CitroTech outlines fire product growth after NYSE American uplist

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Fire growth and 2025 results

CitroTech has reported revenue growth in 2025, leadership changes, an NYSE American uplist and further commercial plans for its fire inhibition products and CitroSafe systems.

In a letter to shareholders issued on 30 March, Wesley J. Bolsen, Chief Executive Officer of CitroTech, outlined the company’s financial performance and corporate developments.

Revenue reached $2.4 million in 2025, up from $808,000 in 2024.

The company also completed $8.1 million in Series C financing through preferred equity and convertible instruments.

CitroTech’s common stock uplisted to the NYSE American in December 2025.

Bolsen said Andrew Hotsko joined as Chief Operating Officer in July 2025 and that he joined as Chief Executive Officer in October 2025.

He also confirmed that Craig Huff of Boltrock Holdings and Lorenzo Calinawan from Chemlink Partners joined the Board of Directors.

In early 2026, the company added a Vice President of Business Development and expanded its research and development team.

Fire products and 2026 commercial plans

Bolsen said CitroTech holds 37 granted patents and 45 filed or pending applications covering chemistry, application methods and fire inhibition technologies.

He added that the company remained the first and only fire inhibitor to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice designation and that it has maintained UL GREENGUARD Gold certification.

The letter stated that CitroTech products saw adoption by fire departments, particularly across California.

Its wood treatment products also moved toward commercialisation for the fire-retardant-treated lumber market.

In early 2026, the company began partnering with lumber and building materials companies using CitroTech formulations to produce Class A fire rated wood products.

Bolsen said CitroTech continued deploying CitroSafe Systems for residential and commercial properties and linked further deployment to proof-of-concept work with a major broker.

Fire outlook linked to wildfire demand

Bolsen said CitroTech’s 2026 focus is on scaling operations, expanding commercial channels and building partnerships across the lumber and building materials industry.

He added that CitroSafe Systems deployment is expected to move beyond proof-of-concept, including deeper integration with insurance solutions.

CitroTech expects revenue growth to accelerate in 2026 as wildfire season intensifies and commercial channels expand.

The letter also cited independent research projecting the global fire-retardant market will reach $13.6 billion by 2034.

Bolsen said the company plans to report its first quarter 2026 results during its first formal earnings call in May.

Bill Webb recognised for fire service leadership at Washington symposium

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Bill Webb award announcement and symposium details

Bill Webb received the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) received the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award at the 36th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Symposium in Washington, D.C., on March 19, 2026.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and Motorola Solutions announced the Mason Lankford award recipient, and the NFFF, CFSI, VFIS and UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute confirmed the Sarbanes award recipient.

More than 1,500 leaders in fire and emergency services attended the symposium to network, discuss current challenges and opportunities and honour those recognised by the organisations.

Bill Webb and the Mason Lankford award

Jointly sponsored by CFSI and Motorola Solutions, the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award recognises public safety leaders for work linked to prevention, mitigation and emergency response.

Bill Webb, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at the NFFF and former Executive Director of CFSI, spent three decades leading CFSI and advocating for federal support for the fire service and for the health and safety of fire and emergency services personnel.

During his time at CFSI, Webb worked with six presidential administrations and congressional members on joint fire service positions tied to major legislation.

His work contributed to the creation of the Assistance to the Firefighters Grant program, the expansion of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program and the establishment of the federal First Responder Network Authority.

Troy Markel, Chair of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors, said: “Bill Webb’s steadfast dedication and passion for the fire and emergency services community exemplifies the impact and leadership of Mason Lankford.

“Bill has made a lasting impact on those who serve, meeting challenges head-on while always keeping the future of fire service programs in mind.

“His commitment extends beyond the profession, as he continues to support the families of our Fire Heroes.

“I’m proud to serve alongside him on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Board of Directors.”

Firefighter Cancer Support Network recognised for report

Co-sponsored by CFSI and NFFF with support from VFIS and UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute, the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award recognises a public safety organisation for contributions to firefighters’ health and safety.

The Firefighter Cancer Support Network received the award for its report, Doing it Right: Reducing Cancer in the Fire Service.

Developed with fire service leaders and cancer researchers, the programme sets out how to reduce occupational cancer risks faced by firefighters.

It provides steps to limit exposure and support long-term occupational health.

Victor Stagnaro, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, said: “Our nation’s firefighters put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities.

