MSA Safety Incorporated Slated To Unveil Cairns XF1 Jet-Style Fire Helmet At FDIC International 2018

After revolutionizing the firefighter safety market with the introduction of the industry’s first and only thermal imaging camera integrated into the firefighter’s breathing apparatus, MSA Safety Incorporated plans to turn heads once again, this time with helmets. The company has announced it will debut a new jet-style fire helmet, called the Cairns XF1, at the annual Fire Department Instructor’s Conference (FDIC International 2018), scheduled to take place in Indianapolis, Indiana, from April 23 -28, 2018.

According to Steve Blanco, President of MSA Safety Incorporated’s business in the Americas, the XF1 helmet is just one of several new and innovative products the company is introducing that support overall firefighter safety. Mr. Blanco said, “Protecting firefighters is what we do. And for more than a century, we’ve been committed to continuously innovating on behalf of firefighters across the globe.”

Cairns XF1 helmet

The XF1 helmet incorporates LED lights, an integrated communication system and can easily be disassembled to clean

The Cairns XF1 helmet represents a new addition to the MSA firefighter helmet line and is one that represents a significant style departure from the ‘brim-style’ helmet, which is traditionally preferred by U.S. firefighters. The new style delivers enhanced technology integration while maintaining the quality, durability, and safety performance firefighters have come to expect from MSA’s Cairns brand.

The XF1 helmet incorporates LED lights, an integrated communication system and can easily be disassembled to clean, thereby helping firefighters comply with various cancer prevention directives, published by renowned agencies, such as the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN).

Partnership with FCSN

In 2017, MSA Safety Incorporated established a three-year sustaining partnership with the FCSN to help raise awareness of the cancer risks faced by firefighters. “Establishing our partnership with the FCSN was a natural extension of our commitment to supporting the industry’s heightened focus on the overall well-being of firefighters,” said Steve Blanco.

He adds, “One way we’ve supported this movement, from a product standpoint, has been through the development of easily removable SCBA and fire helmet textile ‘soft goods’, which can then be laundered to help reduce firefighter exposure to toxins.”

Enhancing firefighter safety

According to Steve Blanco, these collective changes are significant and are representative of an overall shift taking place within the fire service industry at large.

He stated, “And because of that, we know we have to support this movement and continue to raise the bar from a product development perspective, to help protect firefighters in ways never before possible.”

Tactical performance and fitness of firefighters

MSA Safety Incorporated’s mission has always been about protecting the health and safety of workers"

Firefighter safety, however, extends beyond the use of products. It also encompasses tactical performance and fitness, cardiac health, mental readiness, and injury prevention. That’s the reason MSA has chosen to partner with O2X, the world’s renowned provider of human performance training and education for first responders, military personnel, elite organizations, and other tactical athletes.

MSA Safety’s President for the Americas region, Steve Blanco said, “MSA Safety Incorporated’s mission has always been about protecting the health and safety of workers and the products we develop address the protective equipment aspects of that mission.”

Educating firefighters on fitness and health

He adds, “But our partnership with O2X is more about habits, practices and overall firefighter health, and what we, as a renowned safety equipment manufacturer, can do to support the industry’s growing focus and awareness of this important issue.”

As part of this partnership, and in connection with FDIC, MSA will be granting 30 well-deserving firefighters with tactical athlete scholarships designed to educate firefighters on proper fitness, nutrition, and overall health and wellness practices. Winners of the scholarships will be announced live at the MSA booth at FDIC International 2018, on Friday, April 27, 2018.

MSA fire safety products at FDIC 

Other new products that MSA Safety Incorporated plans to showcase at FDIC International 2018 include:

• The MSA Hub, a cloud-based solution that allows incident commanders to evaluate and manage multiple situations at one time from anywhere.
• Globe SUPRAFLEX boots, a lighter weight firefighter boot that provides comfort and unprecedented flexibility by incorporating continuous segmented flex panels.
• Vibram Arctic Grip Pro, an optional outsole for Globe firefighter boots that are specifically engineered to perform on wet ice.
• Turnout Interface Guards, which are designed to help reduce exposure to toxic substances without adding heat stress on the firefighter.

G1 SCBA, PPE equipment on display

Also on display, MSA’s G1 SCBA, breakthrough integrated Thermal Imaging Camera and ATHLETIX turnout gear

Also on display will be MSA’s game-changing G1 SCBA, breakthrough integrated Thermal Imaging Camera (iTIC), and 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.

Other MSA Safety Incorporated activities at the FDIC International 2018 event will include the company’s official sponsorship of the conference’s firefighter training classes and exercises, where participants will use MSA Evolution 6000 thermal imaging cameras.

MSA Block Party and G1 Readiness Race

Furthermore, back by popular demand is the MSA Block Party and G1 Readiness Race, where participants will compete head-to-head to don, doff and interact with MSA Safety’s Cairns XF1 helmet, ATHLETIX jacket, and G1 SCBA fire safety equipment.

In addition to donating a sum of US$ 50 per participant to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), MSA Safety Incorporated will also award the participants with the fastest time five G1 iTIC upgrade kits and their choice of a Cairns leather or XF1 helmet.