About Us

Who We Are

Generations of Fire Safety

Since 1946, our family-owned business has been the heart of Michigan’s fire safety, offering Grand Rapids fire protection with three generations of passion and expertise. From inspections to installations and 24/7 emergency support, we’re dedicated to keeping your building safe and compliant year-round.

Affiliations and Accreditations

Our History and Future

Fire Fighter Sales & Service was founded in 1946 by Jim Ten Broek. A decade later, in 1956, Jim passed the torch to his apprentice, Vern Brewer. Since then, the Brewer family has been running the company with immense passion and dedication.

By 2005, three generations of the Brewer family were actively involved in the business, providing a unique blend of experience and forward-thinking vision. This family legacy allows us to honor our rich history while embracing the future of fire protection technology. Our third-generation family members are driving innovation by enhancing our reporting systems and expanding our technicians’ knowledge to ensure we deliver the most efficient and effective service possible.

Today, our team has grown to 21 full-time employees, many of whom are members of the family and trusted close friends. This stability and continuity are the bedrock of our family-oriented approach, enabling us to treat each customer with the same care and attention as our own family.

What We Do

From our beginnings as a portable fire extinguisher service provider, we have continually expanded our offerings. Now, we provide a comprehensive range of Grand Rapids fire protection services, including waterless fire suppression, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems. Our all-in-one service model means that our customers can get all their fire protection needs under one roof, simplifying the process and saving money.

We are proud of our history and excited about our future. Our commitment to family values and customer care remains at the core of everything we do, making sure that we provide personalized, reliable, and top-notch service to every customer.

Meet the Team

Put a face to the name of all the professionals who work together to answer your calls and keep your fire safety systems running smoothly.

Grant Simon

Office Manager

Grant ensures our office operates smoothly and efficiently, handling customer responses, scheduling, accounts receivable/payable, and invoicing. He also maintains our website, creates engaging blog content, and manages our social media presence. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional multitasking skills, his commitment to excellence keeps both our team and customers well-supported.

Bryan Hatchew

Operations Manager

Bryan oversees the company’s broader operations, managing both office and field staff for smooth coordination and maximum efficiency. As a license holder and primary contributor to quoting and customer relations, he is integral to our compliance and operational standards. He provides essential technical support and guidance to our technicians, making him a vital leader in our success.

Kelly Simon

HR Administrator

Kelly manages all aspects of employee administration, from on-boarding to benefits and conflict resolution. She also provides invaluable support to the office as an assistant office manager. Currently, she’s expanding her expertise in accounting in preparation to take on that role in the future. Her dedication and versatile skill set make her a pillar of our team.

Nick Brewer

Fire Alarm Specialist

Nick brings expert knowledge to every fire alarm and suppression project. He handles quoting, designs Kitchen Suppression and Fire Alarm Systems, and ensures top-notch installations. His hands-on approach and attention to detail provide reliable, award-worthy fire protection solutions for our customers.

Chad Gillespie

Service Manager

Chad leads our sprinkler division with unparalleled expertise, overseeing maintenance, repairs, inspection, and installation of fire sprinkler systems. He ensures our technicians are well-trained and handles quoting for additional services. His leadership and specialized knowledge raise the bar for the high standards of service our customers expect.

Dave Hoogterp

EHS Coordinator

Dave ensures our compliance with D.O.T, OSHA, and NFPA regulations. He specializes in fire extinguisher codes, including placement, maintenance, training, installation, size, and type. He also provides exceptional training for our customers and staff by leading our Fire Extinguisher Training Program, a comprehensive course he developed on the use and purpose of extinguishers. His unwavering dedication to safety standards helps maintain a safe and compliant workplace.

Mark Denhof

Lakeshore Manager

Mark oversees customer relationships and operations along the west shoreline, from Holland to Manistee. He personally inspects, maintains, and services fire extinguishers at many of these locations to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. His dedication to customer service and meticulous attention to detail make him a trusted partner for our clients, providing personalized and reliable fire protection services.

Magnus (Captain Mango)

Office Assistant & Morale Director

Affectionately known as Captain Mango, Magnus is our beloved shop dog and the heart of our office. He assists the Office Manager, boosts morale, and keeps a watchful eye on the lunchroom. He takes these responsibilities seriously, ensuring everyone’s spirits remain high throughout the day. Despite his demanding schedule, he still finds time for naps, tail wagging, and collecting treats. He embodies our commitment to a positive work environment and is a cherished part of our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

We service all of Michigan but we are primarily focused on the Greater Grand Rapids area.

The short answer is once per year. However, depending on the industry a higher frequency of inspection may be required.

We bring over 70 years of experience and can bundle several services in one visitation ie. Fire Extinguishers & Emergency Lights. We do our best to minimize visits by maximizing the services provided when we do our inspections. We also set up a recurring schedule whether it be annually, semi-annually, monthly, or as often as requested so you don’t have to worry about when you are due.

Yes. We regularly inspect fire extinguishers at our service counter. These inspections typically only take a few minutes, provided no extra service is required.

We recommend having a 5# multipurpose dry chemical ABC rated extinguisher on each level of your home. Bigger is better in this situation, pounds of powder fight fires.

We do not Recharge either of these tanks but we are one of few companies that can Hydro-test them.

Yes, we handle all of the necessary report submittals that are required by the local municipalities.

As a company we are capable of covering anything in the Fire Safety field.

Yes. We are able to offer our customers replacements while we service their extinguishers.

Get a Free Fire Safety Quote

Take the first step towards reliable (and compliant) fire safety solutions for your Michigan building. Simply call to speak to a human immediately, or fill out our form at your convenience.