CAMPBELL FIRE PROTECTION KEEPS THE VILLAGE SAFE AND SOUND
By Kevin T. Czerwinski
Joe Duffy doesn't own a restaurant in the Village, he doesn't cut hair nor does he sell hardware or carpeting. Yet, you could make a good argument that Duffy is perhaps one of the most important businessmen Suffern has.
Duffy is the owner of Campbell Fire Protection, which is located across the street from the train station and on the hill above the little league fields on the Village's western end. He's a little bit out of the way, which may contribute some to his anonymity. But when it comes to keeping the Village safe, there are few more valuable than Duffy.
Campbell Fire Protection sells, services, refills and tests fire extinguishers in addition to putting in sprinkler and alarm systems. They have nearly 6,000 clients throughout the tri-state area and their impact is particularly significant in Suffern, where Campbell services many of the small business and homes but also cares for the fire prevention services at Avon, Good Samaritan Hospital, Novartis and the Salvation Army.
"It's a hidden trade," said Duffy, who will turn 51 next month. "It used to be that people didn't think about this stuff. But you have to get all your service done known because of insurance and safety regulations. I guess I'm like a guy no one sees. Like I said, it's a hidden trade.
"We have customers in New York City, Westchester County, Bergen County, Orange County and up into Sullivan County. And we have many customers right here in Suffern. Not only the mom and pop places but the big companies, too."
Duffy has owned the company for 13 years, having purchased it from the former owner and founder. Campbell Fire Protection has been in Suffern since 1937, starting out in the Campbell house and then later on Orange Avenue before moving to its current location in Sixties.
While Duffy has owned the business for more than a dozen years, it wasn't until recently that he expanded on the property, building a large warehouse and offices about a year ago.
"The old building was kind of dilapidated so we bought the additional property," Duffy said. "They wanted to build a parking garage here but the people who live on this end of town voted that down so that was good for me.
"It's good because being in Suffern is a major benefit for me. First of all, we've been here so long. We are mainstays in the Village. And we're located near all the highways and we're very centrally located."
Duffy began his career in the fire service industry while he was living in California. He was working out of the back of van when he had an opportunity to buy a franchise from a company called Firemaster. He eventually purchased a branch in New Jersey and was working there when he learned that Campbell was planning on liquidating her assets.
After getting to know Campbell, Duffy worked out a deal to purchase the company and has since helped it grow immeasurably. He never, however, gave any thought to changing the company's name.
"They started here in 1937," Duffy said. "They've been here a long time and have been on this property for about 50 years. And everyone knows this is the name in fire protection. I think we're the oldest company doing this in the county. So it was a good idea to keep the same name."
Duffy says he enjoys his job as well as the 15 people with whom he works. His wife of 16 years, Geralyn, works for Campbell but his daughters [Angela, 23, and Christie, 13] haven't shown any interest. That's okay, though, because he has no plans on retiring any time soon.
"Of course I'd rather be out playing golf but I enjoy what I'm doing," Duffy said. "It's not just a job."
No, it's not, even if some folks take what Duffy does for granted.
Free two-hour parking is available on the street in the Village while the Parking Authority's lots are free for three hours. The Suffern Train Station lot is across the street from Campbell and no permit is required when parking after 10 a.m.