Given the unpredictable and hazardous nature of firefighting, where seconds could mean the difference between life and death, there’s nothing more important for firefighters than being connected as a team. That’s why MSA Safety Incorporated, the pioneer in firefighter safety, today announced a breakthrough innovation to help make firefighting a safer profession.
At the annual Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Ind., the Pittsburgh-based company today unveiled LUNAR – a small, wireless, cloud-ready device designed to provide higher levels of protection for firefighters through enhanced vision, improved situational awareness and team connectivity.
Stand-Alone Device
LUNAR’s proprietary technology keeps firefighters connected in a broad range of ways
LUNAR represents the latest addition to a suite – or ecosystem – of MSA products that enable a level of accountability never before achieved in the fire service industry. When used together on a fireground or while responding to any other type of hazard, this suite of products provides a new platform for firefighter safety the company has branded as ‘Connected Firefighter.’
Designed for use as a stand-alone device, or as part of an MSA SCBA system, LUNAR’s proprietary technology keeps firefighters connected in a broad range of ways, including:
- Person-to-person ranging, which enables firefighters to find each other using distance and direction data, even when one may be incapacitated;
- GPS location, which provides safety officers or incident commanders a birds-eye view of all LUNAR devices on scene;
- Personal thermal imaging, which is visible through an immersive 3.5” high-resolution display; and
- A motion-detected, man-down alarm, which provides an added value for those responding to fire calls where an SCBA is not deployed.
Enhancing Firefighter Safety
The MSA Hub, a small, modular device that enables on scene data and asset management
“Accounting for all firefighters on a fire ground has been a consistent need expressed by the fire service profession, but it’s also been a challenge for many manufacturers to solve,” said Jason Traynor, General Manager of Global Respiratory Protection and Fire Helmets for MSA.
“When we looked at what we could do to enhance firefighter safety, we listened to feedback from thousands of firefighters. We then took those insights and used a holistic approach to build a connected ecosystem of products where the sum of the individual components is the key to keeping firefighters better connected – and safer – than ever before.”
Other products comprising the Connected Firefighter platform include:
- The company’s G1 SCBA;
- The MSA Hub, a small, modular device that enables on scene data and asset management; and
- The MSA Cloud Platform, which gives incident commanders the ability to evaluate and manage multiple situations at one time from any location.
Firefighter Safety Equipment Technology
LUNAR and our Connected Firefighter platform are great examples of how we’ve continued to invest in R&D"
According to Nish Vartanian, MSA President and CEO, the introduction of LUNAR – and the potential it represents – delivers on the vision of having it’s G1 SCBA serve as a flexible platform for the future. “When we introduced the G1 SCBA in 2014, we did so with the goal of making it adaptable to new technology as soon as it becomes available which, in turn, raises the level of firefighter safety on a continuous and rolling basis,” commented Mr. Vartanian.
“LUNAR and our Connected Firefighter platform are great examples of how we’ve continued to invest in R&D and technology to make this vision a reality.” In addition to LUNAR, MSA introduced two other new products that also represent a step forward in the evolution of firefighter safety equipment technology.
These are:
- MSA’s Globe Pant System, which offers four new ‘fits’ of turnout pants – Slim, Regular, Relaxed, and Women’s – that enhance firefighters’ performance and comfort while ensuring their protection and safety; and
- MSA’s Globe Guard™ System, which are optional components for turnout coats and pants that are designed to help reduce exposure to toxic substances on the job while still providing high breathability, moisture management, and flame resistance.
Head-To-Toe Protection
The company expects to begin production of LUNAR in Summer 2020
Also on display will be the company’s game-changing G1 SCBA, breakthrough integrated Thermal Imaging Camera (iTIC), ATHLETIX™ turnout gear that deploys new material technology with unique stretch fabrics to provide a body-contoured fit that is lighter weight with less bulk and more flexibility, and SUPRAFLEX™ boots, a lighter weight firefighter boot that provides comfort and unprecedented flexibility by incorporating continuous segmented flex panels.
“As a leading manufacturer providing firefighters with head-to-toe protection, our focus on connectivity is a great example of how technology can enable the integration of other MSA products into this Connected Firefighter platform,” continued Mr. Vartanian.
“As we continue to deliver on our mission of protecting people at work, I feel we are uniquely positioned to exceed the expectations of those who put their trust in the MSA brand and do so in a way they’ve come to expect from MSA – with speed, agility and customer-driven innovation.” The company expects to begin production of LUNAR in Summer 2020.