“FCSN’s ‘Doing It Right’ report gives them the tools to reduce those risks and safeguard their health over the long term.

“With innovative programs like this, we can reduce the invisible threat of cancers, strengthen firefighter safety, and support those who serve through education.

“We are proud to recognize FCSN with this well-deserved award.”

More information about the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership Award and the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award is available at cfsi.org/awards.

Pierce Manufacturing launches High Flow Phase I in Wisconsin

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Pierce Manufacturing launches High Flow Phase I

Phase I of the new High Flow production line has launched at Pierce Manufacturing’s Appleton, Wisconsin manufacturing campus, changing the custom chassis assembly process as part of a wider manufacturing update.

Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced the launch as part of its multi-year modernisation programme and ongoing $150 million investment across manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Florida and Tennessee.

The company said the High Flow Line introduces a redesigned manufacturing model centred on balanced workloads, enhanced quality controls within the production line and integrated technology.

Pierce said Phase I is already delivering measurable improvements across the custom chassis production process.

The company linked the line to plans to expand production capacity and improve quality, with the aim of reducing fire apparatus lead times.

According to Marty Bass, president of Pierce Manufacturing: “These investments reflect our continued focus on transforming how custom fire apparatus are built to meet the needs of modern firefighting.

“By integrating High Flow production principles with advanced technology and expanded facilities, we’re creating safer, more efficient work environments for our team members while accelerating lead time reductions for our customers.

“We’ve already reduced lead times by more than three months from their peak, and we expect this next phase will build on that momentum.”

Pierce Manufacturing outlines further production changes

Pierce said later phases of the High Flow Line will change the remaining final assembly operations in the second half of 2026.

The company said improved workflow design and closer alignment of labour and resources are supporting faster backlog reduction while maintaining customisation, craftsmanship and performance standards.

Phase I also includes expanded use of digital work instructions, improved tooling, ergonomic workstations and advanced inspection technologies.

Pierce said these changes add to other recent Appleton campus investments, including advanced automation, robotics, fabrication technologies and expanded paint capacity.

Across its operations, the company said it has added more than 500,000 square feet of facility space, invested over $70 million to date and hired about 800 new team members.

Bass added: “With High Flow, we’re embedding continuous improvement into every stage of production.

“This approach helps eliminate waste, simplify work and elevate customer quality while creating a more consistent, predictable manufacturing process that supports our teams and our customers.”

Additional phases of the High Flow Line are planned as Pierce continues applying its modernised production model across operations.

Fire-Dex turnout system verified for UL particulate ingress requirements

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Fire-Dex verification covers AeroFlex configuration

Fire-Dex has announced that UL Solutions has verified particulate ingress results for its AeroFlex turnout system under UL Verification 1641.

The company said the verification confirms performance to NFPA Particle Inward Leakage testing requirements when the ensemble is worn in a specific configuration.

The evaluated setup included the AeroFlex coat with a properly engaged SCBA, along with AeroFlex pants fitted with the optional particulate-blocking barrier.

Results are published by UL Solutions under Verification 1641.

Test method and reported findings

Testing used a controlled particulate chamber in which a firefighter performed prescribed actions for 20 minutes.

Researchers then assessed skin contamination after the gear was carefully doffed.

According to Fire-Dex, UL’s verification posting reports less than 1 microgram exposure on the wearer across the ensemble.

The findings confirm that a properly engaged SCBA helps seal the coat-to-pant interface, preventing particulate migration into the torso area even without an added particulate barrier in the coat.

The optional particulate-blocking barrier in the pants provided added lower body protection.

AeroFlex design and company comments

Fire-Dex said the AeroFlex turnout system is built around zoned breathability.

It places VaporLite breathable composite panels at the side seams, armpits, inner thighs and behind the knees.

It also integrates AeroVent Technology within those zones to move warm humid air outward under pressure, with an integrated particulate-blocking element in the vent.

Todd Herring, V.P. of Product Innovation and Strategy, Fire-Dex, said: “Particulate barriers in pant/coat interfaces add protection from contaminants, but the trade-off is that they can limit breathability.

“AirFlex is designed differently, with vents that help hot air escape from inside turnouts but that also keep particulates out.

“That gives departments a clearer path when weighing particulate protection and heat management inside the coat, because our UL-verified system addresses both in one ensemble.

“This design supports breathability, wearer comfort, and operational mobility while maintaining required certified performance.”

