Fire & Safety Services Marks 60 Years of Excellence

June 4, 2024

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, is proud to announce authorized dealer for New Jersey, Fire & Safety Services, proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary this June 2024. The significant milestone is marked by community-focused initiatives, underscoring the company’s ongoing evolution and dedication to supporting members of the fire service.

Upcoming events and highlights include a Pierce fire apparatus 2024 Road Rally throughout the dealership’s region this summer. The first stop took place in southern New Jersey at Burlington Township Fire District No. 1, and featured Pierce pumpers, rescues, aerials and more. Future stops will be posted on Fire & Safety Services’ website and social media platforms in the upcoming weeks.

Fire & Safety Services was founded in 1964 by Walter Runyon and was driven by a customer-centric philosophy. At the time, the company provided customers with 24-hour services in addition to firefighting gear and equipment. The company began representing Pierce in 1977 for the northern half of New Jersey. In 1982, Bill Russell took over and subsequently agreed to expand its operations to the rest of the state in 1984. Bill Russell grew the business by focusing on the needs of the customer, offering best-in-class service and sales, and creating a culture of development for those who worked for Fire & Safety Services. These values have led to continued growth over the years to the nearly 70 employees today. Many employees at Fire & Safety Services have been with the company for 15 years or more, including one team member who has been with the company since its inception.

“As we reflect on six decades, our success is rooted in the trust of firefighters and the dedication of our incredible employees who always strive to do the right thing for our customers and their communities,” said David Russell, President of Fire & Safety Services. “We take pride in supporting our team, and I am especially proud during both the 2007 recession and COVID, we retained all employees. This commitment to our people, who we consider family, has been key to our success and ability to adapt and grow with market conditions and customer needs.”

An example of the company’s evolution includes the 2024 Road Rally; leading a new wave of customer engagement through micro-experiences across the state, moving away from traditional static apparatus shows to a more customer-centric interactive event.

Russell added, “The decision to conduct a 2024 Road Rally aligns with our mission to focus on our customers’ specific needs, ensuring we deliver the most relevant and effective solutions.”

Fire & Safety Services also strives to give back to the members of the fire service by being proud supporters of organizations like the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Burn Foundation, or through sponsoring educational programs.

“We are very proud of our 60 years,” says Russell, “as it is the foundation for our development for the years to come. As the emergency vehicle market continues to change, and we grow across our various segments – we will do whatever is needed to continue to meet those needs; whether through training, fleet enhancements or continued growth of our physical footprint as the situation requires.”

The company will continue to celebrate its milestone anniversary throughout the year, including a picnic in mid-June, welcoming both current and past employees. This event not only honors the company’s past but also looks forward to an exciting future.

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