About FEI

Fire Equipment Inc. was originally founded as Lux Fire Equipment in 1928 by Harold Deever, an entrepreneur who recognized the need for fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems in Boston’s industrial sector. In 1946, the company was incorporated under its current name, Fire Equipment Inc., to reflect its expanding services.

By the 1960s, the company was positioned as one of the top fire protection companies in New England, thanks to its expertise in both sales and service. Russell Murphy, who had joined the business in the late 1960s, quickly rose through the ranks, bringing innovation and a new vision that would lay the foundation for FEI’s future growth.

Russell A. Murphy, the founder of Fire Equipment Inc., started as a manufacturer’s representative for FyrFyter Corporation, selling fire extinguishers to distributors throughout New England. In 1969, Russell took ownership of Fire Equipment Inc. and relocated the company from Cambridge to his hometown of Medford, MA. The company soon established itself as a key player in the fire protection market, specializing in portable fire extinguishers, CO2 systems, and early iterations of restaurant fire suppression systems.

During this time, FEI took advantage of the burgeoning high-tech industry in New England, offering the latest in fire protection technology to growing industries such as electronics manufacturing, telecommunications, and computer systems. The company was also among the first in the region to install Halon 1301 systems, which were revolutionary in the protection of sensitive equipment.

In 1974, R. William Murphy, son of FEI founder Russell Murphy, joined the company as a shop technician. His passion for fire protection and commitment to the family business propelled him through the ranks. Over the years, Bill played a pivotal role in the company’s rapid expansion, especially with the introduction of Halon fire suppression systems, which positioned FEI as a leader in clean agent fire suppression.

By the mid-1980s, under Bill’s leadership, FEI was installing an average of 200 Halon and CO2 systems annually, serving clients with high-value assets such as computer rooms and industrial facilities. In 1996, Bill became President of FEI, working closely with his father to manage the business and prepare for the eventual transition to the next generation. During this time, the company grew from a modest operation to a regional leader with over 20 employees, driven by a reputation for quality service and technical expertise.

In 2007, Brian Murphy became the first member of the third generation to join the family business. Shortly after, his siblings Douglas Murphy and Kerryn Murphy Dowling also joined the company. Their contributions introduced modernized operational practices, new technologies, and improved business processes, enabling FEI to scale operations while maintaining the same family-oriented service. Under their leadership, FEI has seen substantial growth in sales, infrastructure, and service offerings.

In 2013, FEI moved its headquarters to 20 Hall Street in Medford, MA, a state-of-the-art facility built to accommodate the company’s growing needs. Today, Brian Murphy serves as President and CEO, Douglas Murphy is Vice President of Business Development, and Kerryn Murphy Dowling leads as Director of Customer Service. Their vision for the future continues to drive FEI’s success, with a focus on innovation, customer service, and employee development.

The past decade has been a period of significant growth for FEI through the strategic acquisition of specialty fire protection companies. These acquisitions allowed us to broaden our reach, expand our service offerings, and better serve our customers throughout New England. Key acquisitions include:

• 2016: Fire & Safety Engineering (Holden, MA), New England Fire & Safety (West Springfield, MA)
• 2017: Ralph J. Perry (Hyannis, MA), leading to the opening of our Hyannis, MA office
• 2019: Tri-State Fire Protection (Smithfield, RI), which expanded our footprint in Rhode Island and Western Massachusetts with new offices in Smithfield and Agawam
• 2020: Canco Sprinklers (Cape Cod, MA), enhancing our capabilities in fire sprinkler systems
• 2021: New England Security & Technology (Granby, MA), Eagle Fire Protection (Peabody, MA), General Fire Extinguishers (Taunton, MA), opening offices in Taunton and Worcester, MA
• 2023: Opening Hooksett, NH office
• 2024: Opening eight office in Westford, MA; Metro-Swift Sprinkler acquisition; and Taunton office moved to Easton, MA

This expansion cemented our ability to provide end-to-end fire protection services to a diverse array of clients, ranging from hospitals and educational institutions to large commercial properties.