FROM:    Cobb County Fire Department

                     Contact: Chief Randy Crider – (770) 528-8000

                

Cobb County Fire Department Invests in New Safety Equipment

More than 600 firefighters converting to state-of-the-art respiratory protective equipment

MARIETTA, Ga., November 5, 2019 – Acting Fire Chief Bill Johnson today announced the provision of new, enhanced protective equipment for Cobb County firefighters. Cobb County and MSA Safety Incorporated, based in Pittsburgh, Pa., released a $3.5 million joint contract to provide state-of-the-art respiratory equipment to the Cobb County Fire Department, which will replace the department’s ten year old equipment.

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep the residents of Cobb County safe, and this new respiratory protective equipment will provide a greater level of safety on the job," said Chief Johnson.  "This technology is a significant upgrade for our first responders, and I thank MSA for partnering with us to help keep our more than 700 men and women in the fire service safer."

The Cobb County Fire Department’s SCBA Selection Committee, led by Battalion Chief Josh Taylor, made the decision to upgrade to the new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) technology after conducting an extensive and comprehensive evaluation process that included both a technical review and field evaluation.

According to MSA, the G1 SCBA is the most technologically advanced, balanced and customizable breathing apparatus the company has ever developed.  It represents the culmination of a five-year $50 million R&D effort that factored in voice-of-customer feedback from thousands of firefighters around the world.

The all-new SCBA platform, which was introduced in 2014, includes several breakthrough features, such as the elimination of all electronic components from the facepiece, a “Central Power” feature that powers the entire unit from a single, rechargeable battery, darkness- and smoke-piercing “buddy lights” that provide visible indicators of critical air supply data from any angle, and improved voice amplification communications, all of which come standard on every unit.

In addition, the unit's unique ergonomic design, combined with an adjustable waist belt and wide shoulder straps, allows more SCBA weight to be carried on a firefighter's hips. Collectively, these features make the SCBA more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.

“We’re incredibly honored that the Cobb County Fire Department has entrusted MSA with the responsibility of protecting the men and women who keep the residents of Cobb County safe each day,” said Nish Vartanian, MSA President and CEO.  “It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.  Our commitment to the fire service – When you go in…We go in with you – is more than just words.  It’s what drives our associates and fuels our passion to continually raise the bar to protect firefighters with the best and most advanced technology available today,” Mr. Vartanian concluded.

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Other Contacts:

MSA Safety Incorporated (NYSE: MSA): Samantha D’Uva (412) 573-3535

Local Distributor Ten-8 Fire Equipment: Cindy Morgan (877) 989-7660