The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has named the Atwater (MN) Fire Department and the Hydro (OK) Fire Department on being the latest recipients of MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway.
Each department will receive four new sets of Globe turnout gear and four MSA Cairns fire helmets to help protect their volunteer firefighters.
Each year, MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection and the NVFC partner to provide volunteer fire departments with much-needed personal protective equipment.
Now in its 14th year, the giveaway program has awarded 767 sets of gear and 312 helmets to 173 volunteer fire departments.
An additional 52 sets of gear and helmets are being awarded this year, with announcements being made between July and December.
The first 500 applicants also received a one-year NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.
The Atwater (MN) Fire Department serves the City of Atwater and surrounding rural areas, protecting a population of about 3,500 across 78 square miles.
Staffed entirely by volunteer firefighters and EMTs, the department responds to roughly 40 calls each year, including structure and wildland fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and severe weather events.
Serving a small town with a limited tax base, the department does its best to maintain adequate equipment, training and protective gear with a constrained budget.
Recently, the department welcomed four female volunteers, a major step forward in broadening participation and strengthening their ranks.
However, these firefighters have been relying on outdated, ill-fitting turnout gear originally designed for men. This has raised serious safety and comfort concerns.
Engineer Allen Walther explained: “Properly fitted turnout gear is essential for firefighter safety, training, and confidence.
“Receiving this donation will ensure our new members have gear that fits correctly, keeps them protected and allows them to perform at their best.
“It also shows our community that anyone willing to serve is supported and valued.”
The Hydro (OK) Fire Department serves a 100-square-mile area, protecting approximately 2,000 residents and a heavily traveled stretch of Interstate 40 that sees nearly 28,000 vehicles daily.
The department’s 14 volunteer firefighters respond to an average of 280 calls annually, including structure fires, wildland fires, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents and medical emergencies.
Hydro Fire also provides mutual and automatic aid to neighboring departments, extending its reach to more than 475 square miles and 15,000 residents.
Despite the large coverage area and growing call volume, the department operates on limited funding, with an annual budget of about $35,000.
Fire Chief Benjamin Slagell shared: “Our turnout gear was purchased nearly a decade ago thanks to a local donation, but much of it is now expiring.
“To remain NFPA compliant, we need to replace 15 sets within the next two years. This donation allows us to begin that process, improving firefighter safety and keeping our team ready to respond.”
The NVFC has named the Atwater (MN) Fire Department and the Hydro (OK) Fire Department on being the latest recipients of MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway.
