Mountain State Fire Protection: a father’s lessons create success in fire protection industry

Steve Lockwood developed a passion for fire safety while working with his dad who worked as a journeyman pipefitter for a fire fabrication company. The lessons he learned from his father were a springboard for a 30-plus-year career in fire-equipment inspection culminating in his newest venture Mountain State Fire Protection LLC in Phoenix Arizona.

‘I started working with my dad right out of high school at the fabrication site and working with my dad inspired me to stay in this industry,’ Lockwood said. ‘I just loved the idea of being in an industry created to help people and keep them safe.’

Steve’s long history in fire protection has led to success in growing fire-safety businesses. Mountain State Fire Protection is his newest venture that he started in 2020 after some employees from his previous business wanted to work with him on a new venture. The company specializes in fire-equipment inspections for multifamily apartments. Multifamily fire inspection is in high demand due to the mass migration of new residents to Phoenix.

‘Phoenix is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and more people moving here means more apartments being built which means more places that need regular fire safety inspections,’ Lockwood said. ‘As Phoenix grows Mountain State Fire can help more people feel safe in their homes.’

Lockwood said working with multifamily properties is a fantastic space to occupy within the fire-safety industry because homes are an important asset for property owners and the people who live in those apartments. The work requires a more personal touch since you are entering where people live.

‘Multifamily fire-safety inspection creates such a unique dynamic because you are dealing with the needs of both the property owner and the tenant,’ Lockwood said. ‘It isn’t just a job site these are people’s homes so not only do we need to do inspections but we need to do them in ways that are comfortable and convenient to the tenant and property owner.’

The company has grown steadily over the last two years despite opening during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In two short years, Mountain State Fire Protection has grown to eight full-time employees with a fleet of five trucks. The company plans to grow as they continue to bring on new clients.

Lockwood credits the high-quality service Mountain State has become known for to the work ethic his father taught him as a teenager. ‘My father had an old-school work ethic of getting up, getting after it, and getting the job done the first time,’ Lockwood said. ‘That hardworking mentality helps us serve our customers quickly and efficiently.’

Mountain State Fire specializes in multifamily but they provide fire-safety services to all commercial businesses and properties. The company offers compliance checks and repair and inspection services for fire sprinklers, alarms, emergency lights, backflows and hydrants.

For more information on Mountain State Fire Protection, you can find a list of services here www.mountainstatefire.com/services