Pye-Barker expands integrated life safety services with Alcom and OK-SEE acquisition in Oklahoma City

by AmericasFeatured NewsMergers & Acquisitions

Pye-Barker strengthens Oklahoma City life safety services

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has acquired Oklahoma-based Alcom Security Systems and its sister company OK-SEE Security Trailers, expanding integrated life safety and security services in the Oklahoma City area.

According to Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, the deals advance its use of proactive video monitoring technology within its wider life safety portfolio.

The company stated that bringing Alcom Security Systems and OK-SEE Security Trailers into its group will deepen its service offering for local businesses and organisations.

Alcom and OK-SEE bring monitoring and mobile security capability

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety reported that Alcom Security Systems provides service, testing and maintenance for security, fire alarm, access control and 24/7 monitoring systems.

The company added that Alcom Security Systems has operated for more than 30 years, maintaining standards in training, technical skills and customer service to protect businesses and their staff.

OK-SEE Security Trailers offers mobile security systems that use proactive video monitoring to help protect sites from theft, vandalism, structural damage and environmental risks.

According to Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, OK-SEE Security Trailers’ approach supports faster police response times, fewer false alarms and prevention of potential threats before they escalate.

Pye-Barker leaders highlight focus on proactive video monitoring

Mike McKinney, co-owner of Alcom Security Systems and OK-SEE Security Trailers, said: “Pye-Barker has been an incredible partner during the acquisition process,”

“We are family businesses, so it was important to us that we continued our journey with a company that puts people first like Pye-Barker does.”

Taylor McKinney, co-owner of Alcom Security Systems and OK-SEE Security Trailers, added: “We’re confident that with Pye-Barker’s support, we will be able to expand our proactive security technology to protect more lives and properties, and we’re excited to integrate these services into the Pye-Barker family.”

Bart Proctor, Chief Executive Officer of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, said: “Furthering our proactive video monitoring presence is an important step for Pye-Barker,”

“OK-SEE and Alcom have developed a strong reputation through innovative services and top-tier customer service, and we welcome them to the Pye-Barker family with open arms.”

Transaction advisers and continuity for Oklahoma customers

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety confirmed that Alcom Security Systems and OK-SEE Security Trailers technicians will continue to serve customers in Oklahoma under the new ownership.

The company stated that this continuity is intended to maintain existing relationships and support ongoing projects in the Oklahoma City area.

Alcom Security Systems and OK-SEE Security Trailers were represented in the transactions by Barry Epstein, founder and president of Vertex Capital.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety was represented by law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough.

Ramtech expands US presence to deliver modern fire safety systems

by AmericasConstructionFeatured NewsHealth and SafetySafety

Ramtech opens new US office to boost supply chain and safety reach

Ramtech has announced the opening of a new office in Charlotte, North Carolina, expanding its operations across the United States and building a full domestic supply chain.

The global wireless solutions provider said the new base will improve access to fire and life safety systems for contractors across the US construction sector.

According to the company, the office will help mitigate supply chain delays, rising costs and logistical issues while supporting contractors with equipment, training and technical assistance.

Ramtech said the Charlotte location will enhance mobilisation and delivery efficiency for modern fire and life safety technologies nationwide.

Industry leadership and focus on modern practices

Joel Pickering, fire and life safety principal at Ramtech, said: “For too long, the US has relied on outdated approaches that don’t reflect today’s risks or the solutions available.

“It should be no surprise when we say there is a clear need for stronger, more uniform adoption of safety codes and modern evacuation technologies that ensure every construction worker feels safe and protected at all times.”

Pickering added: “At Ramtech, we are challenging the status quo, maintaining our focus on ‘safety simplified’, fully aligning ourselves with NFPA standards, while striving to build a chain of awareness, adoption and compliance that brings everyone aboard.

“The opening of this office adds another crucial piece to the puzzle, enhancing mobilisation, efficiency and consistent evacuation support across every environment.”

Expanding partnerships and operational coverage

Ramtech has worked in the US for seven years, serving major construction firms including Turner, PCL and Barton Malow, as well as clients in the maritime defence sector.

Its WES system has protected more than 350 workers on large-scale projects such as Hudson Detroit and Gaylord Pacific Resort.

The company partners with over a dozen distributors across the US, including Space Age Electronics.

Ramtech said Charlotte will act as an anchor point for its planned expansion across the South and Midwest regions.

Senior leadership comments on US investment

James Pecz, head of North America, Middle East and Global CX at Ramtech, said: “We are proud to put a permanent marker on the map in North Carolina.

“The launch is a tangible statement of our investment in the US market and a demonstration of our commitment to partners and clients across the country.

