BELLEFONTE - Dottie and Larry Swartz started Swartz Fire and Safety over 33 years ago with only those two as employees. Today, they have over 12 employees and a fleet of trucks to service their clients.
Swartz Fire and Safety, located in Bellefonte, serves Centre County and the surrounding area. This past spring it expanded its service area to Lock Haven and the surrounding community when it bought the fire and safety division of Flores Welding and Supply in Lock Haven.
Swartz Fire and Safety started by servicing and selling fire extinguishers and other fire safety items. Today, it installs cooking hoods in restaurants in addition to work in commercial buildings.
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Swartz Fire and Safety has several service vehicles at its location in Bellefonte. It has recently expanded its coverage to include the Lock Haven area.
The addition of Flores added to the staff of Swartz, which now has a truck in the Lock Haven area almost every day and offers 24-hour service.
The Swartzes said they are afraid some of Flores clients may have fallen through the cracks in the transition and hope they will be able to find them and resume service for them. In collecting the records from Flores and moving them over to Swartz' system there is a chance a few didn't make it on the list from Flores.
For those who don't have time to service their fire extinguishers in their house, they can drop them off at GTS Welding Service and Swartz will pick them up.
Dottie is president of the corporation while Larry is secretary and in charge of the facilities and manager of Swartz Fire and Safety. Thirty-three years later the public can still find both at their location on the corner of Bishop and Wilson streets in Bellefonte. They have a strong work ethic and pass that along to all of their employees.
They say they are excited about working with the people in the Lock Haven area and encourage the public to call them toll-free at 800-214-9055 if they are in need of service.
Dottie and Larry are also very involved in their community and in their church. Their names can also be found on various committees and turn out at many community functions.
They said they wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and encourage people to check their fire extinguishers to make sure they are up to date, in addition to checking all smoke and fire alarms to ensure they have working batteries.
