Waste Pro Chooses AFEX Fire Suppression Systems to Protect Operators and Equipment

Raleigh, NC, USA, September 12, 2025 – Waste Pro, one of the fastest-growing privately owned waste collection, recycling, processing, and disposal companies in the United States, has partnered with AFEX Fire Suppression Systems to enhance safety across its fleet. With thousands of employees and hundreds of vehicles in operation daily, Waste Pro views fire suppression as a critical investment in protecting both operators and communities.

Challenge: Critical Fire Risks at Landfills and Mobile Equipment

Fires at landfill sites present a significant industry safety issue – on average, 8,400 dump and landfill fires are reported annually in the United States. Many of these fires start where heavy equipment works with piles of mixed, combustible waste.

According to Joseph Leamont Jr., Waste Pro’s Corporate Director of Post Collections Fleet and Maintenance, these risks are especially concerning for operators who may not be able to exit their machines quickly enough in the event of a fire. With 25 years of volunteer firefighting experience, Leamont knows the dangers firsthand:

“Operators work surrounded by plastics, batteries, and aerosols, all of which can spark fires that spread in seconds.”

Solution: Rugged, Made-in-the-USA Fire Suppression Systems

Drawing on his firefighting background, Leamont led the search for a dependable fire suppression partner. He prioritized U.S.-manufactured systems with components that could be serviced quickly, a gap that had left Waste Pro assets sidelined in the past.

AFEX fire suppression systems stood out for their rugged reliability, ease of maintenance, and highly responsive distributor network. Just weeks after installation, the choice proved invaluable. An AFEX system detected and extinguished a fire in a Waste Pro machine’s engine compartment before the operator was even aware. The in-cab alarm sounded, the system discharged, and the operator exited safely. Waste Pro’s AFEX distributor arrived promptly to recharge and reset the system, allowing the machine – with only minor damage – to return to service within days.

Impact: Employee Safety, Operational Resilience, and Community Assurance

For Leamont, the results affirm the decision.

“Fire suppression is another layer of protection to make sure our employees make it home safely each day,” said Joseph Leamont Jr. “This investment into safety shows our employees, and our neighbors, that we are committed to their wellbeing. AFEX gives us the confidence that fires will be controlled quickly, with less downtime and greater peace of mind.”

Beyond protecting operators, the systems reduce fire-related environmental and community risks, strengthening Waste Pro’s operational continuity and reputation for safety.

Conclusion

By partnering with AFEX, Waste Pro has reinforced its culture of responsibility and “doing the right thing.” With rugged, U.S.-made fire suppression systems, fast distributor support, and a focus on operator safety, Waste Pro sets a new industry standard for fire protection in waste and recycling operations.

 

For More Information:
Amy Coulter
Marketing Manager
AFEX Fire Suppression Systems
marketing@afexsystems.com