About Dalmatian Fire
Dalmatian Fire Equipment,
Inc. is the largest supplier of Self Contained Breathing
Apparatus in North America. Since 1995, Dalmatian has provided
high-quality products and unbeatable prices for volunteer fire
fighting, oil field safety, marine, hazmat applications, mining
and many other industrial uses. In 2002, we
moved our service center and distribution warehouse from Canada
to the United States. Today Dalmatian operates from two large
warehouses in Windsor, Colorado. Canada remains an essential
market for Dalmatian as well as many other countries worldwide.
At Dalmatian Fire Equipment we
buy used breathing equipment, and fully refurbish each unit to
the highest safety standards. Each unit is thoroughly cleaned
and repaired to look and function like new. The cleaning
process includes the use of ultrasonic cleaners, devices that
offer cleaning that is faster, more thorough, and safer than any
other method. This method of cleaning is far more effective than
scrubbing, soaking and steam cleaning. It's powerful enough to
remove heavy oils, waxes, or proteins, penetrating enough to
remove smoke particles from interstitial cracks, yet gentle
enough to clean tiny precision assemblies. Ultrasonic sound
waves moving through a cleaning solution create an effect called cavitation, the rapid formation and implosion of microscopic
bubbles. Heat enhances the process by expanding the materials to
open the surface pores that are filled with smoke and debris
during a fire. The deep-cleaning action of ultrasonics removes
even the most stubborn contaminants.
The refurbishment process also
includes many extensive computerized tests including the Posi-check
testing to OEM specification, and others down to the smallest
detail, such as electromagnetic eddy-testing cylinder threads
for microscopic cracks. Cylinders are tested under DOT license
using hydrostatic testing. Hydrostat testing is done by placing
the cylinders in an explosion-proof containment tube,
surrounding it with water and overfilling it to test integrity
when over-pressurized. Our hydrostatic equipment accurately
measures the tolerances of a cylinder while under pressure, and
after the pressure has been released. If the cylinder does not
meet the required tolerances, it is destroyed.
Each unit is built to order for
the specific customer so that the configuration and options
exactly match the projected use, and so that all tests are new
at the time of shipment. All reconditioned equipment is
covered by Dalmatian's
limited 10 year warranty.
Russ Kates, President
Russ is an experienced businessman, owning
and operating numerous businesses since he graduated with a B.S.
in Business Administration from Colorado State University in
1970. He has many years of experience as an executive in sales,
administration, finance and operations. Russ has personally been
awarded “Person of the Year for 2000” by the American Cancer
Society, “The Hope Award” by the National MS Society and the
“Torch Award for Ethics in Business” by the Better Business
Bureau of Northern Colorado. Russ was the President/CFO of a
$60M chain of supermarkets in Northern Colorado employing more
than 700 employees. During his tenure the company won “1992
Retailer of the Year” for the State of Colorado, presented by
The Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and “1992 In
Store Bakery of the Year” by Bakery Production Magazine and
Retail Bakers of America. His company was voted “Best Grocery
Store” by the Coloradoan Newspaper Readers 16 years in a row.
Russ brings a “customer service” attitude to Dalmatian and is
eager to make a difference filling your firefighting equipment
needs.
Kevin Simmons, CEO
Kevin Simmons comes to Dalmatian Fire Equipment as an
experienced business man who led a dozen small companies during
the past two decades. Educated at Cornell University with a
Masters in Mechanical and Aerospace engineering plus an MBA
focused in finance, Kevin Simmons combines engineering skill
with business acumen to achieve clear business objectives
through careful analysis. In 1993, Kevin founded IntegWare, an international software systems integrator for many
of the world's largest companies. Prior to Kevin's sale of IntegWare in 2004, the company was named one
of the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Colorado 6
years in a row. Before and during the years with IntegWare,
Kevin founded, acquired and/or lead many other businesses, in
the fields of residential construction, small manufacturing,
sales and distribution, seafood processing, advertising and PR,
moving and storage, elevator sales and installation, personal
fire equipment remanufacturing, land development and commercial
real estate speculation. Recently as a cofounder of the private
equity group, Two Talents Venture Management, Kevin contributes
his skills in analysis and the business-of-business to
evaluating many prospective acquisitions. Kevin
brings an attitude of servant leadership and professional management to
Dalmatian.
