MSA Cairns® Fire Helmets: History of Innovation

Eric Buzard and Ben Mauti talk about the long Cairns history and how the fire helmet product line has evolved at MSA.

Category:

Science & Technology

[Rossco343]

Thanks for the info fellas... I've wanted a leather lid for the longest time now; I've tried on a handful of them around the firehouse, but unfortunately even the largest size is a bit too small. I've come across one or two that were close to fitting, so that leads me to believe there's an answer out there for me somewhere. I wear a 7 5/8 ball cap, so my head is not freakishly large by any means... 'Handmade' means handmade right? Is there any way to get a leather that will fit my big dome?

[msasafety]

@Rossco343 Glad you're a fan! All of our leather helmets have ratchet headbands and are adjustable across a range of head sizes.  Our large leather helmets fit 7-5/8 to 8-3/8 hat sizes, so that should work for you. If you can make it to FDIC, stop by our booth and try one on!

[FirePVFC11]

ok thanks bc im getting ready to order another one i have a sam houston that needs alil repair work and repainted but i want a new yorker.... do you guys do any repairs on helmets

[msasafety]

@FirePVFC11 Great! Yes, we do repairs. Contact our fire service team at 1-877-672-3473, and they will take care of you. Thanks!

[FirePVFC11]

do all the leather helmets have the rachet strap now

[msasafety]

@FirePVFC11 Yes, they do.

[msasafety]

@ThatGuyE265 Thanks for the kind words! Unfortunately, we don't have information about helmets made before 2000, which is when we acquired Cairns. That said, NFPA 1851 does state that helmets should be retired 10 years from the manufacturing date, so please be sure that your helmet fits that age range. Let us know if you need anything else!

[ThatGuyE265]

5-stars all the way. I've got a quick question though. I used to have an 880 and a lot of guys around said the older 880's are extremly unsafe to wear, do you guys know why?

[9WhiteCamaro9]

Ok so here's my thing. I am thinking about getting a leather helmet in the very near future but some on the guys in my department that have bought either the N5A or N6A will get them in the mail and the paint is already chipping and what not and I don't know if it's due to MSA/Cairns or the seller themselves but if I'm gonna spend that much on a helmet, I don't want to be getting it and it looks like I've already worn it on some calls.

[e14212]

@msasafety Thank you.