Fire-Dex said AeroFlex was engineered to address the effect that added particulate barrier layers can have on moisture vapour transport through a structural coat.

Mercurius Media Capital backs LifeSafe with $1.5m US fire campaign deal

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LifeSafe receives first fire safety investment from MMC

Mercurius Media Capital (MMC) has announced a $1.5 million investment in LifeSafe Technologies to support a national direct-to-consumer media campaign for its consumer fire safety products in the US.

Mercurius Media Capital said the deal is its first investment in fire safety technology and will fund a campaign aimed at bringing LifeSafe products to US households.

The company said it invests media capital in exchange for equity in consumer categories where demand exists and no single brand has established dominance.

It described fire safety as one such category and said the investment is intended to build LifeSafe’s position in the US market.

LifeSafe product range and US sales position

LifeSafe, a UK-headquartered fire safety technology company, has sold over one million units of its StaySafe All-in-1 in the US since 2022.

The StaySafe All-in-1 is described as a suppression solution covering ten fire types in one compact plastic unit, including cooking oil, electrical and lithium-ion battery fires.

The product is also described as non-toxic, environmentally friendly and not requiring training or maintenance.

LifeSafe said it is extending its range with PanSafe for kitchen cooking fires, StaySafe Lithium for small lithium fires and a larger 600ml All-in-1.

Together, the four products are described as covering the most common fire scenarios in American homes.

Executives outline growth plans for LifeSafe

Piyush Puri, Founding Partner, Mercurius Media Capital, said: “We look for categories where demand is universal but consumer engagement remains underdeveloped.

“LifeSafe has built strong product-market fit and commercial momentum, and our role is to deploy media capital to accelerate awareness and build a leading consumer brand.”

Dominic Berger, CEO, LifeSafe Technologies, said: “When consumers see the StaySafe All-in-1 in action, they buy it.

“All our television activity to date has driven significant sales, and we are confident that this investment by MMC will supercharge our US sales and brand development and provide the platform for worldwide expansion.

“We believe every home, car, boat, RV, school, hotel, and office should have one, as all big fires start small.

“We hope to become the WD-40 of fire extinguishers – easy to use, effective first aid for fire – with a mission to save lives.”

Charity boxing match sends London firefighters to Madison Square Garden

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Firefighters compete in New York charity bouts

Two London firefighters took part in the third International Battle of the Badges charity boxing match at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Dominik Burridge and Shane Mendoza were selected to represent London against American opponents at the event, which raised $50,000 for several American firefighter charities.

Cruiserweight Mendoza, from North Kensington Blue Watch, faced Sam Kelly from New York Fire Department (FDNY) Engine 1.

Light heavyweight Burridge, from Fulham Green Watch, faced Gavin Conner from the Denver Fire Department.

Burridge lost on a split decision. Mendoza lost against a more experienced boxer.

Just over half of the 14 bouts on the card were won by FDNY and the American firefighters.

This is believed to be the first time firefighters from London and New York have officially met in the ring in almost 40 years.

In 1987, firefighters from both services met at a charity event hosted by the Brigade in Bloomsbury.

Boxing team coach on the London bouts

Firefighter Charlie Beatt, coach of the Brigade’s boxing team, said: “It has been an amazing opportunity for the Brigade’s boxing team to be invited to take part in this event, facing up against the best New York has to offer.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work that Dominik and Shane put into preparing for their bouts, and while we didn’t win, they showed the determination you find in every London firefighter.

“Now it is all about what comes next, and what a potential rematch might look like in the future.”

Outreach plans linked to Brigade boxing

London Fire Brigade also said boxing within the Brigade supports work with young people across London.

LFB Boxing runs a 10-week programme centred on coaching, positive role modelling and regular exercise for young people.

The club is led by Beatt and is seeking to expand the boxing outreach programme across London.

Plans include turning space at one of the Brigade’s fire stations in the London Borough of Croydon into a community boxing gym.

Boxing clubs with facilities that can help set up the scheme are being encouraged to get in touch.

New research shows North America wildfire seasons moving in different directions

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Wildfire study tracks regional timing shifts

A new study has found that climate change is changing the timing of wildfire seasons across North America, with earlier fire seasons in northern forests, limited change in prairie regions and later activity in parts of the western United States and California.

The research, published in Geophysical Research Letters, examined wildfire activity across 18 ecological regions using burn area data collected between 2001 and 2020 from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites.

