Fire Department Service & Supply

What Fire Department Service & Supply does

Fire Department Service & Supply (FDSAS) is a family-owned distributor and service provider of firefighting equipment headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded on August 1, 1973 by volunteer firefighters Al Sutt and Jim Trautwein, the company serves government fire departments (volunteer and career) across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Its product portfolio spans personal protective equipment (MSA G1 SCBA, MSA Cairns helmets, GLOBE turnout gear, Shelby fire gloves, Globe Guard Hoods, GLOBE footwear), fire apparatus (KME custom pumpers, tankers, specialty vehicles), hoses and nozzles (Akron Brass, Elkhart Brass, HEN Nozzles), rescue equipment, foam products (BIO FOR, ChemGuard, Penetro-Wet), thermal imaging (HyperSight), lighting (Streamlight, Nightstick, FoxFury), body armor, decontamination equipment (Solo Rescue, L&R Ultrasonics), and hazardous spill cleanup (SaveSorb).

FDSAS operates a hybrid hardware-and-services business model. Revenue is generated through quote-based equipment sales, custom apparatus sales (e.g., KME K180 pumper with 245-day delivery), and recurring mobile professional services including SCBA flow testing, apparatus repair, preventive maintenance, and pump testing delivered via service trucks covering Eastern and Western Kentucky. Pricing is conducted via direct consultation with field sales representatives rather than public catalogs. The company employs MSA-certified technicians for warranty service and operates Advanced Fire Gear Repair, a wholly-owned subsidiary that is the only INTERTEK-certified NFPA 1851 fire gear repair center in the Louisville Metro/Kentuckiana region. Authorized partnerships include MSA Safety (service and warranty center), GLOBE (original Kentucky dealer since 1973), KME Fire Apparatus (Kentucky sales and service representative), and Cairns.

The go-to-market strategy relies on regional field sales representatives covering Kentucky and Southern Indiana territories, in-person equipment demonstrations and sizing sessions at fire departments, trade show presence (Fire House Expo, Kentucky Association of Fire Chiefs Conference, State Fire School), word-of-mouth referrals, and direct consultation channels. Customer segments include fire department leadership (apparatus procurement), fire department operations (PPE and equipment), and firefighter personnel (gear repair, training, decontamination). The company also produces the 'Faces at the Fire' video series as a firefighter community engagement initiative.

Name

Fire Department Service & Supply

Legal name

Fire Department Service & Supply

Website

https://fdsas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned distributor and mobile service provider of firefighting PPE, SCBA, custom KME apparatus, and NFPA-certified gear repair to government fire departments across Kentucky and Southern Indiana, operating since 1973 as an authorized MSA, GLOBE, and KME dealer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Firefighting Equipment Distribution & Service

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire Extinguisher Services (Inspection/Recharge/Hydrostatic Testing) (IMAIAJAD), Fire Extinguishers & Suppression Equipment Services (Inspection/Recharge/Hydrotest) (BPABAHAC)

Keywords

• Firefighting equipment supply
• Fire apparatus sales
• Mobile fire service
• Turnout gear repair
• SCBA service testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Firefighting Equipment Sales: Sale of comprehensive firefighting equipment including SCBA, turnout gear, helmets, gloves, hoods, footwear, hoses, nozzles, appliances, and rescue equipment to fire departments.
2. Fire Apparatus Sales: Sale of custom and standard KME fire apparatus including pumpers, tankers, and specialty vehicles. Authorized KME representative for Kentucky with 245-day delivery on K180 models.
3. Mobile SCBA Service and Testing: Mobile service bringing SCBA flow testing, repair, software upgrades, meter calibration, and air mask fit testing directly to fire departments. Authorized MSA service and warranty center.
4. Mobile Apparatus Service: Mobile truck repair and maintenance including pump testing, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs delivered at customer locations across Kentucky.
5. Turnout Gear Repair: Advanced Fire Gear Repair division providing NFPA 1851 inspections, repairs, hydro testing, and certification services for turnout gear from all manufacturers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fire Department Service & Supply (FDSAS) is a Louisville, Kentucky-based distributor and service provider that supplies firefighting personal protective equipment (turnout gear, helmets, gloves, footwear, hoods, SCBA), fire apparatus, foam and rescue equipment, and body armor to fire departments across Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The company complements its product distribution with mobile SCBA flow testing, mobile fire apparatus maintenance and pump testing, and NFPA 1851-certified turnout gear repair through its Advanced Fire Gear Repair division.

