Q&A with Julian Halbirt, Fire Sprinkler Inspector
At Performance Systems Integration (PSI), every team member has taken a different path that has led them to the fire and life safety industry. Career Path Stories features PSI team members sharing their professional journeys and how they arrived at their chosen career.
Julian Halbirt is a Fire Sprinkler Inspector with PSI in Portland, OR. He has his NICET II certification, a Portland COF in sprinklers and extinguishers, and an Oregon backflow certification. His career began in Naval Aviation, where he served for six years as a C-130T Naval Aircrewman. The focus on discipline, precision, and the ability to think quickly, both on the ground and in the air, provided by the Navy greatly helped Julian find a home in the fire and life safety (FLS) industry.
Julian’s Career Timeline at PSI:
- September 2023: Hired as Fire Sprinkler Inspector
- June 2024: Obtained NICET II certification
- June 2024: Completed Oregon Backflow certification
What brought you to the fire and life safety industry?
I ended up in this industry on a whim. After I got out of the Navy, a friend in the fire life safety industry suggested I apply to an open fire sprinkler inspector position at his company. He explained the role to me, and I thought it was a good fit. I applied, got the job, and have been in the fire and life safety industry for over three years now.
How have you learned to become successful in your role?
While working as a Naval Aircrewman, there was an acronym, CRM (Crew Resource Management), that I would follow closely in my everyday life. CRM is a safety-oriented training program focused on optimizing human performance and teamwork in high-risk environments. The key principles for CRM are decision making, assertiveness, mission analysis, communication, leadership, adaptability/flexibility, and situational awareness. The guidance from CRM has been crucial for my success in this industry.
Another resource I utilize is my peers. If I don't know or don’t understand, I ask a colleague. At PSI, I’m surrounded by a bunch of people who know what they're doing. I love to learn from my coworkers because it gives me a different perspective on how to accomplish my tasks and look at a problem through a different lens. I observe what they do, listen, and learn the techniques they use.
I also, of course, study FLS source material and standards. I studied NFPA 25 a lot, especially for my NICET certifications. I’m a hands-on learner. I feel very grateful to have a lot of amazing coworkers and mentors in this field to learn from. I owe it to them for where I am today.
Why do veterans’ experiences transition well to the fire and life safety industry?
The discipline and organization of the military help a lot. In the military, you're put in a bunch of different scenarios, and you must have the discipline and focus to get the job done. My experience in the Navy helped me learn to think on my feet, which has helped me tremendously in this role.
This job also has so many regulations and codes involved. My experience in the Navy required that I frequently review different publications and had to learn how to comprehend a variety of codes and regulations. This is a key skill for fire and life safety.
What support for career development have you received at PSI?
PSI supported me when pursuing certifications—paying for the course and the test. That support is awesome. It’s ultimately up to the individual to take advantage of this benefit. If a person has the motivation to grow and learn and get better at their job, PSI will help you get there.
Looking forward, what are your long-term aspirations?
I do like this career field, and I want to spend my career in the Fire Protection career field—whether that’s in a manager role or using my GI Bill to get a degree in fire prevention or engineering. If I stay on the fire sprinkler systems path, there are a lot of growth opportunities available there, too. I like FLS, I’m good at it, and I fit well with the team.
What would you say to someone who is considering getting into the fire and life safety industry?
The fire and life safety industry is a nice little secret. I didn't know anything about it prior to me being in the industry, but I love it. It’s a tight-knit group of people—folks know each other across companies. It’s a stable, challenging, and rewarding career. The roles are hands-on and constantly evolving to keep you on your toes. The opportunities for growth are endless, and the results are so satisfying because what we do in fire prevention is so important.
What would you say to someone considering applying for a position at PSI?
I can speak for a role in the sprinkler team. Our team has so much knowledge and a lot of very experienced team members—it provides tremendous learning opportunities. The team has also afforded me a lot of patience.
It has been a great experience, and there is unlimited potential to grow, not only with professional certifications, but PSI promotes from within. Several coworkers at PSI have climbed the ladder and have had the opportunity to try different roles. Like I said earlier, the professional possibilities here are endless.
Want to learn more about the opportunities at PSI?
Contact careers@PSIntegrated.com if you have any questions or comments regarding career opportunities.
Ready to join an industry with purpose?
Explore the open roles at Performance Systems Integration—offering competitive pay, benefits, and industry-leading focus on training and development. Work with a supportive team while you make a difference in protecting people and property.
