Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists

What Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists does

Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc. is a family-owned Texas-based dealer and distributor serving municipal fire departments and Emergency Service Districts (ESDs) with fire apparatus, loose firefighting equipment, and a suite of value-added services. Founded in 1986 by Craig N. Russell as a service company and incorporated in 1999, the company operates from four Texas locations (Houston headquarters, Mansfield, San Marcos, South Houston) with over 100 employees and a Territory Manager field-sales organization covering the entire state. It is an authorized dealer for Spartan Emergency Response, SVI Trucks, and Fouts Fire apparatus and represents more than 50 fire equipment manufacturers, distributing hoses, nozzles, SCBA, PPE, tools, rescue equipment, and waterflow products.

The company's technical offering extends well beyond distribution. Its Make Ready division performs custom equipment mounting, storage optimization, radio and intercom installation, lighting upgrades, and operational testing, backed by a 20+-technician in-house fabrication team and an in-house graphics department using 3M Certified materials with Eco-Solvent Ink printing. It holds 3M Scott 5-Star Service Center certification for SCBA repair and respiratory services, maintains ASE and FDSOA-certified apparatus service technicians, and operates dedicated factory personnel at Spartan manufacturing sites in Sioux Falls, SD and Snyder, NE for quality control. The company also runs an e-commerce storefront at store.mfas.com and a Digital Make Ready Catalog launched in July 2025.

Metro Fire makes money through a mix of one-time capital sales (apparatus at the $500K-$1M+ unit level, loose equipment, parts) and recurring or service-based revenue streams (apparatus maintenance and repair, breathing air managed services, Make Ready professional services). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; orders are placed via Territory Managers, inside sales, or cooperative purchasing contracts (BuyBoard, HGAC, Sourcewell). Its customer base is almost entirely Texas municipal fire departments and ESDs, served through long-tenured relationships, factory-direct dealer agreements, and cooperative procurement channels.

Name

Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists

Legal name

Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, Inc.

Website

https://mfas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists is a family-owned Texas dealer and distributor selling fire apparatus, equipment, and related services to municipal fire departments and ESDs statewide through four locations and a Territory Manager field-sales force.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Apparatus Distribution and Services

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Life Safety Services (Inspection/Testing/Sprinklers/Alarms) (IMAIAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB), Fire Protection Systems Contracting (Sprinklers, Alarms, Suppression) (IMAFALAD)

Keywords

• Fire apparatus sales
• Firefighting equipment distribution
• Apparatus maintenance services
• Emergency response equipment
• Fire truck customization

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fire Apparatus Sales: Sales of new fire apparatus including engines, tankers, aerials, rescue vehicles, and chief vehicles. Acts as dealer for Spartan Emergency Response, SVI Trucks, and Fouts Fire manufacturers. Includes apparatus specification consulting and factory presence during manufacturing.
2. Loose Equipment Distribution: Distribution of firefighting equipment including hoses, nozzles, SCBA, PPE, tools, rescue equipment, and waterflow products. Represents over 50+ trusted manufacturers of fire equipment in the United States.
3. Apparatus Parts: Supply and sale of fire truck parts with growing inventory critical to minimizing customer downtime. Stocks parts from trusted brands for fire truck reliability.
4. Apparatus Services: Service and maintenance for fire apparatus including comprehensive inspection programs, warranty work, and heavy-duty repairs. Full-service repair centers equipped for any job size.
5. Breathing Air Services: 3M Scott 5-Star Service Center for SCBA repair and servicing, plus respiratory service program following NFPA 1852 and NFPA 1500 guidelines. Includes air compressor sales and service for breathing air systems.
6. Make Ready Services: Custom outfitting of new fire apparatus including equipment mounting, storage optimization, radio/intercom installation, lighting upgrades, custom cabinetry, and rescue tool setup. Includes walk-around day with customers and 2-year workmanship warranty.
7. E-commerce Store: Online retail platform at store.mfas.com for equipment purchases, accessories, and parts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists sells new fire apparatus (engines, tankers, aerials, rescues, brush trucks, quick attack units, chief vehicles) as an authorized dealer for Spartan Emergency Response, SVI Trucks, and Fouts Fire, and distributes loose firefighting equipment from over 50 manufacturers. The company complements these product sales with integrated services including Make Ready custom outfitting, in-house metal Fabrication, in-house vehicle Graphics, Apparatus Services repair, 3M Scott 5-Star certified Breathing Air Services, and Apparatus Parts supply to Texas fire departments.