“Deciding to establish a base here bring us closer to delivering safety solutions more efficiently and reliably, backed by a full US supply chain and national service coverage.

“As we continue to grow our presence in the US, this step ensures that Ramtech is not just responding to the currency of industry needs, but actively shaping the future of wireless evacuation solutions, helping protect workers and facilities at every stage of a project.”

Ceremony marks official opening

The launch event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Bruna Pacios Esposito, business unit director at Ramtech, alongside Orama managing director Giorgio Koursaris.

Product marketing manager Jiayao Wang presented recent technology developments during the opening.

Forthcoming whitepaper to assess US site safety

Ramtech confirmed that Pickering is leading a new edition of the company’s ‘No Site Left Behind’ whitepaper, first released in 2022.

The updated report will analyse fire safety awareness across US construction and industrial projects.

It will incorporate insight from Pickering’s experience on major developments and is scheduled for publication later this year.

The release coincides with preparations for the next edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 241 standard in 2026.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

Ramtech’s Charlotte expansion provides contractors and safety managers with direct access to wireless fire and life safety systems through a full US-based supply chain.

The development is particularly relevant for construction site safety officers, project managers and compliance teams seeking faster mobilisation and standardised evacuation systems.

By situating operations in North Carolina, Ramtech can offer regional support to distributors and installers, improving response times for technical and training needs.

The company’s forthcoming whitepaper may also inform safety officers and code enforcers ahead of the 2026 revision of NFPA 241, the key US standard for preventing fire damage during construction.

Experts meet in Peru to protect Amazonian forests

by AmericasBreaking News

Experts from five countries have met in Lima, Peru to update the “Prevention Backpack” with the Integrated Fire Management approach.

The National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp), an agency attached to the Ministry of the Environment and the Supervisory Agency for Forest Resources and Wildlife (Osinfor), with technical and financial support from the German Cooperation (GIZ), inaugurated the first technical meeting of experts in forest fire prevention in Lima.

“Forest Fire Prevention Backpack”

The meeting aims to update the renowned “Forest Fire Prevention Backpack”, an innovative tool that now incorporates the Integrated Fire Management (IFM) approach to strengthen the protection of Amazonian forests.

The “Prevention Backpack” is a tool that is built in a participatory and playful way using everyday items to teach rural, native and farming communities how to recognize risks, prevent forest fires and respond in their initial stages.

With the support of park rangers as facilitators, the community incorporates prevention messages and generates knowledge based on their own experiences in the area.

Impact and effectiveness

The impact of this tool has transcended borders. In recent years, it has been implemented in Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, sparking interest in more countries in the region.

Its effectiveness has led to its inclusion in the 2025-2026 Biennial Plan of the Amazonian Forest Fire Network (RAMIF) of the ACTO member countries, as well as in the Prevention Group of the Latin American Forest Fire Experts Platform (GEFFLac), supported by the European Union.

Recognized as an international best practice, the Prevention Backpack is once again at the heart of regional cooperation.

With representatives from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru, this first technical meeting aims to gather experiences and develop an updated model, replicable throughout the Amazon basin, thereby strengthening the joint response to one of the region’s greatest environmental threats.

Under an Integrated Fire Management approach, the goal is to value the best practices of local communities, recognize the ecological role of fire and its responsible use in the context of climate change.

This process represents both a challenge and an opportunity that Sernanp and Osinfor are embracing with leadership.

Experts meet in Peru to protect Amazonian forests: Summary

Experts from five countries have met in Lima, Peru to update the “Prevention Backpack” with the Integrated Fire Management approach.

Why NFPA and State Farm want you to check your chargers

by AmericasAssociations and OrganisationsFeatured NewsSafety

NFPA and State Farm launch 2025 Fire Prevention Week campaign

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and State Farm once again joined forces for the ninth consecutive year to support Fire Prevention Week, running from 5–11 October 2025.

The campaign, themed “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-ion Batteries in the Home,” aims to educate the public about the potential fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries found in common household devices.

According to the NFPA, State Farm will distribute 4,782 Fire Prevention Week toolkits to local fire departments across 48 US states.

Each toolkit contains educational materials such as brochures, posters and magnets that departments will share at community events, schools and open houses.

Campaign focuses on household battery fire risks

NFPA Director of Public Education Kelly Ransdell said the collaboration helps extend vital safety information to more communities.

Kelly Ransdell, Director of Public Education at NFPA, said: “The proactive support we receive from State Farm each year strengthens our ability to reach the public with critical fire safety messages.

“It also allows us to focus on where risk is greatest – in homes, where the majority of US fire deaths occur each year.”

