Safety: How LYB helps protect those who protect us

Safety isn’t just a priority — it’s a shared passion that unites the Monitor Township, Michigan, Fire Department, and LYB Bay City, Michigan. Their relationship goes far beyond financial support; it’s about creating an extra layer of protection for the people and equipment that keep firefighters safe.

Through the LYB Advancing Good program, the Bay City site provided a grant to fund critical medical equipment and enhance firefighter safety gear. But the connection doesn’t stop there. LYB plays a unique role in the very materials that protect firefighters on the front lines.

LYB Bay City is a leading producer of sheet molding compound (SMC) — a material reinforced with fiberglass and engineered for strength and durability. This compound is essential in manufacturing helmets, including those used in firefighting and industrial safety. By incorporating flame-retardant additives, LYB materials enable manufacturers to produce helmets that resist extreme heat, preventing them from melting during intense conditions.

This process begins in Bay City, where the SMC is produced and shipped to customers who mold it into helmets. These helmets are more than protective gear — they’re a lifeline for firefighters and workers in hazardous environments.

From funding lifesaving equipment to supplying advanced materials, LYB and the Monitor Township Fire Department share a commitment to safety. Together, they’re not just protecting lives — they’re building resilience, one helmet at a time.