Product overview

Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists is a family-owned fire apparatus dealer and distributor operating across Texas, offering a comprehensive portfolio of fire apparatus, equipment, and value-added services. The core offering centers on fire apparatus sales (engines, tankers, aerials, rescues, brush trucks, chief vehicles) from manufacturers including Spartan ER, Fouts Fire, and SVI Trucks, complemented by loose firefighting equipment from over 50 manufacturers. The company differentiates through integrated services including Make Ready (custom apparatus outfitting with equipment mounting and storage optimization), Fabrication (custom metal brackets and compartments), Graphics (in-house vehicle graphics), Breathing Air Services (3M Scott service center), and full apparatus maintenance and parts supply. Featured products include Key Hose Pro-Flow supply hose, Super Vac PPV fans, Scott X3 Pro SCBA systems, Bullard thermal imagers, Task Force Tips valves and nozzles, Paratech stabilization equipment, and Fire-Dex turnout gear including the Aero Flex line with breathable technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fire Apparatus Sales of new fire apparatus including engines, tankers, aerials, rescues, brush trucks, quick attack units, and chief vehicles. Metro Fire is an authorized dealer for Spartan Emergency Response, Fouts Fire, and SVI Trucks and provides specification consulting, factory presence during manufacturing, and customer walkarounds before delivery. Target customers are Texas municipal fire departments and Emergency Service Districts.
• Fire Equipment Distribution Distributor of loose firefighting equipment including hoses, nozzles, SCBA, PPE, turnout gear, helmets, boots, rescue equipment, waterflow products, tools, and accessories from over 50 trusted manufacturers. Serves Texas fire departments seeking single-source equipment procurement.
• Make Ready Services Custom outfitting of new fire apparatus including equipment mounting, storage optimization, radio/intercom installation, lighting upgrades, custom cabinetry, and rescue tool setup. Includes walk-around day with customers and a 2-year workmanship warranty. Ensures trucks arrive service-ready from day one for Texas fire departments.
• Fabrication Services Custom metal fabrication for fire apparatus including custom brackets, mounts, compartments, and enclosures tailored to customer specifications. Fabricators with real-world fire service experience create high-quality, durable products for extreme duty environments.
• Graphics Services In-house custom vehicle graphics design and application for fire apparatus branding and safety markings using 3M Certified materials, Eco-Solvent Ink printing, and lamination for UV protection. Includes NFPA-compliant safety designs and internal compartment striping with a 5-year warranty.
• Breathing Air Services 3M Scott 5-Star Service Center providing SCBA sales, repair, maintenance, and certification following NFPA 1852 and NFPA 1500 guidelines. Includes air compressor sales and service for breathing air systems, with factory-certified technicians for Scott SCBA and Arctic Compressors. Also sells and services the Scott XD-Wire Frame SCBA.
• Apparatus Services Full-service apparatus repair and maintenance with heavy-duty repair capabilities covering all fire apparatus makes and models. Includes comprehensive inspection programs, warranty work, and ASE and FDSOA-certified technicians to minimize customer downtime.
• Apparatus Parts Supply and sale of fire truck parts from trusted brands including Allison, Cummins, Detroit, Bendix, Hale, Waterous, and others. Parts inventory is a growing focus critical to minimizing customer downtime for Texas fire departments.
• Key Hose 5" Pro-Flow Lightweight, heat-resistant large diameter supply hose with nitrile/PVC through-the-weave design for superior flow during fireground operations. Distributed by Metro Fire as part of its loose equipment portfolio.
• Super Vac 18" PPV Fan Positive pressure ventilation fan compatible with Milwaukee REDLITHIUM 18V batteries, featuring compact roll-cage frame, 180-degree tilt, and up to 53 minutes runtime. Distributed by Metro Fire for fire ventilation operations.
• Metro Air Bag Kit Complete rescue air lifting bag kit including KPI-12, KPI-22, KPI-32 bags with Maxiforce preset G3 regulator, deadman controller, and relief valves. Distributed by Metro Fire for technical rescue applications.
• Snap-tite Warrior Hose High-temperature attack hose engineered to withstand 60 minutes at 1200°F with excellent kink resistance and water flow performance. Distributed by Metro Fire for fire attack operations.
• Airpower XR1 Pro Tri-certified structural boots for EMS, technical rescue, and wildland firefighting with CROSSTECH waterproof lining, composite toe, and climate system. Distributed by Metro Fire from HAIX, a German professional footwear manufacturer.
