Q&A with Keith Emmarson, Deficiency Estimator / Suppression Service Sales
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.
Keith Emmarson is a Deficiency Estimator specializing in Suppression Service Sales at PSI in Portland, Oregon. His career began in the military, where he served as a Combat Engineer in the Army National Guard. This experience instilled in him a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety—qualities that seamlessly translated into the fire protection industry.
Keith’s dedication to safety and customer service earned him the company-wide Customer Service Award for Oregon in 2022. His journey highlights the many different paths into fire and life safety and the opportunities for growth within the industry.
Keith’s Career Timeline at PSI:
- April 2022: Fire Sprinkler Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Technician
- April 2022: Earned the Oregon backflow license
- May 2022: Earned licensing for ICC kitchen hoods
- May 2022: Passed OSHA 30
- August 2022: Passed NICET I, Water-Based Systems
- October 2022: Awarded PSI’s Company-Wide Customer Service Award
- July 2023: Earned Washington backflow tester license
- June 2024: Passed NICET II, Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems
- February 2025: Fire Life Safety Deficiency Estimator specializing in Suppression Service Sales
What brought you to the fire and life safety industry?
When I was a young lad, I joined the Army National Guard. When I got out, I wanted to be a firefighter, but didn’t end up going that route. My wife had worked in the fire and life safety industry, and that’s how I got into it. So, I did end up as a firefighter, but on the preventative side.
How did you learn to become successful in your position?
I took the lead from a lot of the people who have been in the industry for a long period of time. I found that getting as much licensing, experience, and technical training as possible was an excellent way to get familiar with all the disciplines and quickly build knowledge. So, I took every training and licensing opportunity that was available to me and kept setting new professional goals for myself to work toward.
Why do veterans’ experiences transition well to the fire and life safety industry?
It's a service position. I think as a veteran, you want to serve. Just as in the military, fire and life safety is a service job where you're trying to protect people and property. The aspect of service between both of these two lines of work goes hand in hand.
What has kept you at PSI for 4 years?
It's a family-oriented place to work, and I really enjoy the people that I work with.
It’s a bigger company in the fire and life safety industry, but it still feels like a small company.
Working in the Portland office, you have access to senior leaders in the company, and they make themselves available to you. They’re very personable and approachable, and I really like that.
What support for career development have you received at PSI?
I have received a tremendous amount of support for professional development. My managers have all been very supportive and have given me the necessary tools to succeed. With regards to licensing and training, my managers have all helped me to find ways to achieve my goals.
Looking forward, what are your long-term aspirations?
I would like to just stay with PSI for the rest of my career. And to continue being successful in my current and future positions. At this point, I want to continue to grow, develop my skills, and help make PSI the best place to work in the fire and life safety industry.
What would you say to someone considering joining the fire and life safety industry?
It's an extremely rewarding career. You get to see the work that you do in action a lot of times, protecting people and property. This industry has a rewarding aspect of knowing that what you're doing is actually making a difference in your community, in saving lives and property.
If you apply yourself and work hard, you will succeed in achieving your goals. Working at PSI in particular has been amazing for my career. The people here have been very supportive in helping me reach my goals. PSI is like a big family that cares about each other. My colleagues put in the time and effort to develop relationships, and they want to see you succeed.
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?
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