Departments in IL and MO Receive New Turnouts and Helmets Through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway

November 19, 2024

Safe and adequate personal protective equipment is essential to firefighters performing at their best. However, many volunteer fire departments lack the resources to purchase new gear, leaving them to function with old, torn, and non-compliant equipment. To help combat this issue, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has partnered with MSA Safety and DuPont Personal Protection to award 13 volunteer fire departments with new turnout gear and helmets in 2024.

Through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway program, which is now in its 13th year, a total of 715 sets of gear and 260 helmets have been awarded to 160 volunteer fire departments, not including the 2024 recipients. As in previous years, this year’s recipients are being announced monthly from July through December, and the first 500 applicants received a complimentary NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

Congratulations to the latest recipients: East Galesburg (IL) Volunteer Fire Department and Terre Du Lac Fire Department (Bonne Terre, MO). Each department will receive four new sets of Globe turnout gear and four MSA Cairns® fire helmets to provide protection to their volunteer firefighters. Learn about the latest recipients below.

East Galesburg Volunteer Fire Department

Located in western Illinois, the East Galesburg Volunteer Fire Department is fully volunteer and dedicated to serving a small, close-knit community. The department’s mission is to protect lives and property through a range of emergency services, including fire response, medical aid, motor vehicle accident assistance, and hazardous material rescues. With a population under 1,000, many of whom are elderly residents on fixed incomes, the community faces challenges in securing sufficient funding for essential firefighting and emergency response equipment.

Due to limited financial resources, the department relies heavily on donations and fundraising efforts. Updated equipment “will have our firefighters and emergency personnel more confident and capable to assist with emergency situations,” said the department’s secretary-treasurer Tricia Adams. This vital gear will also support volunteer retention efforts, as much of the current equipment dates back to 2007 and is overdue for replacement.

Terre Du Lac Fire Department

Terre Du Lac Fire Department serves a private lake community in Missouri, featuring 16 recreational lakes and a year-round population of 2,400. However, during the summer that population swells to about 10,000. The department operates on limited funding, primarily sourced from homeowners’ association dues. The Terre Du Lac Fire Department provides EMS services and mutual aid to 24 neighboring fire departments. Given the area’s numerous lakes, they also aim to strengthen their water rescue capabilities.

Finding funding for necessities such as turnout gear has been difficult. “With limited or not enough turnout gear sometimes members share gear depending on who’s on the call or sometimes some members have no gear, and this reduces the manpower need on the scene,” said fire chief Jeff Romines. The new gear will enable the department to offer new training classes and enhance the safety and effectiveness of their operations, ultimately benefiting the whole community.

About Globe Manufacturing Company and MSA Safety
Globe Manufacturing Company, a leader in fire service protective clothing, is a subsidiary of MSA Safety Incorporated. MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA) is the global leader in advanced safety products, technologies and solutions. Driven by its singular mission of safety, the Company has been at the forefront of safety innovation since 1914, protecting workers and facility infrastructure around the world across a broad range of diverse end markets while creating sustainable value for shareholders. With 2023 revenues of $1.8 billion, MSA Safety is headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania and employs a team of over 5,000 associates across its more than 40 international locations. For more information, please visit www.MSAsafety.com.

About DuPont Personal Protection
From first responders to industrial workers, DuPont provides a wide range of personal protection solutions, including some of the most trusted and innovative brands in the industry, such as Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek® and Tychem® to meet your safety needs. More information can be found at personalprotection.dupont.com.

About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at www.dupont.com. Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at investors.dupont.com.

DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with ™, ℠ or ® are trademarks, service marks, or registered trademarks of affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

About the NVFC
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical resources, programs, education, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.