Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
NEW OWNERS — David and Debbie Henderson, left, have retired from Maine Fire Prevention Services full-time, while new owners, James and Amanda Folsom, right, have taken over the business. They will be relocating the business from Hodgdon to the North Road in Littleton on Nov. 9.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Maine Fire Prevention Services has new owners and with Oct. 5-11 proclaimed National Fire Safety Week, there is no better time to learn about the business and what it can do for you.
James and Amanda Folsom of Littleton are taking over the reins from David and Debbie Henderson, who started the business May of 1999.
Though many of the services are commercial related, Maine Fire Prevention can provide homeowners with the right tools they need, as well.
“We service, inspect and sell fire extinguishers,” said Amanda. “We can direct people with any type of fire prevention information.”
Homeowners can take advantage of the knowledge of fire safety from electric fireplaces/heaters to pellet and wood burning stoves and such to make sure they are equipped. It is important that built-in fireplaces and wood stoves have protective screens and be inspected before using.
Maine Fire Prevention also services and sells fire suppression systems for restaurants, they install restaurant hood systems and fans and they subcontract for FM200 system installation in server rooms. They travel from Allagash to the Lincoln/Calais area.
“It is a busy little business,” said Dave. “We have 1,200 clients we deal with in the area we cover.”
The Hendersons are pleased that the Folsoms decided to acquire the business.
“We did not want to see some big company buy us out and see Maine Fire Prevention Services swallowed up,” Dave said. “We are really happy they picked it up.”
And, well, the Folsoms did not just jump from the fire into the frying pan.
“From the time we considered buying through the whole process was eight months,” said Amanda. “That is where we did our homework. But now, we have a much better understanding of the ins-and-outs of the business.”
The Hendersons agreed that they would stay on an additional six months after the sale to help the Folsoms transition.
“Amanda and I have spent months going over the bookkeeping and Dave has gone out with James,” said Debbie. “This is a turn-key operation. They had everything they needed. All they had to do was go to work the next day.
“But, we wanted to introduce James to our customers so that the transition would be seamless and they would not lose any customers,” Debbie added. “We are available as consultants and if the work is there, Dave may even work with James a couple of days a week.”
“It was huge for them to stay on,” Amanda added. “We hit the ground running.”
The Hendersons last official day as owners of Maine Fire Prevention Services was May 9.
“It was time,” said Dave of retiring. “They are a really good fit and they will do just fine. Deb and I built it to what it is today and I am sure they will take it to the next level and make the business [grow] even more.”
“We definitely want to keep things running the way they had,” said Amanda. “We like how they have done everything.”
“We want to maintain what they have, but we want to grow, as well,” James added. “We want to stretch our legs.”
The Folsoms went to New York last month and completed training for installation, maintenance and service of Protex 2000 and is certified as an authorized distributor for restaurant kitchen fire extinguishing systems.
“It is a perfect fit,” said Amanda. “The business ties up what you like to do [looking at James] and what I like as well.”
James is a volunteer firefighter for both the Hodgdon and Littleton Fire Departments.
“I have always had an interest in this line of work,” he said. “It is a great opportunity for us.”
The Folsoms have four children and tend to find themselves very busy trying to take in all of the children’s activities.
“This business is flexible for family life,” said Debbie. “James has already taken his oldest son with him.”
“This is a business opportunity for the family, too,” James added.
The only change to the Maine Fire Prevention Services will be when the Folsoms move the business Nov. 9 from Hodgdon to Littleton. They will be working from their home on 1020 U.S. Highway 1.
“They are transforming their garage right now,” Debbie laughed.
Amanda added, “There is a sign there already.”
“They will keep up the same good service we have provided over the years,” Dave said. “Or maybe a step better,” James smiled.
To learn more about Maine Fire Prevention Services call 532-6700. The Folsoms are currently working on a new website. They are open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
