristol X4.
  • Industry-leading fire helmets such as the iconic Gallet F1XF.
  • The modular and versatile M1 SCBA which can be upgraded to accommodate advancing technologies.

Technical Rescue

  • RescueFlex protective clothing, designed for Urban Search and Rescue operations, confined space operations and road traffic accidents.
  • The recently launched, modular rescue helmet, Gallet F2XR which is particularly versatile with accessories to suit a variety of operations.

Wildland Firefighting

  • MSA’s Wildland Firefighting protective clothing range is constructed from a single layer of flame retardant fabric, meaning that it’s lightweight, cool and effective when fighting wildfires.

MSA’s Middle East Sales Manager, Yassin Afroukh, comments: “With such an extensive portfolio of safety solutions, MSA is uniquely placed to provide the Middle East’s industrial and Civil Defence fire services with a full suite of protection for their firefighters, from helmets, clothing, and advanced SCBA, to gas detection and innovative safety monitoring. 

“We have identified significant opportunities to further serve these markets and are demonstrating our commitment to the region by expanding our sales team to help meet demand.”

To stay up to date with the latest news from MSA at Intersec, visit the company’s stand at 2-F12 or follow MSA Fire’s Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

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