Who We Are
We are experienced professionals with extensive knowledge in: Fire Apparatus sales & design; specification compliance review; quality assurance standards; preventative maintenance/service items; customer budgetary requirements; manufacturers’ responsibilities & obligations; used fire apparatus evaluations and apparatus in-service training.
Fireground Hydraulics and operations on all major brands and designs of firefighting nozzles and master stream appliances including deck guns, portable monitors and personal monitors. Experienced in the use and training of class A and class B foam eductors and proportions.
We understand the customer’s position because we have been customers and firefighters. Our broad knowledge of manufacturing is based on our positions with major fire apparatus and equipment manufacturers. We have gained experience as a local dealer/distributor selling equipment, apparatus, preventative maintenance services and commercial chassis sales. We have acquired knowledge on the manufacturing side as we have held positions with major fire apparatus and equipment manufacturers utilizing a wide variety of materials and construction techniques. Our advice and guidance is a combination of knowledge from all three areas of the industry: fire service, fire equipment dealer/retail and fire equipment and apparatus manufacturing.
With over 25 years of industry experience, we are the most comprehensive and experienced consultants and can tailor a program to any need or budget.
Mission Statement
- New Fire Apparatus Specification Guidance/Preparation
- Fire Apparatus Quality Assurance & Factory Inspections
- Fire Apparatus In Service Training
- Used Fire Apparatus Evaluations
- Vendor Proposal Evaluations
- Proper Use of Handline Nozzles and Master Stream Appliances
- Proper Use of Class A and Class B Foam proportioning devices
The Owner
Jim Lyons
Jim Lyons has more than 25 years of proven experience in the firefighting industry. This considerable experience has provided him with expertise in: custom fire apparatus specification, design, quality assurance inspections and conducting in-service training. Additionally he is well versed in: fire streams management with both smooth bore and traditional fog nozzles, master stream monitors, portable ground monitors and class A & B Foam Eductors. Based on his experience in establishing and managing businesses, he advises fire equipment and apparatus companies in the areas of: marketing, sales, department operations and product training.
Jim has worked with some of the most iconic companies in the American fire service including: Akron Brass, American LaFrance, LTI, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, SVI Rescue Trucks & Sutphen Fire Apparatus.
Jim is a member of many fire service organizations including: Suffolk County (NY) Volunteer Firefighters Assn; Connecticut Fire Equipment Mechanics Assn. and Connecticut Fire Chiefs Assn. He is past President of the New England Fire Equipment Exhibitors Assn. and past board member of the New England Assn. of Fire Chiefs.
For several years, Jim has seen that fire departments needed a knowledgeable consultant with a broad background and hands-on experience…a seasoned professional who is not affiliated with an apparatus or equipment manufacturer. In February 2015 Jim founded J. Lyons Fire Consultants, LLC. Jim is offering his knowledge of fire apparatus sales & design; specification compliance review; quality assurance inspections; preventative maintenance/service items; customer budgetary requirements; manufacturers’ responsibilities & obligations; used fire apparatus evaluations and apparatus in-service training to better assist fire departments, companies and municipal agencies charged with buying fire apparatus and equipment.
Jim entered the fire service at the age of 17 with the Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Department on Long Island. He successfully completed Firefighter I & II courses, as well as many specialized classes including Engine Company Operations, Hazmat Awareness, Structural Firefighting, etc… at his local County Fire Academy. He successfully completed officer-training classes at the New York State Academy of Fire Science and was then elected to the position of Company Lieutenant. Jim is a nationally certified Fire Service Instructor-I (FSI) and holds EVT-F2 certification, “Design & Performance Standards of Fire Apparatus”.
Jim is a firefighter first. He is a third generation of family firefighters. With roots established in the Hamlet of Brookhaven, on eastern Long Island, Jim’s grandfather was a founding member of Brookhaven Fire Department. Jim had five uncles in the department, two of them also serving as Chief of the department. Jim’s Father was his inspiration and mentor. Like his grandfather, Jim’s father was promoted upward, through the ranks, and held the office of Chief of the department and then went onto serve as Fire Commissioner for 25 years. He additionally held positions with the Brookhaven Town Fire Chiefs council and with the Suffolk County Department of Emergency Services as a Deputy Fire Coordinator. The Lyons family is very rooted in the fire service as Jim’s grandfather, Robert Lyons Sr. donated the land where the existing fire Headquarters is located today.