L.N. Curtis & Sons
L.N. Curtis & Sons is a family-owned distributor of firefighting PPE, equipment, and rescue tools serving municipal fire departments, U.S. federal agencies, and individual firefighters across 13 Western states from six service locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersOakland, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What L.N. Curtis & Sons does
L.N. Curtis & Sons is a family-owned, California-headquartered distributor of firefighting and emergency-response equipment, founded in 1929 and operating across the Western United States. The company runs a multi-brand catalog spanning wildland and structural PPE, helmets, boots, water-flow systems, SCBA, rescue tools, lighting, apparel, and uniforms from manufacturers including Globe, Bullard, MSA/Cairns, CMC, Task Force Tips, Danner, Mystery Ranch, WATERAX, CrewBoss, PGI, Workrite, FireCraft, INNOTEX, Hurst, and Coaxsher. Distribution is delivered through an e-commerce storefront, six physical service locations across 13 Western states, a federal/municipal Agency Account Program with special contract pricing, and shipping to all 50 states.
The underlying technical platform is a BigCommerce-based e-commerce site (lncurtis.com) layered with two proprietary software assets: Curtis EDGE, an online PPE asset-management system that tracks maintenance, inspection results, and pre-asset funding against NFPA 1850 record-keeping guidelines, and Curtis+, a membership program with annual recurring billing. The service backbone is an NFPA 1850-verified Independent Service Provider (ISP) network — third-party verified by Intertek ETL — employing 20+ factory-trained technicians who perform PPE cleaning, inspection, repair, alteration, SCBA service, and hydro testing across the six locations.
Curtis monetizes across four revenue streams: (1) one-time product sales via e-commerce and retail; (2) multi-year Agency Account contracts with municipal fire departments and U.S. federal agencies (U.S. Air Force, DoD, DoE, DoI, DoJ, DHS, DoS); (3) recurring Curtis+ membership fees; and (4) service and repair revenue from the technician network. Customer segments are fire departments, wildland firefighters, federal government agencies, and individual firefighters, served through both enterprise field sales and direct-to-consumer motions. The legal entity is L.N. Curtis & sons, Inc., a privately held California corporation with no disclosed institutional investors, no funding rounds, and no parent company.
L.N. Curtis & Sons firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- L.N. Curtis & Sons
- Legal name
- L.N. Curtis & sons, Inc.
- Website
- https://lncurtis.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- L.N. Curtis & Sons is a family-owned distributor of firefighting PPE, equipment, and rescue tools serving municipal fire departments, U.S. federal agencies, and individual firefighters across 13 Western states from six service locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
L.N. Curtis & Sons industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Firefighting and Rescue Equipment Distribution
- akta.pro primary industry
- PPE, Safety & Infection Control Supplies Distribution (JanSan-adjacent) (CRAOAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Industrial Workwear & PPE Laundry (HSAJAEAD), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Gloves, Masks/Respirators, Gowns, Face Shields) (HLAHANAF)
Keywords
Where L.N. Curtis & Sons is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
L.N. Curtis & Sons business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: One-time sales of firefighting equipment, PPE, tools, and supplies through e-commerce and retail storefronts. Products range from turnout gear and helmets to water flow equipment and breathing apparatus.
- Agency/Department Accounts: Special contract pricing programs for fire departments and government agencies, enabling bulk purchasing with negotiated rates.
- Curtis+ Membership: Membership program offering exclusive savings, rewards, special offers, and member-only benefits designed for fire and rescue professionals.
- Service & Repair: After-market care services including PPE cleaning, inspection, repairs, alterations, SCBA hydro testing, and equipment maintenance performed by factory-trained technicians.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing for individual consumers |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Agency/department contract pricing |
| Subscription | Annual | Curtis+ membership benefits |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
L.N. Curtis & Sons product offering
Product offeringCore offering
L.N. Curtis & Sons is a family-owned distributor and service provider of firefighting and rescue equipment, supplying personal protective equipment (PPE), turnout gear, helmets, boots, breathing apparatus, water flow systems, tools, and lights to fire departments, government agencies, and individual firefighters. The company also operates NFPA 1850-verified PPE cleaning, inspection, repair, and alteration services through six locations across the Western U.S., supported by the Curtis EDGE asset management system and a Curtis+ membership program.
Product overview
L.N. Curtis & Sons operates as a specialized firefighting equipment e-commerce platform offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for firefighters and emergency responders. The company provides three interconnected offerings: (1) a broad catalog of firefighting PPE, apparel, footwear, helmets, water flow equipment, breathing apparatus, tools, lights, and specialty equipment from multiple branded manufacturers; (2) value-added services including PPE care and maintenance (NFPA 1850 verified ISP), the Curtis+ membership program, Curtis EDGE PPE asset management software, agency account pricing, and repair services; and (3) a deals section for discounted gear. The platform serves individual firefighters and fire departments across 13 Western states, with shipping to all 50 states and government agencies including the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Department of Homeland Security.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Curtis+: Membership program offering exclusive savings, rewards, special offers, and member-only benefits for fire and rescue professionals
Products and services
- Wildland Firefighting Gear
Quantifiable outcome
- NFPA 1850 compliance verification for PPE maintenance
Companies that use L.N. Curtis & Sons
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
L.N. Curtis & Sons technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
L.N. Curtis & Sons partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- GlobecoreLeading firefighting PPE and footwear manufacturer; Curtis carries Globe turnout gear, boots, and apparel products
- BullardcoreFire service equipment manufacturer specializing in helmets, eye protection, and wildland gear; featured brand partner
- MSA (Mine Safety Appliances)coreMajor SCBA and breathing apparatus manufacturer; featured brand with MSA + Curtis partnership; NFPA 1970 2025 certified MSA G1 SCBA XR Edition available
- CairnscoreFire helmet manufacturer producing traditional and modern helmets; Curtis carries MSA Cairns branded helmets
- CMCcoreRescue and rope access equipment manufacturer; Curtis carries CMC rescue gear, litters, and patient packaging equipment
- Task Force Tips (TFT)coreWater flow equipment manufacturer producing nozzles, monitors, and valves; featured brand partner with exclusive offerings
- DannercoreFirefighter boot manufacturer producing structural, wildland, and station boots; featured brand partner
- Mystery RanchcorePremium pack and bag manufacturer; Curtis carries wildland packs, web gear, and specialty bags for firefighters
- WATERAXcorePortable fire pump manufacturer; Curtis carries WATERAX pumps including MINI-STRIKER, MARK-3, and MINI-MARK models
- CrewBosscoreWildland PPE manufacturer; Curtis carries CrewBoss wildland clothing, jumpsuits, and protective wear
- PGI (Performance Advantage Company)coreFirefighter apparel and wildland PPE; Curtis carries PGI Fireline products including shirts, jackets, and chainsaw chaps
- WorkritecoreFlame-resistant workwear manufacturer; Curtis carries Workrite base layers and station wear
- FireCraftcoreFirefighter glove manufacturer; Curtis carries FireCraft Redline gloves as featured product
- INNOTEXcoreMulti-function and technical rescue PPE manufacturer; Curtis carries INNOTEX Energy Prime and Tech Rescue product lines
- Hurst Jaws of LifecoreRescue tools manufacturer; Curtis carries Hurst hydraulic rescue equipment for vehicle extrication and rescue operations
- CoaxshercoreWildland apparel and web gear manufacturer; Curtis carries Coaxsher pants, shirts, and radio harness equipment
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
L.N. Curtis & Sons competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TheFireStore: Direct e-commerce competitor selling firefighter turnout gear, boots, helmets, and rescue equipment to individuals and departments—overlaps Curtis's D2C channel and product catalog but without Curtis's Western U.S. service-center footprint.
- Municipal Emergency Services (MES): Direct competitor distributing firefighting PPE, equipment, and apparatus to municipal and federal fire/EMS agencies nationwide with agency contract programs and service capabilities similar to Curtis.
- Witmer Public Safety Group: Direct competitor distributing firefighting PPE, gear, boots, and equipment with multi-brand catalog, agency accounts, and service offerings that mirror Curtis's model across the Eastern U.S.
Broad incumbents
- Galls: Larger, public-safety-focused distributor offering uniforms, PPE, and equipment to law enforcement, fire, and EMS; broader portfolio than Curtis and overlaps heavily on firefighter apparel and boots.
- Grainger: Mass-market industrial MRO distributor with overlap into facility safety, PPE, and select fire/rescue gear; comparable in distribution scale and channel breadth but lacks Curtis's fire-service specialization.
- Bullard: Manufacturer of thermal imagers, helmets, and wildland PPE; comparable as a fire service category leader but operates upstream as a brand partner rather than a distribution peer.
- 5.11 Tactical: Broader public-safety and tactical apparel/gear brand serving law enforcement, military, and firefighters; overlaps on station wear, job shirts, and tactical pants but is primarily a manufacturer rather than a multi-brand fire service distributor.
- MSA Safety: Manufacturer of SCBA, helmets, and firefighter PPE that Curtis distributes (MSA G1, Cairns); comparable as a fire service authority but as the brand owner, not a peer distributor—illustrates both the partnership and disintermediation risk.
Others
- Task Force Tips (TFT): Manufacturer of nozzles, monitors, and water-flow equipment that Curtis distributes; not a distributor peer but a brand partner whose strategic decisions (direct sales, dealer consolidation) directly affect Curtis's economics.
Regional players
- NAFFCO International: Middle East-headquartered firefighting equipment manufacturer and distributor with a comparable fire service product portfolio; comparable in category but operates primarily outside the U.S. market where Curtis is anchored.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
L.N. Curtis & Sons social profiles
Digital presenceL.N. Curtis & Sons compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
L.N. Curtis & Sons financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
L.N. Curtis & Sons leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
L.N. Curtis & Sons funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
L.N. Curtis & Sons M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about L.N. Curtis & Sons
What does L.N. Curtis & Sons do?
L.N. Curtis & Sons is a family-owned distributor and service provider of firefighting and rescue equipment, supplying personal protective equipment (PPE), turnout gear, helmets, boots, breathing apparatus, water flow systems, tools, and lights to fire departments, government agencies, and individual firefighters. The company also operates NFPA 1850-verified PPE cleaning, inspection, repair, and alteration services through six locations across the Western U.S., supported by the Curtis EDGE asset management system and a Curtis+ membership program.
Is L.N. Curtis & Sons a public or private company?
L.N. Curtis & Sons is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was L.N. Curtis & Sons founded?
L.N. Curtis & Sons was founded in 1929. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is L.N. Curtis & Sons based?
L.N. Curtis & Sons is headquartered in Oakland, United States, in the North America region.
How does L.N. Curtis & Sons make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are agency/Department Accounts, curtis+ Membership and service & Repair.
Who are L.N. Curtis & Sons's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TheFireStore, Municipal Emergency Services (MES) and Witmer Public Safety Group. Broad incumbents are Galls, Grainger, Bullard, 5.11 Tactical and MSA Safety. Task Force Tips (TFT) is listed as an others. NAFFCO International is listed as a regional player.
Does L.N. Curtis & Sons have an API?
No public API is recorded for L.N. Curtis & Sons.
What industry is L.N. Curtis & Sons in?
L.N. Curtis & Sons's product category is Firefighting and Rescue Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAGAK, PPE, Safety & Infection Control Supplies Distribution (JanSan-adjacent), with a secondary code of HSAJAEAD, Industrial Workwear & PPE Laundry.