MSA Honors FDNY with the Fireslayer of the Year Award; Announces National Recognition Program to Honor Firefighters
PITTSBURGH, April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Every 17 seconds a fire department responds to a fire or tragedy.* On September 11, an entire department of firefighters responded to one of the most horrific tragedies in history, displaying bravery to protect and save the lives of others. For their selfless dedication to the city of New York, MSA (Amex: MSA) today honored FDNY with the company's Fireslayer of the Year (FOTY) award.
In a ceremony at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC), held this week in Indianapolis, Ind., MSA presented FDNY representative, Captain Joe Downey with the FOTY award. Captain Downey is the son of the late Chief Deputy Ray Downey, who perished September 11 at the World Trade Center.
During the ceremony, MSA presented Captain Downey with a turn-of-the- century bronzed CairnsHelmet(R) Fire Helmet.
"The firefighters of FDNY embody the characteristics of true heroes -- selfless dedication, bravery and passion for saving lives," said Ronald Herring, director of marketing for MSA. "MSA is pleased and proud to honor FDNY for the supreme sacrifices they made in 2001."
MSA created the FOTY program in 2000 to recognize firefighters who display selfless dedication in the line of duty. This year, MSA is honoring all of FDNY for serving and protecting the city of New York.
"We are deeply appreciative of the overwhelming support that we have received from our local New York community and throughout the nation," Captain Joe Downey said. "We're very proud to accept this award on behalf of our entire department."
In conjunction with the award presentation, MSA announced it was expanding the FOTY program to accept nominations on a national level and inviting industry experts to be part of the committee to select the 2002-2003 FOTY recipients.
"MSA's goal is to recognize firefighters whose actions serve as models in the fire service for dedication and bravery," said Herring. "The Fireslayer of the Year program is representative of MSA's long-standing association as a leader and pioneer in the fire service sector. We are excited to have the chance to represent the industry by working together with fire departments across the country to expand the FOTY award into the premier recognition program for honoring firefighting excellence."
* Source: United States Fire Administration
About MSA
Established in 1914, MSA is the world's leading provider of quality products and services that protect people's health and safety and the environment. For more than 50 years, MSA has designed and manufactured cutting-edge, high-technology products for the fire service industry, including thermal imaging cameras, portable gas detection instruments, self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the best-selling CairnsHelmets(R) Fire Helmet brand of head protection. The fire service represents MSA's largest market. The company has annual sales of about $500 million, with manufacturing operations throughout the United States and 27 international affiliates.
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