FIRE AID is delighted to announce a new partnership with MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA). MSA are the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety solutions that protect people and facility infrastructures. In January 2021, MSA acquired UK based Bristol Uniforms, the acquisition strengthens MSA’s position as a global leader in fire service protective personal equipment products while providing an avenue to expand its business in the UK and key European markets. As a result MSA has affirmed its commitment to protecting fire fighters in developing countries by agreeing a 3 year partnership to support FIRE AID and its projects. Through this partnership MSA will help deploy repurposed Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to fire fighters in desperate need and often with limited access to protective equipment.

Bob Leenen, President of MSA Safety’s International business segment said: “MSA’s mission is to see to it that men and women may work safety throughout the world, and that speaks to the heart as to why we chose to partner with FIRE AID. We want to do what we can to help fire fighters in need, while also being environmentally responsible. In working with FIRE AID, we can assist in the repurposing of equipment in a way that helps protect fire-fighters, the communities they serve and the environment. It truly is a win, win, win initiative.”

Incorporated in the partnership agreement MSA will provide a direct donation of their new firefighting equipment, providing fire services with access to the latest technology in firefighter personal protective equipment, this equipment would have been inaccessible to these services without MSA’s support.

FIRE AID’s coordinator, Claire Hoyland said: “First responders in many developing countries endeavour to save lives every day while they themselves work without basic personal protective equipment and with outdated equipment. Not only are they risking their own lives every day, but they are unable to provide proper care to victims in need which, in turn, means lives are lost that could have been saved. MSA Safety’s donation is very much appreciated; I am delighted that suppliers are starting to see how much of a massive impact they can have by supporting our work. This partnership with MSA will go a long way in helping to protect emergency workers and save innocent lives. We hope it will encourage other large suppliers to consider their own corporate social responsibility (CSR).”

Stephanie Sciullo, MSA’s Chief Legal Officer and Executive Sponsor of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility endeavours explained that the partnership with FIRE AID is a natural fit with MSA’s CSR platform. “Safety is the mission of MSA, and creating a better world is a goal for our CSR efforts. We are proud to be able to partner with FIRE AID on this meaningful initiative. For more than a century, MSA products have helped protect the lives of tens of millions of workers around the world every day. We are proud that our mission can make a lasting impact on communities worldwide,”