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.
Ryan Scott is a Deficiency Estimator at PSI in Portland, OR. His career began in the Navy, where he served for four years and worked as a Damage Controlman. Ryan’s commitment to safety, accountability, and a strong work ethic helped him transition seamlessly into fire and life safety.
Initially, I had no knowledge or interest in fire and life safety. It was a field that I tested into because of my mechanical aptitude. I held a shipboard firefighting position while in the Navy and gained experience in system testing and maintenance while on ships. Fire and life safety was an entirely new industry to me. When I got out of the Navy and into the civilian world, it was a smooth transition into fire protection, and I have been doing it ever since.
I have been with PSI for 13 years. I came onboard already licensed to test Fire Sprinklers, Suppression Systems, Portable Extinguishers, and Back Flow assemblies in Oregon. PSI at the time was just a Fire Alarm company with 2 offices. The goal was to develop testing procedures and reporting protocols for this department, which previously did not exist. I’m happy to say that most of them are still in use today.
Over my time with PSI, I have had several professional accomplishments. I established the testing and inspection program and helped to bring significant growth to our service department. I have also obtained additional licenses and currently have a NICET III in Water-Based Systems and a NICET I in Special Hazard Systems. I also have a Washington State Journey Sprinkler Fitter license and the Washington State ITT license.
Having been responsible for creating and developing so many programs and departments for PSI, I am really invested in the success of this company. I want to watch the departments I’ve helped create continue to grow, and help PSI be the best company for fire protection services.
I think it's because the military holds you accountable for your actions, both personally and professionally. For instance, when performing maintenance on a piece of equipment, your work is reviewed. If it’s discovered you didn't actually perform that service, or it was only partially done, then you will be in trouble. In the Navy, this is called “gun decking.”
This, of course, also applies to the civilian world. All the required reporting of our testing gets reviewed by local and/or State Fire Marshals, and other Authorities Having Jurisdiction. So, the accountability experience in the military is like the fire and life safety industry, making the transition between the professions a good fit.
There is no journeyman program for testing and inspection of sprinkler systems, and solid hands-on training facilities here in Oregon are almost non-existent. PSI has worked around this challenge and done a really good job of finding great training opportunities—whether it's through Oklahoma State University, NFSA, or other organizations—and providing access to training for our technicians. For example, PSI sent me and other team members to Oklahoma State University for fire pump testing when we decided to bring fire pump testing in-house.
Whenever NFPA standards are updated, or if training is needed to maintain NICET certifications, PSI will bring in a trainer from NFSA to go over NFPA 25. It is Want to learn more about the opportunities at PSI? Contact careers@PSIntegrated.com if you have any questions or comments regarding career opportunities. Usually, there is a 2–3 day course at the PSI office, and it is attended by as many of our technicians as possible to join in the training. In years past, we’ve even had local Fire Marshals and other such professionals attend this training with us.
We have taken it a step further and also built a demo area at PSI headquarters so our people can get hands-on training with a variety of life safety systems. Including kitchen suppression systems, fire alarm panels, and the various types of sprinkler systems. Our training facilities provide our technicians with valuable hands-on experience in a controlled environment to expand their knowledge on a variety of life safety systems.
I told our CEO several years ago that there are four corner offices here, and I want one someday. I have aspirations with PSI and want to continue to learn, grow, and work my way up.
I am working to learn all aspects of this industry— I have been a field technician, a supervisor, a manager, and I am now on the sales team. These experiences are preparing me for my next steps, which I hope will lead to a GM position at some point in the future.
Fire and life safety is a very gratifying industry. There is something about going home at the end of the day and knowing that a building and its occupants are safer because of what you did. You can feel proud of your work, and the people who have like-minded goals.
I have been successful in this industry because of my willingness to always do what is right and be accountable for my actions. I will be the first to admit I didn't know everything at every step of my career, but I knew where and how to find the answers. My team and I have always wanted to do right by the customer.
Want to learn more about the opportunities at PSI?
Contact careers@PSIntegrated.com if you have any questions or comments regarding career opportunities.
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