The first recipients in MSA Safety’s 2026 Globe Gear Giveaway have been announced, with volunteer fire departments in Maine and Virginia each receiving new turnout gear and fire helmets to support firefighter safety and operational readiness.
The Mariaville Volunteer Fire Department in Maine and the Bland County Volunteer Fire Department in Virginia have each been awarded four sets of Globe turnout gear and MSA Cairns helmets through the annual program, which is delivered in partnership with Nomex and Kevlar for Personal Protection and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
In 2026, 13 departments will receive a total of 52 sets of protective gear. Since the initiative launched in 2012, more than $2 million worth of equipment has been donated to help volunteer firefighters replace outdated or non-compliant PPE and continue serving their communities safely.
“This is the fifteenth year of the Globe Gear Giveaway, and the NVFC is extremely proud to have been part of the program from the beginning,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “We thank MSA Safety and Nomex and Kevlar for Personal Protection for their longstanding commitment to the volunteer fire service and firefighter safety. Thanks to this program, hundreds of responders are better prepared and equipped to help their neighbors in need.”
Mariaville Volunteer Fire Department has 18 active members and provides fire, EMS, search and rescue, and other emergency response services to Mariaville and Otis, Maine.
The department also supports neighboring towns with mutual aid and coverage as the only department in the area with interior-certified firefighters. Based in a small rural area with about 1,200 year-round residents and a seasonal increase in visitors, the department’s budget covers basic operating expenses but leaves little room for replacing critical gear.
Several of Mariaville’s most active firefighters are using gear that has already expired or is due to expire within the year. Lieutenant Scott Helstrom said the impact of losing those responders would be significant: “Without our department, residents here would be waiting 30-40 minutes or more for response from the nearest career department.”
Bland County Volunteer Fire Department, located in the mountains of southwest Virginia, is a fully volunteer department serving approximately 6,000 residents across a large response area.
The department responds to structure fires, vehicle accidents, wildland and brush fires, medical assist calls, and hazmat incidents. It is also actively recruiting new volunteers, but equipping recruits with properly fitted and compliant PPE has remained a major challenge.
“Inadequate or outdated gear directly impacts our ability to train and operate safely,” said Fire Chief Jonathan Dunn. “Without properly fitted, NFPA-compliant protective equipment, recruits cannot participate fully in live fire training, interior structural firefighting, or hands-on emergency scenario drills.”
The new turnout gear and helmets are expected to improve operational readiness, allow new members to train safely, and increase the number of interior-qualified firefighters available for emergency calls. Dunn said: “Properly equipped volunteers means faster response, stronger fireground operations, and better protection for the citizens who depend on us. Investing in protective gear is an investment in both firefighter safety and the long-term resilience of our department and community.”
