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MSA Recognizes Two Off-Duty Milwaukee Firefighters with its 2009 Fireslayer of the Year Award

Global safety equipment manufacturer MSA (NYSE: MSA) today announced that Joel and John Rechlitz of the Milwaukee Fire Department are the recipients of the 2010 Fireslayer of the Year Award. The firefighters were honored at a special ceremony held recently with friends and family in Milwaukee. The award recognizes not only the brothers’ heroic and lifesaving actions in the rescue of David “DJ” Harper from a burning SUV last summer, but also their continuing commitment to the Harper family.

MSA established the Fireslayer of the Year Award in 2000 to honor the outstanding achievements of individual firefighters and departments who serve as role models for others. Past winners include the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), the Chicago Fire Department, Nashville Fire Department, and individual firefighters from South Carolina, Florida, and Illinois.

On July 19, 2009 an SUV with a mother and her children aboard slammed into a tree, rolled over, and burst into flames. The mother and one child escaped, but four year old David “DJ” Harper’s seatbelt wouldn’t release. He was trapped in a gasoline-fueled inferno.

Kelly and Joy Rechlitz, wives of the 2010 honorees, were on their way to buy a birthday cake, when they saw the flaming SUV. Joy called her husband John and said, “Car on fire! People trapped! 22nd and Layton!”

By all estimates, the brothers arrived within two minutes. They raced to the burning auto and leapt into action. Good Samaritans, knowing that a child was trapped inside, had smashed the windshield with metal pipes. John widened the opening and shouted, “Get in!”

Without hesitation, Joel crawled in and found DJ. With his weight jamming the seatbelt release it was impossible to open. Joel realized the only way to free DJ was to cut the seatbelt. Both brothers usually carry knives, but neither had one that day. Joel exited the vehicle and ran to get a knife.

It’s not clear what happened next. An amateur video of the rescue shows John crawling into the vehicle. He tumbled out seconds later with DJ. Joel commandeered a garden hose and sprayed water on the three year old to cool him as John stripped him of smoldering clothing. The video was made by a neighbor who heard the crash and grabbed his camcorder.

Their heroism didn’t end with the rescue. The Harpers, originally from Tennessee had only been in Milwaukee for one day. All of their clothing, money, and personal care items were destroyed in the fire. Kelly and Joy Rechlitz visited them in the hospital the next day and decided immediately they had to help. The wives shopped for everything the Harpers would need to get through the next twenty four hours.

The Rechlitzes capitalized on the media attention their story and dramatic video attracted to help raise money for the Harpers. The people of Milwaukee responded with donations of food, clothing, and furniture. A local restaurant chain donated a percentage of sales totaling $40,000.

“They’re like brothers to me,” said DJ’s father Chris. “They were there then and they’re still here today.” Indeed they are. DJ calls the brothers Uncle Joel and Uncle John.

MSA Regional Manager Tom Vetras presented the Fireslayer of the Year Award to the Rechlitz brothers at the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Engine 14 on April 10, 2010. DJ and his father James “Chris” Harper were among a gathering of firefighters, friends, and family.

Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of safety products that protect people's health and safety. Many MSA products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems, and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, oil, gas and petrochemical industry, homeland security, construction, mining and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, ballistic body armor, fall protection devices, and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of approximately$1 billion, manufacturing operations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and more than 40 international locations. Additional information is available on the company’s Web site at www.msanet.com.