Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc is a major United States distributor of fire and emergency apparatus and equipment. Ten-8 currently employs over 80 people. The company represents many major brands including Pierce, Braun, Medtec, Frontline, Firecom Communications, MSA, TNT Rescue Systems, Elkhart Brass, Akron Brass and Fire-Dex to name a few. These companies manufacture items such as fire hose and fittings, turn out gear, hand tools, scene lighting equipment, hydraulic rescue equipment, breathing air apparatus, various types of firefighting vehicles, and ambulances. Ten-8 has sales and service centers in Forsyth, Georgia; Sanford, Florida; DeFuniak Springs, Florida; Pompano Beach, Florida; and Bradenton, Florida which serves as the corporate headquarters. The service centers are equipped with paint booths, pump testing facilities, and fabrication machinery. Founder and CEO of Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc, Donald Bouwer, started the business in the early 1970s as Don Bouwer Fire & Safety Equipment. As the company grew and developed relationships with a number of major suppliers of emergency equipment, the company was incorporated under the name of Ten-8 Fire Equipment., Inc. in 1985. The company name was developed from a standard code system that police, fire and emergency personnel use for radio communication. The code "10-8" means "In Service." Ten-8s motto is "In Service To Serve You." Ten-8 prides itself on being a company of integrity, and its employees pride themselves in servicing their customers after the sale. The company policy has always been that all of its employees commit themselves to honesty, fairness, and reliability. (left to right) Dann Bouwer - President, Don Bouwer - CEO, Mark Jones - Vice President Founder and CEO of Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc, Mr. Bouwer began his career in the fire service in 1956 as a firefighter for Cedar Hammock Fire Department in Bradenton, Florida. During his 25 years with Cedar Hammock, Bouwer served as firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, Fire Commissioner, and County Fire Coordinator. His entire 25 years with the Fire Department was done as a volunteer. In the early 1970s, while still in the fire service, Bouwer started his business, Don Bouwer Fire & Safety Equipment, selling firefighting apparatus and equipment. The company later changed its name to Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc Mr. Bouwer developed loyal relationships with suppliers and customers to grow the business to what it is today. Throughout the decades, Bouwer and Ten-8 received countless awards for excellence in sales and service from its various vendors. Mr. Bouwer, son of Don Bouwer, began working for the company in 1985. After meeting with numerous loose equipment suppliers and developing strong sales partnerships, the equipment division was born. Bouwer secured the companys exclusive distributorship of Holmatro rescue tools and worked to grow that aspect of the companys business. In addition, Bouwer has played a crucial role in the growth of the parts and service division. Bouwer also had an apparatus sales territory in which he received several sales achievement awards. Mr. Jones joined the company in 1986 as a sales representative covering Southeast Florida. As the sales territory grew and the companys sales elevated, Jones attained the role as company Vice President and joined the Bouwers at the corporate headquarters to manage the companys growing sales division. In addition to leading the ten apparatus sales representatives at Ten-8, Jones plays a crucial role in the companys strategic planning and growth. he has served on several new product development committees with Pierce manufacturing to help develop some of the most sophisticated and advanced apparatus available today. Jones also manages and maintains key customer accounts including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. To meet the customers vast requirements, Jones works closely with key personnel to ensure that they receive apparatus and equipment of the hi