By FireRescue1 Staff
CHATILLON-sur-CHALARONNE, France — MSA Safety’s helmet-manufacturing facility in Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne is gearing up to welcome the world’s best cyclists for Stage 13 of the Tour de France, the annual two-week race spanning approximately 2,100 miles, mostly through France.
Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne – which MSA dubbed the “World Capital of Fire Helmets” – will serve as a stage town for the Tour while highlighting some of the area’s related manufacturing efforts, including the MSA Gallet fire helmet.
“The city’s history includes helping to protect first responders and industrial workers around the world, and we’re excited to welcome the Tour de France to Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne,” said Yohan Morel, marketing director for MSA International. “With MSA Safety’s head protection products made right here and used in 80 countries, the Tour de France is showing the world the city that’s fulfilling the MSA Safety mission of helping to keep people safe at work every day.”
According to MSA, cyclists and tour viewers coming to Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne will be greeted by a “larger-than-life MSA Gallet F1 helmet at the roundabout at the town’s entrance.”
Additionally, the company’s helmets are already playing a part in the Tour, with members who are on the tour’s emergency response using the MSA Gallet F2XR rescue helmets. MSA is also accompanying the French Federation of Fire Fighters in the Tour de France Caravan, with five vehicles decorated with limited-edition MSA Gallet helmets to mark the occasion.