Volunteer fire departments often struggle to find the funding they need to purchase new gear for their firefighters. To help meet this need and increase responder safety, MSA Safety, DuPont Personal Protection, and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) annually partner to award volunteer departments with new turnout gear and helmets through MSA and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway.

This year, 13 departments each received four sets of Globe turnout gear and four MSA Cairns® helmets, and the first 500 applicants also received a complimentary NVFC membership, courtesy of MSA.

Awards were made to the following departments in October, November, and December:

• East Glacier Park Volunteer Fire Department, bordering Glacier National Park in Montana, consists of 20 volunteers who are responsible for 1,500 square miles on the Blackfeet Nation. Within its vast response area, the department has responded to wildfires, highway accidents, and medical emergencies in remote areas. Members face the challenge of a lack of funding for new gear. Its volunteer firefighters have been training and responding to emergencies with ill-fitted and outdated gear. This has jeopardized the safety of members, prolonged response times, and diminished overall effectiveness during emergencies. With the donated gear, members will be better equipped to handle a wide range of emergency situations, enhancing both their safety and performance on the front lines.
• Samburg-Reelfoot Volunteer Fire Department, located in rural western Tennessee, is run by 10 active volunteers who serve a population of 10,000. Funding for the department comes from a single fundraising event every spring, making it difficult to cover operational expenses let alone new gear. With an inadequate amount of gear, members have had to share helmets, boots, and gloves. The gear that they do have is at least 10 years old and in extremely poor condition. The donated gear will go a long way in improving volunteer safety, mobility, and effectiveness.
• East Galesburg Volunteer Fire Department, located in western Illinois, is fully volunteer and dedicated to serving a small, close-knit community. The department provides a range of emergency services, including fire response, medical aid, motor vehicle accident assistance, and hazardous material rescues. With a population under 1,000, many of whom are elderly residents on fixed incomes, the community faces challenges in securing sufficient funding for essential firefighting and emergency response equipment. Due to limited financial resources, the department relies heavily on donations and fundraising efforts. This vital gear will also support volunteer retention efforts, as much of the current equipment is overdue for replacement.
• Terre Du Lac Fire Department serves a private lake community in Missouri, featuring 16 recreational lakes and a year-round population of 2,400. However, during the summer that population swells to about 10,000. The department operates on limited funding, primarily sourced from homeowners’ association dues. The Terre Du Lac Fire Department provides EMS services and mutual aid to 24 neighboring fire departments. Given the area’s numerous lakes, they also aim to strengthen their water rescue capabilities. Finding funding for necessities such as turnout gear has been difficult. The new gear will enable the department to offer new training classes and enhance the safety and effectiveness of their operations, ultimately benefiting the whole community.
• Tanner Volunteer Fire Department in northern Alabama is dedicated to serving a close-knit community of approximately 5,500 residents in southern Limestone County. With a mission to provide exceptional fire, rescue, and EMS services, the department’s 14 volunteers also extend mutual aid to neighboring communities when needed. Currently, the department has a pressing need to upgrade a critical radio system, which leaves no funds to purchase outdated turnout gear. The new gear received through this program will be vital in replacing turnout gear that are over a decade old, enhancing firefighters’ safety and readiness on the job.
• Hessmer Volunteer Fire Department serves 30-square-miles in central Louisiana, covering residential areas and active train tracks both within and beyond city limits, and serves a population of 3,700 people. Despite recent progress, including improving its fire rating, the department faces financial difficulties and relies heavily on grants to secure the resources needed to maintain safety and continue protecting its community. With 20 active firefighters and only 15 sets of gear – all more than 10 years old and thus out of compliance with NFPA standards – the department faces a critical need for donated equipment to enhance training and ensure community safety.
• Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Department, located in southwestern Pennsylvania, serves a rural area home to 2,608 residents. Staffed by 17 firefighters and 5 junior firefighters, their jurisdiction includes 14 miles of interstate and over 5,000 acres of forest. Given its rural location, the department’s volunteers are tasked with helping in a variety of medical emergencies to stabilize patients before the arrival of the ambulance. Four of the departments’ firefighters lack assigned gear, forcing them to share for calls and training. Another eight volunteers rely on outdated, non-compliant gear. With only five compliant sets available, participation in state training and certification exams is significantly limited. This gear donation will help improve the department’s emergency response, expand training opportunities, and enhance firefighter safety.

Learn more about the program at MSA’s and DuPont’s Globe Gear Giveaway and stay tuned for announcements about the 2025 program.