The firefighting helmets will give the state’s 6800 firefighters greater protection and clearer communications at emergencies.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres said the new helmets would enable firefighters to clearly communicate with each other while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus.

“The NSW Government has committed more than $7 million to this project, which will see our firefighters equipped with the most modern, safest, high-tech helmets in the world,” he said.

“The new helmets will also provide firefighters with greater protection from heat and falling debris.

“In addition to the integrated communications system, the helmet includes other innovative features such as lighting and adjustable eye protection.

“The NSW Government is committed to ensuring that our firefighters have the best equipment available to them.”

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

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

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

“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.

“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 rollout of the new helmets will start in March, with the majority of FRNSW’s 6800 fire officers to receive their new helmets by the end of June.