Pro-Tec Fire Services, Inc. was founded in 1974. Since then, so much has changed, yet so much remains the same. Pro-Tec Fire Services is a second-generation family-owned Wisconsin corporation with a culture and passion for security and safety. Our outstanding staff helps make us the largest and most experienced independent aircraft rescue firefighting firm in the country.
We are proud to be celebrating 50 years of providing world class security, fire, and emergency services to airports, airparks, space ports, and aircraft manufacturers in North America. Initially founded as J.J. Security, Inc., our first airport contract was providing private security in the pre-Transportation Security Administration days at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport. At that time, J.J. Security provided security guards, industrial security services, and electronic monitoring systems nationwide. Green Bay area real estate developer and St. Norbert College professor Norman Watermolen became a partner in J.J. Security in 1977, and he became sole proprietor of the business in 1982. Since 1974, under Norman’s vision and guidance, the business evolved into supporting one of the most crucial components of air travel safety: Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF). As the first to offer contracted Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting services, Pro-Tec Fire Services served as pioneers in the groundbreaking market.
Our team members are trained, certified, and equipped to respond to a multitude of incidents involving aircraft of all types. By 1986, we were operating at five airports with a staff of roughly 45 employees. Over the years, we began to provide ARFF training, and airport management services, allowing us to integrate with the airport communities in which we were located. In 2004, we were successful in expanding our business into Canada.
We now employ nearly 400 team members, safeguarding airports of all sizes in two provinces in Canada and 17 U.S. states. Our continued growth and success are a testament to our amazing team members, who protect travelers going through two of Wisconsin’s busiest airports: Appleton International and Green Bay Austin Straubel International. Norman Watermolen took extreme pride in the fact that our company pioneered and led this industry. Since his passing in 2007, our team has worked hard to live up to his expectations and to carry on his legacy.
Our company’s reputation is built on the solid, long-term professional relationships that we’ve worked hard to build along the way. We are proud of the superior performance put forth by our professional staff. Our clearly defined set of core values, code of conduct and mission statement serve as a common base for our employees as well as an objective means for our clients to measure us by.
3433 W. College Avenue • Appleton, WI 54914 • 920-494-8851 • protecfire.com