Ransdell explained that most household electronics, including smartphones, tablets, e-cigarettes, laptops and toys, use lithium-ion batteries that can present fire hazards if not handled properly.

She said the joint initiative with State Farm will help more residents understand how to buy, charge and recycle these batteries safely.

State Farm reinforces community fire safety mission

Rasheed Merritt, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at State Farm, said: “Helping people manage the risks of everyday life is a fundamental part of our mission.

“Through our collaboration with NFPA and local fire departments, we are actively getting timely information to the public that can help reduce their risk to home fires.”

The NFPA has led Fire Prevention Week for more than a century, maintaining its role as the official sponsor of the campaign to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.

Further details and resources for this year’s campaign are available at www.fpw.org.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

The NFPA and State Farm partnership directly supports public education efforts that local fire departments depend on during Fire Prevention Week.

Fire safety officers, community risk reduction teams and training coordinators can use the distributed toolkits to improve outreach around lithium-ion battery risks.

Electrical safety specialists and residential fire investigators may also find the campaign’s focus on battery use and charging practices valuable for developing prevention messaging.

By emphasising home-based fire prevention, the campaign offers practical materials for departments seeking to engage residents and reduce domestic fire incidents linked to emerging battery technologies.

Inside the Harlem lithium-ion battery fire: FDNY firefighters relive rescues and Medal Day honours

by AmericasFeatured NewsIncidentsTraining

New FDNY Pro episode covers Harlem fire response

The FDNY Pro podcast has released a new episode on lithium-ion battery fire operations.

In the programme, Battalion Chief Ryan Brito and Firefighter Michael Kotzo recounted their actions at a February 2024 lithium-ion battery fire in Harlem.

The incident occurred in a six-story, non-fireproof apartment building where a battery ignited and spread rapidly through the hallway and stairwell.

The fire created extreme smoke and heat conditions that trapped dozens of residents on the upper floors.

The episode highlights how FDNY companies carried out rescues under near-zero visibility while engines fought to contain the spread.

Backgrounds of the podcast guests

The episode was hosted by Battalion Chief Jason Cascone, who interviewed Brito and Kotzo.

Brito joined the department in 2008, serving in several companies before being promoted to Battalion Chief in 2025.

He was Captain of Ladder 34 at the time of the Harlem fire.

Kotzo entered the FDNY in 2003 and has served in multiple companies, including his current assignment at Ladder 28.

Their backgrounds provided context for the perspectives they brought to the incident.

Inside operations and rescues

During the conversation, Brito explained how Ladder 34 advanced inside the building when fire blocked the stairwell.

Engine 69 stretched a line to hold back the flames, allowing ladder crews to climb and begin searches.

In blackout conditions, Brito located two unconscious civilians in a fourth-floor hallway.

With assistance from other firefighters, they removed both victims despite worsening smoke and heat.

He added that his team re-entered to continue searches in a cluttered apartment, supported by suppression efforts from engine companies.

Roof rescues by Ladder 28

Kotzo described on the podcast how he coordinated roof operations during the fire.

He and his roof partner performed rope rescues after finding civilians trapped at top-floor windows.

One rescue required him to descend with a victim clinging to him, who released his hold mid-descent.

Kotzo bore the victim’s weight until they reached the ground safely.

The discussion noted that Squad 41 also conducted rope rescues, supported by roof guides and ground units treating victims on descent.

Medal Day recognition

The podcast highlighted that six members received medals for actions at the Harlem fire.

Chief Brito was awarded the Henry D. Brookman Medal.

Firefighter Kotzo received the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci Jr. Medal, the FDNY’s highest honour for fire operations.

Other recipients included Firefighter Jason Lopez, Firefighter Matthew Nolan, Firefighter Mark Douglas and Firefighter Dwayne Davis.

Brito and Kotzo said the recognition represented collective company work rather than individual achievement.

Training and culture lessons

The guests stressed during the episode the importance of training and coordination.

They said rope rescues and search techniques are drilled extensively, enabling instinctive action under stress.

They also highlighted the department’s culture of accountability, with crews returning to suppression after rescues were complete.

Both guests described Medal Day as a reinforcement of family pride and collective morale across the FDNY community.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

This podcast episode provides operational insight into lithium-ion battery fire response.

It shows how rapid fire spread in non-fireproof structures can trap residents quickly when doors are left open.

It outlines the value of rope rescue capability in dense urban areas where occupants may be cut off.

It also demonstrates how suppression and rescue functions must be integrated for life safety outcomes.

FDNY Pro podcast highlights lithium-ion battery fire operations: Summary

The FDNY Pro podcast has released a new episode on a lithium-ion battery fire.

The fire occurred on February 23, 2024, in a six-story non-fireproof apartment building in Harlem.

