MSA Safety and Bristol Uniforms Unveil Next-Gen Firefighting Gear at 2026 ESS — MSA Safety Incorporated

Event summary

MSA Safety and Bristol Uniforms showcased new firefighting solutions at the 2026 Emergency Services Show in Birmingham, including the Bristol X1 Fire Protective Suit and the GALLET F1 Fire Helmet.
Bristol's Fully Managed Services (FMS) offers comprehensive care, maintenance, and management of fire protective clothing and PPE across three UK service centers.
The MSA Connected Firefighter Platform, centered around the M1 SCBA, enhances firefighter accountability and situational awareness through real-time data and cloud-based connectivity.
MSA Safety reported 2025 revenues of $1.9 billion, with over 5,300 employees across 40 international locations.

The big picture

MSA Safety and Bristol Uniforms are addressing the evolving challenges of modern firefighting with integrated head-to-toe safety solutions. The focus on connected technologies and managed services reflects a broader industry trend toward leveraging data and automation to enhance firefighter safety and operational readiness. With 2025 revenues of $1.9 billion, MSA Safety is well-positioned to lead in this space, but competition and regulatory dynamics will shape the long-term success of these innovations.

What we're watching

Adoption Pace: How quickly fire brigades in the UK and beyond will integrate the new Bristol X1 suit and GALLET F1 helmet into their operations.
Technology Integration: Whether the MSA Connected Firefighter Platform can drive significant improvements in firefighter safety and operational efficiency.
Market Expansion: The pace at which MSA Safety and Bristol Uniforms can expand their managed services and connected technologies into other global markets.