By Derek Rosenfeld
Easily two of the most visible and popular companies to appear on the Indianapolis Convention Center floor at FDIC International 2018, Globe by MSA and MSA boasted one of the largest and most attended booths of the week as they displayed their latest innovations in firefighter safety and equipment.
At nearly an acre in size, the Globe by MSA/MSA booth was a sight to behold, offering a number of hands-on, interactive experiences on the latest and greatest products and enhancements offered by the companies, which included such diverse products as high-level personal protective equipement, slip-resistant firefighting boots, and wireless telecommunications hubs.
The SUPRAFLEX™ Boot
The first new product on display was the slip-resistant SUPRAFLEX™ boot, a lighter weight firefighter boot that provides comfort and unprecedented flexibility by incorporating continuous segmented flex panels.
Fire Engineering Associate Editor Derek Rosenfeld was among the many who tried out the new SUPRAFLEX™ boot on the ascending ice block station at GLOBE by MSA’s booth on the floor of the Indianapolis Convention center. (Photo by Mary Sartwell.)
Among the many features of the SUPRAFLEX™ boot includes:
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CONTINUOUS SEGMENTED FLEX PANELS. Throughout the front of the shaft and top of the foot to provide unprecedented flexibility to make these boots feel like your favorite pair of athletic shoes. - RECESSED SIDE PULL-ON HANDLES. Integral pull-on handles are inset on the sides and hidden when not needed.
- REAR CARRY LOOPS. Flexible NOMEX® webbing loops allow easy carrying when installed in turnout pants.
- DRAGONHIDE® FABRIC. Fabric panels are made from DRAGONHIDE® − a highly abrasion, cut, flame, and water-resistant fabric so tough that it is used to reinforce turnout gear.
- FLAME- AND WATER-RESISTANT LEATHER. Pebble grain leather with tumbled leather collar and vamp.
- GORE® CROSSTECH® FOOTWEAR FABRIC. A full-height bootie liner made from a package of Omaha lining fabric, 300g insulation, and GORE® CROSSTECH® moisture barrier provides protection unmatched by any other waterproof, breathable barrier.
- KEVLAR® BLEND PROTECTIVE SHIELD. Protects the GORE® CROSSTECH® moisture barrier, provides cut resistance, and adds thermal protection.
- COMPOSITE SAFETY TOE CAP. Lighter than steel, doesn’t transmit heat or cold, and exceeds NFPA standards for safety.
- COMPOSITE PUNCTURE PROTECTION. Far more flexible than a steel plate and doesn’t transmit heat or cold. Exceeds NFPA standards.
- COMPOSITE SHANK. Lighter than steel, doesn’t transmit heat or cold, springs back to shape better.
Here, Globe by MSA Regional Sales Manager Shea Spindler gives us an up-close look at the company’s new SUPRAFLEX™ boot, which takes slip resistance and comfort in firefighting boots to a whole new level.
To learn more about the SUPRAFLEX™ boot, click HERE.
The MSA HUB and the XF1 Fire Helmet
The MSA Hub is a cloud-based solution allowing incident commanders to evaluate and manage multiple situations at one time from anywhere.
Here, MSA Safety Fire Service Marketing Manager Sean Meigs gives us the basics of the MSA Hub, which is expected to be available in the coming months.
Meigs also took the time to show us the MSA’s new Cairns XF1 Jet-Style Fire Helmet, debuting at the show, which features LED lights and an integrated communication system and can easily be disassembled to clean, thereby helping firefighters comply with various cancer prevention directives published by leading agencies like the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
GLOBE Particulate Hood Barrier
Another product making its debut at FDIC International 2018 is the GLOBE by MSA Particulate Hood Barrier
Here, Globe by MSA National Sales Manager Mark Dolim gives us a detailed look at the particulate hood barrier, designed to protect the responding firefighter from all manner of harmful chemicals encountered on the fireground.
To see more of GLOBE by MSA’s and MSA’s FDIC International 2018 presence, visit www.MSAFire.com/FDIC2018.
ABOUT MSA
Established in 1914, MSA Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company’s comprehensive product line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of markets, including the oil, gas and petrochemical industry, the fire service, the construction industry, mining and the military. MSA’s core products include self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, firefighter protective apparel and helmets, and fall protection devices.
With 2017 revenues of $1.2 billion, MSA employs approximately 4,700 people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, and has manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40 international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its revenue from outside North America. For more information visit MSA’s web site at www.MSAsafety.com.
ABOUT GLOBE by MSA
On July 31, 2017, Globe Holding Company, LLC was acquired by MSA Safety Incorporated. Globe and MSA share a common culture, values, and mission to see to it that men and women may work in safety and that they, their families, and their communities may live in health throughout the world. Together, we will be better able to serve firefighters by providing innovative, head-to-toe PPE solutions that advance innovation in firefighter performance and safety.
Globe invented turnout gear 130 years ago. Today we still deliver the most advanced, best-fitting, and longest-lasting protection by listening to our customers, creating breakthrough designs, and applying the engineering skills of the nation’s most trusted manufacturer.
Globe operates two plants that build turnout gear (Pittsfield, New Hampshire and Ada, Oklahoma) and one that builds footwear (Auburn, Maine). These plants incorporate some of the latest manufacturing technology available and employ 425 employees in more than 130,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
