Koorsen Fire & Security

The history and size of Koorsen

The company got its start in 1946, run from the family garage by Robert Stroup and his wife. It went by Indiana Fire Prevention and Service Company, and its job was servicing fire extinguishers. Jane, their daughter, and her husband George Koorsen assumed control in 1954. The name comes from that. Its history page says the yellow trucks first appeared in 1963.

In 1984 Randy Koorsen took over as president and gave the company the name Koorsen Protection Services. He expanded it to cover 6 states. He expanded into security work, sprinklers, and custom fire suppression. It adopted its current name in 2004 to reflect that broader range of services. Its home page now shows a staff of over 1,500, and the firm calls itself one of the nation's top five in fire and security.

Koorsen fire and security services

Fire suppression, fire alarms, fire sprinklers, and fire extinguishers are all listed on the home page. Underground service work, fire training, and kitchen hood systems are also part of what it offers. Door access control and video cameras cover theft and entry protection. Koorsen also operates sister companies in building maintenance and construction.

Koorsen reports that its technicians are factory trained and NICET certified. NICET is a national credential for technicians who work on fire alarms and sprinklers. The company also states that it carries full insurance and bonding. Local rules set when tests happen, so talk with the fire marshal in your area (the AHJ, the authority having jurisdiction).

What areas does Koorsen serve?

Branches in 5 states are listed on its locations page. Indiana has the largest number, spanning Indianapolis and Fort Wayne to South Bend and Evansville. After that comes Ohio, whose cities include Cincinnati and Cleveland. Its Kentucky branches are in Lexington and Louisville. For Tennessee, the branch is in Nashville; for Alabama, it's in Huntsville.

Its first entry into Michigan was announced in a company blog post in 2017. The company purchased Northern Fire & Security in Traverse City and Central Fire Protection in Mount Pleasant. Michigan is absent from the current locations page, though those shops stayed on as branches under their original names. Ask the nearest office if it covers your area when you're close to a state line.

The headquarters fire museum

Inside its training center, Koorsen maintains a fire museum. Fire extinguishers going back to 1789 are part of the display, which the museum page says is the personal collection of Randy Koorsen, a former owner. There's no charge to visit. You can request a guided tour.

What to ask before signing a contract

Asking a few simple questions now can prevent headaches later.

• Find out the NICET level and field held by the tech who'll work on your job. That level ought to line up with your system.
• Check whether a single visit can handle all your fire equipment. The fewer trips it takes, the less time you spend letting techs in.
• Find out what each visit's report contains. A fire marshal check is easier to get ready for when notes clearly say pass or fail.
• Ask about how kitchen hood service fits with your hood cleaning. Scheduling both together keeps your Ansul system visit easy.
• If an alarm or sprinkler breaks after hours, ask what the urgent repair process is. If trouble begins, knowing the steps now will help.

Account questions for current customers

Koorsen Fire & Security isn't connected to fireprotectionhub.com. If you need help with an account, billing, or a service visit, go to its contact page. To compare quotes, look at other fire protection companies serving your area.