• Bullard QXT Pro Advanced thermal imaging camera with 640x480 pixel resolution, 60Hz refresh rate, X-Factor 2.0 image enhancement, and up to 6.5 hours continuous runtime. Distributed by Metro Fire from Bullard for fireground scene assessment.
• Scott X3 Pro and C5 Vision SCBA Self-contained breathing apparatus featuring snap-change cylinder connection, buddy lights, integrated drag rescue loop, and electronic PAR communication with C5 facepiece. Distributed by Metro Fire from 3M Scott Fire & Safety.
• CrewProtect 100 100 CFM air decontamination system for medium and large apparatus cabs, reducing VOCs, particulates, and aerosols with automatic 24VDC operation. Distributed by Metro Fire for firefighter health and safety.
• Paratech Supporter X2 All-in-one vehicle stabilizer with threaded strut extending to 65.4 inches, 10,000 lb load capacity at 2:1 safety factor, and integrated ratchet belt. Distributed by Metro Fire from Paratech for technical rescue operations.
• TFT Ball Intake Valve Compact ball intake valve with adjustable pressure relief, stainless steel construction, less than 5 psi loss at 1250 GPM flow, and 5-year corrosion warranty. Distributed by Metro Fire from Task Force Tips for waterflow operations.
• CrewProtect 50 50 CFM compact air decontamination system for small to medium vehicle cabs, suitable for tiller cabs, wildland vehicles, and ambulances. Distributed by Metro Fire for firefighter health and safety.
• StationProtect 750 CFM fire station air filtration unit for gear rooms and living spaces up to 2500 sq ft, removing particulates, VOCs, molds, and smoke with H13 HEPA filter. Distributed by Metro Fire for station health and safety.
• Fire-Dex Aero Flex Turnout Gear Turnout gear with VaporLite breathable panels and AeroVent technology for enhanced cooling, reducing heat stress and cardiac-related risks for firefighters. Distributed by Metro Fire from Fire-Dex.
• Bullard Super Light Weight Traditional Helmet Fiberglass composite shell helmet weighing 3.4 lbs with U-Fit headband system offering 36 adjustment settings, meeting NFPA 1971 standards. Distributed by Metro Fire from Bullard for structural firefighting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2-year Make Ready warranty covering workmanship and material failures
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers43 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Spartan Emergency ResponsecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMetro Fire is an authorized dealer for Spartan Emergency Response fire apparatus. The company employs dedicated personnel at the Spartan factory in Sioux Falls, SD and the aerial plant in Snyder, NE to oversee quality control, conduct inspections, monitor performance, and assist with final customer walkarounds before units ship.
• SVI TruckscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for SVI Trucks apparatus manufacturer. SVI specializes in custom fire apparatus solutions.
• Fouts FirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMetro Fire is the sole authorized dealer and distributor for Fouts Fire in the State of Texas. Awarded 2024 Dealer of the Year. Serves fire departments across Texas with Fouts Fire apparatus.
• 3M Scott Fire & SafetycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor3M Scott 5-Star Service Center providing SCBA sales, service, and maintenance. Metro Fire technicians are factory-certified for Scott SCBA and Arctic Compressors. Also sells and services the new Scott XD-Wire Frame SCBA.
• Arctic CompressorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Arctic Compressor breathing air systems for fire, safety, and industrial applications. Second-generation family-owned manufacturer of high-quality air compressors.
• BuyBoardcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative purchasing program enabling Metro Fire to sell products through BuyBoard contracts, reducing administrative burden for departments and ensuring competitive pricing.
• HGAC (Houston-Galveston Area Council)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative purchasing program through HGAC. Metro Fire maintains multiple contracts for fire apparatus and equipment sales through HGACBuy.
• SourcewellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational cooperative purchasing program. Metro Fire provides fire apparatus and equipment through Sourcewell contracts.
• BullardmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for Bullard PPE including helmets, thermal imagers, and safety equipment. Bullard is a fifth-generation family-owned manufacturer of protective equipment.
• Fire-DexmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Fire-Dex turnout gear, boots, hoods, gloves, and helmets. Fire-Dex is a family-owned global manufacturer of PPE for first responders headquartered in Medina, Ohio.
