MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA), DuPont Personal Protection (DuPont), and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) are helping volunteer fire departments obtain much-needed turnout gear, through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway.
Now in its tenth year, the program has provided over US$ 1 million worth of fire safety gear to assist volunteer fire departments in need.
Globe Gear Giveaway
In 2021, 13 fire departments will each receive four sets of turnout gear and four helmets, in order to help them enhance the safety of their firefighters. The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA Safety Incorporated.
The latest recipients of MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway are the Midland (PA) Volunteer Fire Department and Springville (TN) Volunteer Fire Department.
Midland Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD)
Although, the MVFD has 12 sets of turnout gear, all of the sets are 24 years old and in poor shape
The Midland Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) is an all-volunteer department located in rural western Pennsylvania. Serving a population of approximately 2,700 over a 2.1 square-mile-area, MVFD responds to an average of 240 calls annually.
Although, the MVFD has 12 sets of turnout gear, all of the sets are 24 years old and in poor shape. Other personal protective equipment (PPE) is also either lacking or severely out of date, making it difficult to properly outfit current members and bring on new members.
Providing turnout and safety gear
The Midland Volunteer Fire Department receives no financial support from the local government and therefore, relies entirely on community support. They lack a facility, where they could host events, making fundraising difficult.
“We are in desperate need of firefighting gear,” said Chief Joseph Ditri of the Midland Volunteer Fire Department. The donation of turnout gear and helmets from MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway will be a game changer for the department, by providing critical protection for their dedicated volunteers.
Springville Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD)
Located in the mountains of rural western Tennessee, the Springville Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) protects 20 square miles and a population that can swell to 2,800, during the summer tourist season.
The Springville Volunteer Fire Department’s nine volunteers are equipped with out-of-date, worn, and even torn gear that no longer meets NFPA safety standards. Every time SVFD’s volunteers respond to an emergency, they are put at risk due to their outdated gear. Furthermore, due to funding constraints, they are unable to purchase new gear without outside help.
“Receiving this gear would not only allow us to continue to serve our community, but to do it in safer and more secure manner,” said Lieutenant Charles Asher of the Springville Volunteer Fire Department, adding “To know that the volunteers’ equipment will protect them and hold up to the very minimum NFPA requirement, will give them much needed relief.”