Fire & Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) 6,800 fire officers will soon be wearing cutting-edge firefighting helmets with in-built radio technology and lighting that will provide greater protection and clearer communications at emergencies.

The new helmets provide firefighters with greater protection from the elements, as well as offering lighting and adjustable eye protection.

The tender, one of the largest of its type in the world, has been awarded to MSA Australia.

Fire & Rescue Commissioner Greg Mullins welcomed the announcement.

“An extensive process was undertaken to identify the best product on the market and we know that we’ve achieved a great result,” Commissioner Mullins said.

“Fire officers have to deal with life-threatening situations on a daily basis, and they deserve the best protection money can buy.

“The new ‘jet style’ helmets look quite different, and the level of protection they provide is a generation above the current style of helmet which we first adopted back in 1993,” he said.

“The in-built radio communications equipment means that it will be easier for officers to hear each other at emergency scenes and to communicate about complex firefighting and rescue operations. This can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.”

The roll-out of the new helmets will commence in March, with the majority of FRNSW’s 6800 fire officers to receive their new helmets by the end of June.