Flames for Home & Hearth began in 1979 when Bob began doing chimney sweeping and stove installations as "Grand Lake Chimney Sweep" in Grove, Oklahoma. At that time he also spent seven years as a volunteer firefighter and Certified Emergency Medical Technician for the Grove Fire Department. During that time Bob & Sue both served on the Board of Directors of the "Oklahoma Chimney Sweep Guild". Bob was also an active member of the "National Chimney Sweep Guild" and was a "Certified Chimney Sweep" through the "Chimney Safety Institute of America.