About Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection
Your Trusted Life Safety Partner since 1933

From the basement of a rental property in Allentown to three offices and over 200 employees, the growth of Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection is one of the great Lehigh Valley success stories. Now 90 years later, with 100 service vehicles on the road servicing thousands of customers across the tri-state area, Kistler O’Brien is known as a leader in the life safety industry.

All these decades after its start on 15th and Chew Street, Kistler O’Brien is widely recognized as being at the forefront of the fire protection business, but it was the organization’s willingness to take the lead that led them to the success they now experience on City Line Road. George Kistler Sr. started the business by selling and servicing fire extinguishers with the help of just a few City of Allentown firefighters working with him on a part-time basis. Then in the 1960s, the organization started on a track that would catapult them to a regional powerhouse in life safety.

Over the years Kistler O’Brien’s mission has remained the same: advancing life safety in the workplace. What began with just fire extinguishers now includes full capabilities with other fire protection equipment such as fire alarm and suppression systems. Our life safety experts provide streamlined commercial fire protection services in the tri-state area.

As the trusted life safety partner in the mid-Atlantic region, Kistler O’Brien’s team of over 200 employees working from three regional offices are prepared to protect the people and property of any sized business. The organization has seen tremendous growth in under various leaders from George Kistler Sr., to George W. Kistler, Jr., and now under Eric Blasser. Despite the organization’s growth, the values remain the same from 1933 with the same guiding principle that was echoed from Kistler, Jr., “If you are going to do it, do it right.

Our Work Makes Your Work Safer

Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection is your local, commercial, fire protection provider. We offer streamlined fire protection services to businesses throughout the Tri-State Area. With offices in Bethlehem, Reading and Paoli, Pennsylvania, Kistler O’Brien proudly services over 10,000 businesses within the region.

By choosing “KOB” as your life safety partner, you can expect uncompromising service standards. We are dedicated to offering the best in the business, to help protect your employees and your property from a worst-case scenario and to keep you in compliance. We understand that our work makes your work safer, so you can expect the level of service to be top quality from a team ingrained with integrity.

Additionally, we pride ourselves on being the most reliable fire protection company during an emergency. It is all hands-on deck when one of our customers needs our assistance and time is of the essence. Our factory-trained and industry-certified technicians are available 24/7 to respond immediately and effectively.

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Fire Safety Training Center - Kistler O'Brien Fire Protection

George W. Kistler Jr. Training Center

Expert Fire Protection Training for Technicians, Employees and Fire Protection Professionals

Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection values its people and encourages continuous education. Our state-of-the-art training facility can house ongoing, hands-on instruction for our technicians and employees, but is available for use by other professionals in the fire protection industry.

Our Training Center

The George W. Kistler, Jr. Training Center is located at our corporate headquarters in Bethlehem, PA. Kistler O’Brien regularly hosts training sessions for local Authority Having Jurisdiction and Code Officials. The training center can accommodate 40 people at tables (up to 60 people with additional fee) and is equipped with a 150-inch diagonal screen, wireless internet access, electrical hookups, a full AV system and a mic set.

Interested In Hosting A Meeting At Our Facility?

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Kobe The Mascot - Kistler O'Brien Fire Protection

KOBe – The Mascot

KOBe (Ko-bee) is part of the Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection family! This large fire extinguisher is the official mascot of Kistler O’Brien. He is here to help support and promote life safety in the workplace with you! KOBe is available for special appearances.

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Through The Years

1933

Founded by George W. Kistler Sr.

1964

Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection became one of the first in the region to install an automatic suppression system in the ventilation of commercial cooking operations.

MID-1960S

Installed first CO2 Suppression System.

1969

Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection was the first in the Mid-Atlantic region to install Halon 1301 fire suppression system, which could safely suppress a fire without causing more damage to the equipment.

MID-1970S

Became a Fenwal Explosive System distributor.

1975

George W. Kistler Sr. turned the presidency over to his son, George W. Jr.

1976

Became a Pyrotronics Fire Alarm Distributor.

1987

Kistler O’Brien worked with DuPont Senior Engineering Designer to develop an extended release Halon 1301 system for gloveboxes at Savannah River Plant.

1992

Kistler O’Brien joined the Vehicle Suppression System game as we installed our first Offroad Vehicle System.

1994

We began Sprinkler System inspection, testing and maintenance & Foam Sprinkler System commissioning.

1999

Kistler O’Brien opens the Reading, Pa. location. This office is currently located at 101 Blair Avenue, Reading Pa.

2007

Kistler O’Brien opens the West Chester, Pa. location. This office is currently located at 210 Carter Drive, Unit 5A, West Chester.

2010

Installed our first nitrogen generator system (protect dry & preaction system piping from internal corrosion).

2017

Installed our first water mist system.

2019

Introduced Kistler O’Brien’s Company Mascot, “KOBe” at the Lehigh Valley IronPigs’ Opening Night.

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Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection is available 24/7 for emergency service.
Contact us today to better protect your people and property!