Globe Gear Giveaway 2026 application period opens for volunteer fire departments

Globe Gear Giveaway application period now open

The 2026 application period is now open for MSA’s Globe Gear Giveaway, which will award new Globe turnout gear and MSA Cairns helmets to selected volunteer fire departments in the US and Canada.

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) said the annual programme enables eligible departments in need to apply for four sets of turnout jackets, pants and helmets.

The application period is open through noon ET on June 1.

Eligibility, awards and programme track record

The programme is in its 15th year and has provided 186 departments with 819 sets of turnouts and 364 helmets.

In 2026, 52 sets of gear will be awarded to 13 departments.

To be eligible, a department must be over 50% volunteer.

A department must serve a population of 25,000 or less.

A department must be located in the United States or Canada and be legally organised under state or province law.

The criteria states that Indian or tribal entities not organised under state or province law are eligible.

A department must have at least one active NVFC member.

To help departments meet the NVFC membership requirement, MSA will provide one year individual NVFC memberships to the first 500 applicants.

Applicants must also demonstrate a need for the gear.

NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch said: “Turnout gear is critical to the health, safety, and effectiveness of firefighters, yet there are many volunteer fire departments across the U.S. and Canada that struggle to find funding for the gear they need.

“For 15 years, this program has helped address that need and ensure more firefighters are properly equipped to serve their communities.

“We thank MSA Safety for this ongoing partnership and their commitment to supporting the volunteer fire service.”

Joann Serakowski, MSA Safety Vice President of United States and Canada Fire Business, said: “We’re proud to support firefighters who are dedicated to protecting their communities.

“Through our long-standing partnership with this program, we remain committed to helping keep firefighters safe by providing safety gear to those who need it most.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to help enhance the safety of those who serve on the front lines every day.”

John Denison, DuPont Personal Protection Market Leader, said: “Our partnership with the NVFC and MSA remains incredibly important to us, as both organizations share our passion for equipping front-line volunteers with cutting-edge gear, research-driven solutions, and ongoing education.

“DuPont proudly supports the Globe Gear Giveaway each year as part of our focused mission in the emergency response market – to develop innovative Nomex and Kevlar fibers designed to help protect firefighters who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.

“Through this program, we are able to turn that mission into action by delivering gear directly to the departments that need it most.”

The NVFC said full criteria and the application form are available at www.nvfc.org/gear.