Battalion Chief Ryan Brito and Firefighter Michael Kotzo were featured guests on the episode.

Brito described leading inside searches under heavy smoke and heat.

Kotzo recounted rope rescues from the roof involving multiple trapped civilians.

Six FDNY members later received medals for actions at this incident.

The fire originated from a lithium-ion battery on the third floor.

An open apartment door allowed smoke and fire to spread into the public hall.

Engine companies contained the spread while ladder companies performed rescues.

The episode is hosted by Battalion Chief Jason Cascone.

It also reflects on the guests’ career backgrounds.

The episode aired on August 26, 2025.

The guests emphasised the importance of training for rope rescues and search operations.

They highlighted FDNY’s culture of accountability and collective duty.

The Medal Day 2025 ceremony was described as recognition for both families and firehouses.

The episode provides lessons for handling lithium-ion battery fires in non-fireproof structures.

It outlines the operational challenges and coordination required in such incidents.

It demonstrates integration of suppression and rescue functions.

It outlines the role of rope rescue in dense urban environments.

The FDNY Pro podcast episode is available through FDNY channels.

Altus Fire and Life Safety acquires Star Fire Protection in US Northeast

by AmericasFeatured NewsSafety

Altus acquires Star Fire Protection in regional expansion

Altus Fire and Life Safety has announced the acquisition of Star Fire Protection, according to the company.

Altus stated that the deal would broaden its fire protection service offering across the US Northeast, building on its existing operations in the region.

The company said the acquisition will allow it to reach a wider range of customers with its full suite of fire protection and life safety services.

Bobby Bell, Chief Financial Officer at Altus Fire and Life Safety, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Star Fire Protection to the Altus Fire & Life Safety family.

“We are thrilled to welcome Star Fire Protection to the Altus Fire & Life Safety family.

“This acquisition strengthens our presence in the Northeast and enhances our ability to provide world-class fire safety solutions to our clients.

“Star Fire’s expertise and reputation for quality align perfectly with our mission to deliver best-in-class reliable and comprehensive fire safety services.”

Star Fire Protection’s role in the US market

Altus said Star Fire Protection is a provider of fire alarm solutions with an established presence in the US Northeast.

According to the company, the firm has developed a reputation for quality, reliability and customer service.

It added that the partnership is expected to support employee growth and create opportunities to expand into new markets.

Star Fire Protection will now operate as part of the Altus Fire and Life Safety portfolio.

Strategic benefits for Altus

Altus stated that adding Star Fire Protection will help strengthen its regional operations.

The company said the move forms part of a strategy to provide integrated fire protection and life safety services.

It noted that the combination will allow both firms to leverage their expertise to meet customer needs more effectively.

The company added that this acquisition reflects its focus on enhancing operational capacity in high-demand areas.

Comments from Star Fire Protection leadership

Johnny Ragnanan, representing Star Fire Protection, said: “Altus is the perfect fit for Star Fire.

“Their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction mirrors our own values.

“We’re excited to continue growing together and expanding our reach, ensuring that more businesses and property owners benefit from the highest standard of fire and life safety services.”

Industry context for fire protection acquisitions

Altus noted that acquisitions in the fire protection sector can provide scale advantages and improve service coverage.

It added that regional consolidation can enhance efficiency in servicing commercial, industrial and residential customers.

The company said that combining capabilities in alarm systems, suppression equipment and maintenance services can create broader service packages for clients.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

This acquisition highlights continued consolidation in the US fire protection sector.

For professionals, the integration of service providers can impact competitive dynamics, supply chains and customer expectations.

Those in the sector may find opportunities for collaboration, employment or regional partnership as companies expand their reach through mergers and acquisitions.

Altus Fire and Life Safety expands US Northeast fire protection services with Star Fire Protection acquisition: Summary

Altus Fire and Life Safety has acquired Star Fire Protection.

The acquisition was announced by Altus on 12 August 2025.

Star Fire Protection is a provider of fire alarm solutions in the US Northeast.

Altus said the deal will expand its service reach in the region.

Bobby Bell, CFO at Altus, welcomed Star Fire Protection to the company.

Bell said the acquisition strengthens Altus’s presence in the Northeast.

He added that Star Fire’s reputation for quality aligns with Altus’s mission.

Johnny Ragnanan said Altus was the perfect fit for Star Fire Protection.

He said both companies share values of excellence and customer satisfaction.

Star Fire Protection will operate as part of the Altus portfolio.

Altus said the partnership will create growth opportunities for employees.

It added that the acquisition supports entry into new markets.

The company said the move will enhance fire protection service provision.

The acquisition is part of a wider strategy to build operational capacity.