Omlid & Swinney retools with new division, name

SPRINGFIELD, Ore.-Fire installation firm Omlid & Swinney Fire Protection and Security recently underwent a name change, a transition that company officials say better represents the firm and its newly added special hazard fire protection service. The company had been known as Omlid & Swinney Fire Sprinkler Systems for 19 years since its inception under company owners O'Jay Omlid and Steve Swinney. But this fall the company hired three new employees who specialized in special hazard fire suppression systems, giving the company the expertise it needed to enter this field. "We really needed somebody with the expertise," said Omlid, instead of trying to create the special hazard fire suppression division from scratch. Joining the company were Michael Wieder-hold, who manages the division, and Mike Burke and Steve Francalacia, who will support the installation and services for special hazards. The three men bring with them 45 years of combined experience designing and installing chemical-based sprinkler systems. The new service is a good marriage, according to Wiederhold, systems division manager. He said Omlid & Swinney already had established a good reputation with area general contractors, so adding the new service was a natural progression. "Beforehand we would have to decline or subcontract it out," said Omlid about special hazard fire suppression jobs. "It's always better to be able to do the whole package yourself. People like that because they're dealing with one company instead of two or three." Besides installing wet and chemical sprinkler systems, the company also installs fire alarms, CCTV and security systems. The company employs 22 people.