Bear Castle Capital has launched Response Fire Protection, a new company focused on fire and life safety services across Central Texas.
The firm said the platform was created to build a customer-focused and people-driven business model.
Response installs, services, repairs, monitors, tests and inspects fire suppression and life safety systems.
According to the company, it serves a wide customer base that includes mission critical, industrial, healthcare, government, education and commercial markets.
Robert B. Lane, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bear Castle, said the formation of Response reflects the firm’s long ties to the Texas building industry.
Lane said: “We are extremely proud to formally announce the formation of Response Fire Protection.
“We are proud to partner with an exceptional leadership team, most of whom we have known for over a decade and with whom we have previously worked with.
“Response’s founding team are each elite operators with a field-driven philosophy.
“We are confident that Response will become the leading service provider in the Central Texas market.”
Steve Shaffer, Chief Executive Officer of Response Fire Protection, brings over forty years of experience in the fire and life safety services sector.
He previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Endeavor Fire Protection, which was sold to APi Group in 2024.
Before that, he founded and led Impact Fire Services, growing the platform to $70 million in revenue by 2017.
Shaffer said: “Choosing to partner with Bear Castle Capital to form Response Fire Protection was an easy decision for our team.
“Each member of the team not only comes from multi-generational building industry backgrounds, but has decades of operational and managerial experience running many of the most successful multi-billion dollar platforms in the construction services space.
“The Bear Castle team has unparalleled networks in the building industry.
“After also having worked with the team for years, the Bear Castle team’s focus on respect for the field and people development is simply unmatched.
“I could not be more excited for our future together.”
Justin Kuhlman, President of Response Fire Protection, has worked in the Texas fire and life safety industry for two decades.
He previously served as General Manager for Impact Fire Services’ Central Texas operations.
Kuhlman said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Bear Castle Capital as we seek to become the best fire protection service provider in Texas.
“We are on a mission to not only be the very best FLS operator, but also be the very best place to work for our employees.
“Bear Castle’s access to growth capital, talent resources and deep industry relationships will allow us to dramatically accelerate our growth.”
Jennifer F. Fish, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Bear Castle, commented on the company’s collaboration with Response’s leadership team.
Fish said: “Bear Castle Capital is grateful for the opportunity to partner with one of the elite management teams in the industry to create the leading FLS services provider in Texas.
“We are off to a lighting fast start and look forward to creating a differentiated experience for our customers, along with providing meaningful development and growth opportunities for our employees.”
The launch of Response Fire Protection represents an expansion of private investment in the US fire and life safety services market, with a focus on Central Texas.
The company’s operational model, covering installation, service, repair, testing and monitoring, highlights an integrated approach that may influence regional standards in fire protection contracting.
For facility managers and compliance officers in industrial, healthcare, education and commercial sectors, the establishment of Response could increase options for service provision and long-term system maintenance.
The involvement of experienced executives with prior leadership at major platforms such as Impact Fire Services and Endeavor Fire Protection demonstrates continued consolidation and growth within the fire and life safety industry.
