BIRMINGHAM, UK -- From changing locations and new threats to complex rescue operations, firefighters rely on equipment to protect them while allowing them to fully focus on their task.

MSA Safety, Inc. and Bristol Uniforms, Ltd. at the Emergency Services Show (ESS) in Birmingham, their firefighting solutions from head to toe, designed to help keep firefighters safe, connected and operational.

At the ESS, MSA Safety and Bristol will demonstrate how their shared expertise in fire protection clothing, managed services, firefighter helmets, recirculation-independent respirators (SCBA) and connected technologies for firefighters support firefighters across the UK. Highlights include Bristol's Fully Managed Services (FMS) offer, as well as the UK premiere of the new Bristol X1TM fire safety suit and the new GALLET ® F1 fire helmet.

Bristol Fully Managed Services: Supporting operational readiness
The Bristol Fully Managed Services are designed to help fire departments focus on protecting their communities, and provide a comprehensive solution for the care, maintenance and management of fire protection clothing and personal protective equipment (PSA) for firefighters.

Bristol's FMS team operates from three service centres across the UK and offers pick-up, cleaning, decontamination, inspection, repair, replacement, and logistical and administrative assistance. A special helpdesk also supports the size determination for new recruits, personnel changes, equipment management and daily customer concerns.

RFID-based clothing tracking, advanced automated processing systems and rigorous testing procedures are supported by Bristol’s manufacturing expertise and in-house PPE maintenance operations. Together, these capabilities provide valuable insights that help drive product innovation and improve firefighter protection over the entire life of a garment.

Bristol X1 Fire Protection Suit: "Fit for Form"
First introduced at ESS at the ESS, the Bristol X1 fire protection suit presents a new approach to fit, comfort and inclusivity for firefighters.

The Bristol X1 protective suit features a proprietary "fit-for-form" design that offers more than 1,000 fit configurations to accommodate a variety of body types, genders, insert rolls and climatic conditions, including firefighting in buildings and in the field.
The main features include:

• A distinctive, adjustable V-neck jacket designed to improve mobility, comfort and protection during demanding firefighting operations;
• adjustable suspenders with multiple positioning options ensure a more individual fit and improved comfort when wearing a respirator (SCBA);
• and reinforced shoulders, elbows and knees ensure increased durability in heavily stressed areas.

The Bristol X1 suit was developed based on years of feedback from firefighters, data on the maintenance of the clothing and findings from the deployment and is intended to help firefighters focus on deployment rather than their equipment.

An icon makes her ESS debut
The new GALLET F1 Fire Helmet, the next stage of development, will also celebrate its British debut at the ESS, one of the world’s best-known firefighting helmet platforms.
The new F1 fire helmet was developed in collaboration with firefighters and is designed to meet the changing challenges of modern firefighting. It offers excellent thermal and impact protection with simultaneous comfort, good visibility and modularity.

The main features include:

• Improved impact and heat protection on the top, front, sides and back of the head;
• a newly revised face shield system, available in clear and gold-coated design that protects against radiant heat, flying debris and electrical hazards;
• extensive size options and an external adjustment system that can be adapted to a variety of head shapes, sizes and hairstyles;
• the optional integrated L360TM lighting module, which provides balanced deployment lighting and includes a rearward-facing tail light to improve firefighter visibility; and
• simplified cleaning, inspection and maintenance to promote the well-being of firefighters and the operational readiness of the equipment.

The modular platform also supports accessories such as the GALLET Com'One communication headset, which allows firefighters to configure the helmets according to their operational requirements.

Improving firefighter safety through connected technologies
Visitors to the ESS can also experience the MSA Connected Firefighter platform, the core of which ™is the MSA M1TM SCBA, designed to improve the traceability, situational awareness and decision-making of firefighters.
The platform includes:

• M1 SCBA with M1 control module: A fully integrated alternative to conventional pressure gauges and PASS devices with electronic pressure measurement, motion and manual emergency alarms, remote measurement, freefall detection and highly visible buddy lights.
• MSA HUBTM : A wireless gateway that aggregates SCBA data in real time, builds a communication network at the location, and enables cloud-based connectivity for remote monitoring and post-use analysis.
• MSA repeaters: Devices designed to expand radio communications in difficult environments such as high-rise buildings, basements, tunnels and underground infrastructures.

Together, these technologies help to provide important safety information to operations managers, improve visibility into firefighter status, and support more informed operational decisions.

"Firefighter safety is about more than just a single piece of equipment," said Jose Sanchez, senior vice president, EMEA Business, at MSA Safety. “It requires an integrated approach that combines the PPE worn by firefighters with the management and maintenance of this equipment. Together, MSA, Bristol and GALLET provide safety solutions from head to toe that help firefighters stay protected, connected and focused on serving their communities as we advance our mission to ensure their safety in the workplace."