Researchers combined the satellite data with environmental variables including temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, vegetation conditions, wind speed and lightning potential.

The analysis found that ecosystems are responding in different ways, with boreal and taiga forests across Alaska, Canada and parts of the Great Lakes region showing wildfire seasons that are shifting earlier in the year.

The study links that change to earlier snowmelt and faster drying of vegetation, which exposes flammable fuels sooner in spring.

It also found that boreal ecosystems are especially sensitive to atmospheric dryness, which was identified as the main driver of wildfire activity across several fire regimes.

Hongliang Zhang, environmental scientist at Fudan University in China, said: “It’s very region-specific.”

Wildfire seasons extend later in western regions

The study found that Mediterranean-type climates and desert regions in the western United States are seeing fire seasons that continue later into the year.

In California and the warm desert Southwest, increased late-season burning is pushing wildfire activity further into autumn and early winter.

The research links those patterns to prolonged drought conditions and changes in vegetation dynamics that increase fuel availability later in the year.

Prairie ecosystems and humid forest regions including the Appalachian Mountains and the southeastern United States showed only limited shifts in wildfire timing.

Researchers said these regions may be more stable because of stronger precipitation influences and different vegetation structures.

Wildfire projections point to further seasonal change

The researchers also used climate model projections to assess how wildfire seasons may change in future decades.

Under a high-emissions climate scenario, the study projects that boreal wildfire seasons could begin around a week earlier on average.

Some northern regions could shift by more than three weeks.

California’s wildfire season could extend by more than a month beyond the traditional June-to-October window, and desert regions in the western United States may also see later seasonal expansion.

The source material also states that the modelling framework could be used to assess vegetation change, along with human activity, in wildfire ignition.

According to the source material, about 85% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by human actions, including arson or unattended campfires.

Zhang said: “That model is really good at predicting wildfire.

“So now we want to predict the emissions of wildfire to the atmosphere.”

The study concludes that climate change is reshaping the seasonal distribution of wildfire activity across North America in ways that differ sharply between ecosystems.

US fire truck orders face five-year delays

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Fire trucks face longer waits and higher costs

Fire departments across the United States are facing delivery delays of up to five years for new apparatus as prices continue to rise.

InvestigateTV reported that the issue has become a national challenge affecting response capability, fleet management and long-term procurement planning.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, fire departments typically waited around a year for a new fire engine after placing an order.

Jason Shivers, division chief of Forsyth County Fire Department in metro Atlanta and chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ emergency vehicle management section, said: “Before 2020, the fire chiefs of North America could fairly accurately know how long it was going to take.”

Shivers said: “You could expect to get a fire engine in about 12 months, maybe 14, maybe 16. That was consistent for many years before the pandemic.”

Supply chain disruption slowed manufacturing, shut down plants and delayed parts shipments, pushing delivery windows from months into years.

Shivers said: “Today, unfortunately, an order may take up to four years, sometimes five years.”

Harold Theus, fire chief of Alachua County Fire Rescue in north-central Florida, said the price of a fire engine in his department rose from roughly $550,000 in 2022 to $915,000 by December 2025.

The increase represents a 64% rise over four years for equipment that has remained largely unchanged.

Shivers said the national price floor for a new pumper engine is now at least $1 million.

Theus said: “I keep thinking we’ve hit the ceiling. I don’t know where the ceiling is. For the taxpayer, it needs to be soon.”

Why delays in fire trucks orders have grown

InvestigateTV reported that fire service leaders said the backlog has worsened as departments placed extra orders to secure production slots.

As delivery timelines stretched, many departments tried to get ahead of longer waits by ordering earlier or ordering more than they once would have.

Shivers said: “The chiefs of America have been part of the problem.

“The natural reaction was to say, ‘If I’ve got to wait that long, maybe I need to double that order.

“Maybe I need to triple that order.’”

Shivers said: “It’s cyclical. And we’ve aggravated the problem because of the number of orders we’ve tried to put in to get ahead of the next guy.”

Industry leaders also said the custom-build model for fire apparatus has slowed production.

Fire engines are often built to the specifications of individual departments rather than produced through a standardised assembly process.

Shivers said: “Firefighters hate two things: change and the way things are.

“We are very, very stuck in the tradition of the fire service. We are very proud of being stuck in the tradition of the fire service.”

Some departments are now purchasing stock vehicles or demonstration units through dealer allocations to shorten delivery timelines.

