Twenty-five years ago, All Hands Fire Equipment was founded with a clear purpose: a passion for safety and an unwavering commitment to those who protect others. Born from a firefighter’s firsthand understanding of the job, the company was created to seek out and provide the highest-quality, most innovative equipment available to firehouses, police departments, transit authorities, and search-and-rescue organizations.

Through years of hard work and determination, All Hands Fire has done exactly that—sourcing hard-to-find, high-performance equipment and earning recognition as a trusted name among fire, police, EMS, military, and industrial professionals nationwide. From our early focus on FDNY-style tools to expanding product lines, launching training programs, and partnering with major departments in areas such as research and development, one constant has guided our journey: a commitment to those who put their lives on the line.

As we celebrate 25 years of All Hands Fire Equipment, we are proud to reflect on where we started, how far we’ve come, and—most importantly—the people who helped us along the way.

Our Roots: Built by a Firefighter, for Firefighters

All Hands Fire Equipment was founded by Donald Colarusso, who became a firefighter in 1987 and continues to serve today. His decades of experience include roles as a fire officer, chief officer, training officer, fire inspector, fire investigator, fire coordinator, and deputy forest fire warden.

This deep, firsthand understanding of emergency response shaped the foundation of the company. Don knew what responders needed in the field—equipment that was practical, reliable, and built for real-world conditions—and that knowledge became the driving force behind All Hands Fire Equipment.

From a Home Office to a Growing Business

In January 2001, All Hands Fire Equipment officially came to life. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a business plan built around a simple idea: sourcing and supplying the best and hardest-to-find specialized tools used by the FDNY and sought after by departments nationwide.

The name “All Hands” comes from the phrase “all hands going to work,” a familiar call to action in firehouses across the country. It was chosen because it reflected both our mission and our mindset from day one.

A Family Business Takes Shape

As word spread and our reputation grew, so did our customer base. Personalized service and a “mom-and-pop” feel became defining parts of who we were—and still are.

In 2002, Don’s brother Scott T. Colarusso joined the company, bringing valuable business and marketing experience that helped guide the next stages of growth. By 2003, additional employees were hired to meet increasing demand.

Opening Our First Storefront

In December 2005, All Hands Fire Equipment opened its first physical storefront at 601 Memorial Drive in Neptune Township, New Jersey. While the building and showroom were modest in size, the enthusiasm and dedication of the team were anything but. Interest from surrounding fire companies continued to grow, as did our vision for the future.

Expanding Space, Expanding Service

By May 2007, the company moved into a larger facility at 506 Atkins Avenue in Neptune, NJ, featuring expanded showroom space, offices, shipping areas, and storage. This move allowed us to showcase more products, support a growing staff, and manage larger shipments.

As sales increased and product lines expanded, our customer base grew beyond the fire service to include police, EMS, military, and industrial professionals. With that growth came a broader geographic reach and a clear focus on long-term planning and future expansion.

Training, Innovation & R&D Partnerships

In May 2014, All Hands Fire Equipment took another major step forward with the move to our current 6,000+ square foot facility at 7 Third Avenue in Neptune City, NJ. This wasn’t just about more space—it was about better serving those who rely on us.

The new facility brought a long-held vision to life, featuring a large training classroom and hands-on training space. These additions reflect our belief that investing in the people who use our equipment is just as important as the equipment itself.

We continue to work closely with major city fire department R&D units, collaborating directly with firefighters to gain frontline insight that drives product improvement and innovation. Every partnership is guided by the same purpose that started this company: making the job safer, smarter, and more effective.

Expanding Our Mission: Public Safety & Frontline Support

By 2022, our continued growth brought a deeper understanding of who we serve. What began with a focus on the fire service naturally expanded into a broader commitment to public safety. All Hands Fire officially evolved to support a wider range of frontline professionals, including tactical teams, EMS, rescue, industrial safety personnel, and military services.

This expansion wasn’t just about adding products—it was about recognizing the shared challenges faced by those operating in high-risk environments and providing both reliable equipment and realistic training to meet those demands.

To further support our customers, All Hands Fire secured State and National contracts, including NJ State Contract, GSA, NYSID (through a nonprofit New York State partnership), and Sourcewell, making purchasing easier and more accessible.

25 Years Later: Where We Are Today

With a larger facility, competitive pricing, expanded inventory, faster shipping, simplified purchasing methods, and a continually growing product line, All Hands Fire Equipment is stronger than ever.

Yet at our core, we remain exactly what we were in 2001: a firefighter-founded, family-run, customer- and service-driven company dedicated to supporting those who protect others.

Thank You to Our Customers & Community

To the departments and agencies who have trusted us over the past 25 years—thank you for your loyalty, friendship, and support. As we look ahead to the next chapter, we do so with pride in how far we’ve come and deep gratitude for the community that made it all possible.

Thank you for being part of our story.