Ken Burton

Ken Burton

My work experience with fire trucks started in 1977 working for Van Pelt Fire Trucks, which was later bought by FMC. I began my career working in the body shop fabricating fire truck bodies. After about six months, my brother John was transferred to the body shop after a big layoff took place at the plant and this was the beginning of what was known as the Burton Brothers. To me, this was some of my best times, working next to my brother John.

Our MOTTO was work hard and have fun. We worked together for a few months until production started going strong again and then we worked in different departments of the plant. Finally, I was transferred to the Service Department which was the goal I worked hard for. As I gained experience working in the Service Department, I began to deliver the fire apparatus, and provided necessary training to fire department personnel.

When FMC announced they were closing the Van Pelt Plant, I had the opportunity to stay working for FMC as the West Coast Service Manager. This lasted for about one year. Later myself and two other FMC employees, and one additional person formed an FMC dealer company for a couple of years.

On January 11th 1991, my brother John and I started our own business Burton’s Fire Apparatus, now Burton's Fire, Inc., which continues to grow.

My wife and I keep ourselves busy with our daughters, their husbands, and our grandchildren Logan and London.