Forsyth County has used that approach for trucks, and Alachua County Fire Rescue bought seven stock ambulances with a 12-month delivery timeline.

Theus said: “We did have to give some things up. We were in a situation where we didn’t have enough ambulances on the road.”

Older fleets stay in service as parts remain hard to source

InvestigateTV also reported that departments are facing shortages of replacement parts for existing vehicles, leaving some apparatus out of service.

Keith Durden, a fire apparatus service technician with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry, said some trucks are waiting on components that are no longer made or are unavailable.

Durden said: “There are fire trucks on the road right now that if a part fails, there isn’t a replacement part still manufactured or in stock.”

He said two fire trucks in the Caribbean were sitting out of service while crews waited for a part to arrive.

In Alachua County, a 2009 ladder truck due for retirement in 2024 remains in frontline service while the department waits for its replacement, which is expected in January 2027.

When that vehicle is out of service, the department has no backup aerial apparatus.

Asked whether crews still respond to incidents without an aerial ladder available, Theus said: “without aerial device? Yes, we do.”

Theus said smaller departments are especially exposed when a single breakdown or crash can remove a vehicle from service.

Industry groups including the International Association of Fire Chiefs are looking at standardised apparatus specifications for different operating environments as departments continue managing ageing fleets and longer procurement cycles.

NAFECO appoints Brandon Oaks as CEO for fire and public safety markets

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NAFECO appoints new chief executive

NAFECO has appointed Brandon Oaks as Chief Executive Officer and President, effective immediately, in Decatur, Alabama.

The company said Oaks moved into the role from Chief Operating Officer after the recent death of founder and longtime CEO Jerrell Oaks.

NAFECO serves first responders and public safety organisations across the Southeastern United States.

His appointment continues the Oaks family’s leadership of the business and follows a succession process Jerrell Oaks had worked to build during his career.

NAFECO details continuity plans

As Chief Operating Officer, Oaks oversaw daily business operations and key vendor and customer relationships.

He also worked on supply chain strategy and long-term planning across the company’s core markets.

Brian Oaks, Vice President of Administration, said: “Brandon has been instrumental in the operational strength of this company for years.

“His passion for NAFECO, his deep respect for our father’s vision, and his commitment to every member of this team make him the right leader to carry this company into its next chapter.

“We are proud to move forward together.”

The company said Oaks will lead the business with a focus on continuity and on the customer-first values it associates with the company.

Darley reports new product launches and supplier recognition

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Darley update outlines spring initiatives

Darley has used its March and April edition of Inside Darley to outline updates on a new data platform, supplier recognition, defence manufacturing activity and product plans for April’s Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC).

Paul Darley introduced the issue and said the spring and summer Darley Times newsletter includes a feature on Lee Wise, Darley’s new president, alongside operational updates from across the company.

The update introduces the Darley Data Center at DarleyData.com.

The platform allows fire departments to compare operational data with up to four other departments, including response times, duration on scene and incident categories.

The idea for the platform came from Ed Tiesenga, village trustee at Oak Brook, Illinois, who had questioned his local fire department about response times and related performance information.

The newsletter also reports that Pierce Manufacturing named Darley its supplier of the year for 2025.

Darley linked the award to teams in Chippewa Falls and at its headquarters in Itasca who support those accounts.

Mike Darley, one of six fourth generation family members at the company, is set to manage the Pierce account and Oshkosh accounts alongside other large defence prime contractor relationships.

Darley sets out certification and FDIC plans

The newsletter also outlines Darley’s defence manufacturing activity and its progress with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).

Darley said the company was among the first 300 of roughly 60,000 defence manufacturers in the United States to receive the third-party certification required to work with federal government customers.

The update also sets out product plans for FDIC in Indianapolis from 21 to 23 April.

Darley plans to present new wildland equipment at the event, including a wildland pump module and a dual control panel designed for Kubota wildland pumps.

The company also intends to display unmanned aircraft systems, reflecting its involvement in aerial drones, underwater drones and robotic drones, along with counter-drone technology from Dedrone.

Elsewhere in the newsletter, Darley notes that employees and the Chicago Tribune named the company one of the best places to work, following similar recognition from Crain’s Chicago Business and Deloitte in the previous year.

The issue also refers to Darley’s support for The Leadership Podcast as exclusive sponsor for more than five years, noting that the programme’s 500th episode featured Admiral Bill McRaven.