Product overview

Fire Department Service & Supply is a family-owned firefighting equipment distributor serving Kentucky and Southern Indiana since 1973. The company operates as a single-location distributor offering an integrated portfolio of firefighting products and services organized around two pillars: (1) Equipment Sales covering personal protective equipment (PPE) including MSA G1 SCBA, MSA Cairns Fire Helmets, GLOBE Turnout Gear, Shelby Fire Gloves, Globe Guard Hoods, and GLOBE Footwear; firefighting apparatus including KME Fire Trucks, hoses/nozzles/appliances, rescue equipment, foam products (BIO FOR, CHEMGUARD, Penetro-Wet), lights (Streamlight, Nightstick), thermal imaging cameras (HyperSight), body armor, and hazardous spill cleanup (SaveSorb); and (2) Service offerings including Mobile Truck Service, Mobile SCBA Service, decontamination equipment (Solo Rescue, L&R Ultrasonics), and Advanced Fire Gear Repair certified to NFPA 1851 and INTERTEK standards. The company also runs a brand initiative called 'Faces at the Fire' featuring firefighter stories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MSA G1 SCBA

Quantifiable outcome

• First and only full-service certified fire gear repair center in Louisville Metro/Kentuckiana region
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GLOBE (MSA Safety)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 197350-year partnership as original GLOBE dealer in Kentucky. FDSAS is the original GLOBE dealer in Kentucky, offering full turnout gear portfolio including ATHLETIX, G-XTREME 3.0, G-XCEL, and CLASSIX lines. Also distributes GLOBE footwear and guard hoods.
• MSA SafetycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized MSA service and warranty center providing G1 SCBA, Cairns helmets, and associated equipment. FDSAS offers mobile SCBA testing and is certified to provide warranty service on MSA products.
• KME Fire ApparatuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Sales and Service Representative of KME World Class Fire Apparatus for all of Kentucky. KME is a global leader in customized specialty trucks and vehicles serving fire-rescue, aviation, petrochemical, industrial, energy, military, police markets.
• Cairns (MSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor of MSA Cairns fire helmets with access to Stock-Order-Ship (SOS) program for fast shipping. Cairns offers 1044 and 1010 fire helmets with 10-year lifetime warranty against defects.
• BioEx (BIO FOR)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of BIO FOR fluorine-free wetting and foaming agent effective on Class A/B fires. 100% biodegradable formula with superior fire extinguishing performance compared to competitors.
• ChemGuardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of ChemGuard foam concentrates and engineered equipment since 1984. Provides comprehensive fire protection solutions for fixed and semi-fixed system installations plus emergency response capability.
• SaveSorbminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational Sales Distributor for SaveSorb hazardous spill cleanup product. SaveSorb is a natural organic absorbent made from 100% plant matter that repels water and attracts oils for hydrocarbon encapsulation.
• Rescue IntellitechminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Solo Rescue Decon Washer, the world's first SCBA decon washer. Innovative product for emergency services focused on reducing firefighter cancer risk through thorough equipment decontamination.
• L&R UltrasonicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPioneer in ultrasonic cleaning technology for 90 years, applied to SCBA and firefighting equipment decontamination. Systems are easy to use, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient.
• Akron BrassminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Akron Brass hose, tools, nozzles, and appliances for firefighting. Premium equipment brand known for quality and durability in fire service applications.
• Elkhart BrassminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Elkhart Brass firefighting equipment including nozzles, monitors, and valves. Comprehensive municipal firefighting equipment catalog.
• HEN NozzlesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of HEN adjustable smoothbore nozzles allowing transition from solid tight stream to solid in-line blade pattern. Actively demonstrating at fire departments in the region.
• Harrington IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Harrington firefighting equipment and apparatus. Full catalog available through FDSAS.