• Key HosemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Key Hose Pro-Flow large diameter supply hoses. Key Hose manufactures through-the-weave nitrile/PVC rubber hoses meeting NFPA 1961 standards.
• Task Force Tips (TFT)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Task Force Tips firefighting tools including nozzles, valves, monitors, and air filtration systems. Part of Madison Industries family of companies.
• ParatechmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Paratech technical rescue and vehicle stabilization equipment including the Supporter X2. Paratech manufactures in Frankfort, Illinois.
• Command LightmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Command Light scene lighting equipment including light towers and traffic flow boards. Manufactured in Colorado with industry-leading 5-year warranty.
• Super VacmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Super Vac PPV fans and ventilation equipment. Super Vac is known for quality battery-operated and electric-powered ventilation fans.
• Snap-Tite HosemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Snap-Tite fire hoses including the Warrior high-temperature attack hose rated to withstand 1200°F for 60 minutes.
• HAIXmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for HAIX Airpower XR1 Pro fire boots. HAIX is a German manufacturer of professional footwear with climate system and CROSSTECH technology.
• PelicanmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Pelican protective cases including SCBA FIRES cases for military and fire service applications.
• StreamlightmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Streamlight tactical flashlights and portable lighting used in firefighting applications.
• FoamProminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for FoamPro foam proportioning systems for firefighting foam application.
• Hannay ReelsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Hannay Reels hose reels used in fire apparatus applications.
• Harrington Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Harrington Inc. rescue and firefighting equipment.
• Leatherhead ToolsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Leatherhead Tools forcible entry and firefighting tools.
• CMC RescueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for CMC Rescue rope rescue and fall protection equipment including static ropes, webbing, and prusik cords.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Spartan Emergency Response: Spartan Emergency Response (a REV Group subsidiary) is Metro Fire's largest apparatus supplier and the source of its 1st Place Outstanding Dealer recognition. Comparable as both an industry incumbent and as the principal partnership counterparty whose continued franchise relationship is central to Metro Fire's economics.
• Rosenbauer America: Austrian-headquartered global fire apparatus manufacturer with U.S. operations. Comparable as a broad industry incumbent competing for the same municipal apparatus orders that drive Metro Fire's dealer revenue.
• Pierce Manufacturing: Largest U.S. fire apparatus manufacturer, subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), and a competitor of Spartan, Fouts, and SVI in Texas municipal bids. Comparable as a broad industry incumbent whose dealer network competes with Metro Fire's franchise territory.
• REV Group (REV Fire Group): Public manufacturer (NYSE: REVG) that owns multiple fire apparatus brands — E-ONE, KME, Ferrara, and REV Fire Group — and competes directly with Spartan, Fouts, and SVI Trucks. Comparable as an industry incumbent that controls apparatus production economics upstream of dealers like Metro Fire.

Direct peers

• W.S. Darley & Co. Long-established Illinois-based distributor and manufacturer serving fire and emergency services with apparatus, equipment, gear, and parts across the U.S. Comparable to Metro Fire as a broad-line fire equipment distributor and apparatus provider to municipal departments.
• Dinges Fire Company: Midwest-based distributor of firefighting equipment, gear, and apparatus-related products serving volunteer and municipal fire departments. Comparable to Metro Fire in the loose equipment and turnout gear distribution side of the business, though with less apparatus dealer focus.
• Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus: Full-service fire apparatus dealer based in Alabama that sells new and used fire apparatus, equipment, and service to municipal fire departments. Highly comparable business model to Metro Fire as a regional multi-state dealer with similar in-house service capabilities and equipment distribution breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MetroFireTX
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrofiretx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-fire-apparatus-specialists-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists