MSA Launches the G1 City Edition SCBA, Built From Years of Firefighter Feedback

MSA Safety has introduced the G1 City Edition SCBA, the newest member of its G1 Platform. This new self contained breathing apparatus was shaped by direct feedback from firefighters across the country, and it adds new accountability features along with real upgrades to comfort, durability, and everyday usability. For departments already using G1 equipment, the City Edition offers a way to add these new capabilities without replacing gear that already works well for them.

Why SCBA Design Matters So Much

A self contained breathing apparatus is one of the most important pieces of equipment a firefighter wears. It supplies breathable air in environments filled with smoke, toxic gases, and extreme heat, conditions that would otherwise make it impossible to work inside a burning structure for more than a few seconds. Because firefighters depend on this equipment to survive, even small design changes can have a big effect on how well a crew performs and how safe they stay while doing it.

Weight, comfort, visibility, and communication all play a role in how effective an SCBA is in real conditions. A unit that is too heavy will tire a firefighter out faster, cutting into the amount of time they can spend searching a structure or fighting a fire. A unit with confusing displays or poor communication tools can slow down coordination between crew members at exactly the moment when clear, fast communication matters most. MSA designed the G1 City Edition with these real world pressures in mind, using feedback gathered from firefighters over several years of direct interviews and field testing.

What Makes the G1 City Edition New

The City Edition builds on the existing G1 Platform rather than replacing it. That matters because many fire departments have already invested in G1 XR Edition equipment, and full replacement of SCBA units is expensive and time consuming. Because the platform is built to be modular, City Edition features can be mixed and matched with existing G1 components. Departments do not need to choose between old and new. They can combine them based on budget, need, and timing.

Integrated LUNAR Beacon Technology

The most notable new feature is Integrated LUNAR Beacon Technology. This system allows LUNAR Connected Devices to locate a firefighter wearing a G1 City Edition SCBA during search and rescue operations. In practical terms, this means that if a firefighter becomes disoriented, trapped, or unable to communicate their location, incident command and fellow crew members have another tool to help find them quickly.

Search and rescue operations inside a burning building are some of the most dangerous tasks firefighters carry out. Smoke can reduce visibility to almost nothing, and heat can force crews to crawl along the floor rather than walk upright. In these conditions, losing track of a team member's exact location can cost critical time. A beacon system built directly into the SCBA gives departments a tracking option that does not rely on a separate device the firefighter has to remember to carry or activate. Because it is integrated into equipment they are already wearing, it becomes one less thing to think about during an already stressful call.

A Lighter, More Comfortable Design

Weight reduction is another major focus of the City Edition. MSA reports a weight reduction of up to half a pound, achieved in part through a new, lighter cylinder retention system. Half a pound might not sound like much on its own, but firefighters often wear their SCBA for extended periods, sometimes over an hour at a time, while carrying additional gear that can add up to 45 pounds or more in total. Every reduction in weight can help reduce fatigue, especially during long incidents or when a firefighter needs to move quickly through tight or difficult spaces.

Alongside the lighter cylinder system, the City Edition includes new soft goods, which refers to the straps, padding, and fabric components of the unit. These have been redesigned for what MSA describes as functional comfort, meaning comfort that is paired with better mobility rather than comfort that comes at the cost of movement. A harness that fits well and moves with the body can make a noticeable difference over the course of a shift, particularly for firefighters who wear the same unit for years and want it to fit consistently well call after call.

Better Situational Awareness Through Connected Technology

The G1 City Edition also improves situational awareness by connecting with the LUNAR search network, thermal imaging tools, and the FireGrid ecosystem. Modern firefighting increasingly relies on connected technology to give incident commanders a clearer picture of what is happening inside a structure in real time. Thermal imaging helps crews see through smoke to locate victims, hot spots, or hazards that would otherwise be invisible. FireGrid connectivity ties equipment data together so that command staff can track conditions and crew status across an entire incident rather than relying only on radio updates.

By building these connections directly into the SCBA platform, MSA is aiming to reduce the number of separate devices a firefighter has to manage while still giving them access to the same critical information. This kind of integration reflects a broader trend in fire service equipment, where individual tools are increasingly expected to work together as part of a larger connected system rather than operating in isolation.

Built for Daily Use, Not Just Emergencies

While search and rescue features tend to get the most attention, day to day usability is just as important for a piece of equipment that departments rely on constantly. The City Edition includes improved fit, cleaning, and maintenance features designed to hold up over years of regular use. Fire departments often run their equipment through frequent inspections, cleanings, and repairs, so a design that makes these routine tasks easier can save time and reduce wear over the life of the unit.

Consistent daily performance also matters because most fire departments respond to a much higher number of non fire emergencies, such as medical calls, than actual structure fires. SCBA units still need to be ready to perform at their best on the rare occasion when a major fire does occur, which means the equipment has to hold up reliably through routine handling, storage, and maintenance in between those calls.

Meeting Current Safety Standards

The G1 City Edition is compliant with NFPA 1970, which is the 2025 edition of the performance standard covering protective ensembles and SCBA equipment used by firefighters. NFPA standards are updated periodically to reflect new research, new materials, and lessons learned from real world incidents, so compliance with the most current edition is an important marker for departments evaluating new equipment.

The unit also carries approval under NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84 and NFPA 1981 (2018) for structural firefighting applications. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, certifies respiratory protection equipment to confirm it meets federal safety requirements. Having both NIOSH certification and NFPA compliance gives departments confidence that the equipment has been tested against established safety benchmarks rather than relying only on manufacturer claims.

What Firefighters Are Saying

Feedback from departments already familiar with the G1 platform points to a few features that stand out in daily use. Assistant Chief Anson Turley of the Cincinnati Fire Department highlighted the Bluetooth integration with radios, the low air alert system, the heads up display, and the single battery system that reduces the number of battery changes crews have to manage. Fewer battery types and fewer swaps can simplify logistics for a department, particularly one running a large number of units across multiple stations.

Mark Mabry, an Air Lab Technician with Cobb County Fire and Rescue Services, pointed to the communications system as the standout feature, noting that it allows firefighters to talk normally while still being heard clearly. Clear communication is critical during fire and rescue operations, where confusion or misheard instructions can lead to safety issues for the whole crew.

Other departments have reported that G1 equipment has extended their operational time inside structures, giving crews more time to search rooms, reach the source of a fire, and complete their tasks before needing to exit for air replacement. Longer operational time can translate directly into better outcomes for both firefighters and the people they are working to rescue.

A Platform Built to Adapt

One of the defining features of the G1 Platform, and something that carries over fully into the City Edition, is its configurability. Control modules and heads up displays can be set up to match a department's existing standard operating procedures rather than forcing departments to change how they operate around the equipment. Wiring and hose routing can also be adjusted based on a department's preferences or the specific demands of their region and call volume.

This flexibility matters because fire departments vary widely in size, budget, and operational focus. A large metropolitan department running high call volumes has different needs than a smaller rural department that responds to fewer but sometimes more spread out incidents. By allowing departments to configure the equipment around their own procedures instead of the other way around, MSA aims to make the G1 Platform useful across a wide range of department types and sizes.

Getting Started With the G1 City Edition

Departments interested in learning more about the G1 City Edition can request a personalized demo, during which an MSA safety expert walks through the full range of the SCBA's functions, including capabilities that go beyond basic air delivery. Departments can also connect with a local distributor or review full specifications and literature through MSA's product pages.

As fire departments continue to look for equipment that keeps pace with both safety standards and the practical demands of daily use, the G1 City Edition represents an update built directly from firsthand feedback rather than assumptions about what departments need. Whether a department chooses to adopt the City Edition on its own or combine it with existing G1 XR Edition components, the platform's underlying goal remains the same, giving firefighters equipment that supports them clearly and reliably in the moments that matter most.