• Council ToolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Council Tool firefighting axes and hand tools. Premium tools for fire service applications.
• SuperVacminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of SuperVac ventilation fans and PPV (Positive Pressure Ventilation) equipment for firefighting operations.
• StreamlightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Streamlight firefighting lights including Vulcan series. Full fire catalog available.
• NightstickminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Nightstick lighting products including Intrant Dual Angle Light and helmet lights. Full product catalog available.
• HyperSightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of HyperSight vehicle-mounted thermal imaging cameras. Cameras help firefighters see through smoke and prevent accidents, keeping critical people and equipment in service.
• FoxFuryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of FoxFury lighting solutions for firefighting applications including helmet lights and coat lights. Known for performance and durability.
• Mercedes TextilesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Mercedes Textiles fire hose and related products for firefighting operations.
• Snap-TiteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Snap-Tite firefighting equipment and couplings for municipal fire departments.
• INTERTEKminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party certification organization for Advanced Fire Gear Repair. INTERTEK provides certification for NFPA 1851 compliant inspection and repair processes.
• Shelby Fire GlovesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of Shelby specialty fire gloves. Since 1953, Shelby has produced firefighting gloves in the USA with reputation for protection, durability, fit, and performance. XTRICATION rescue gloves with Kevlar reinforcement available.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dinges Fire Company: Midwest-based fire equipment distributor selling turnout gear, SCBA, hoses, and accessories to volunteer and career fire departments. Comparable to FDSAS as a regional, multi-brand PPE distributor focused on smaller fire departments.
• Atlantic Emergency Solutions: Fire apparatus dealer and service provider in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S., carrying multiple OEM apparatus lines. Directly comparable to FDSAS's KME apparatus sales and mobile service business model.
• Witmer Public Safety Group: Multi-state fire and public safety equipment distributor offering PPE, apparatus, gear repair, and training services. Directly comparable to FDSAS as a regional distributor with similar product portfolio and trade show/event-driven GTM.
• Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus: Used and refurbished fire apparatus dealer with service capabilities serving departments across the U.S. Comparable to FDSAS as an apparatus-focused fire service provider with adjacent service offerings.
• Municipal Emergency Services (MES): Large regional fire and EMS equipment distributor providing PPE, SCBA, gear repair, and apparatus services across multiple U.S. regions. Closest direct competitor to FDSAS in terms of product breadth, gear repair service, and distributor model.
• Fisher Fire Apparatus: Regional fire apparatus dealer providing sales, service, and parts to fire departments. Comparable to FDSAS's KME apparatus sales division and mobile truck service model.

Broad incumbents

• Pierce Manufacturing: Leading U.S. fire apparatus manufacturer (owned by Oshkosh) selling through a regional dealer network. Comparable to FDSAS's apparatus business model, but operates at the manufacturer level rather than as a regional distributor.
• MSA Safety: Global manufacturer of SCBA, connected firefighter technology, helmets, and PPE. FDSAS is an authorized MSA distributor and warranty center; MSA sets the product roadmap and is an essential upstream partner.
• REV Group (Fire & Emergency Segment): Large manufacturer of fire apparatus (E-ONE, KME, Ferrara, Spartan, etc.) with a national dealer network. Comparable to FDSAS's KME representation, though REV interacts with FDSAS as a manufacturer partner rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• VFIS / Penn Care (ambulance and fire equipment): Mid-Atlantic fire and EMS equipment distributor offering PPE, gear repair, and apparatus services. Comparable to FDSAS in product mix and target customer (small-to-mid fire departments), with partial geographic overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/fdsas
• Facebookfacebook.com/FireDepartmentServiceAndSupply

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Fire Department Service & Supply