At Summit Fire & Security, career growth often comes from a willingness to learn, adapt, and take initiative. For Salvador Alvarez, that journey has taken him from construction work to becoming a Fire Alarm Service Technician, with opportunities to work in Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida along the way.
“He’s a great tech and was on his way to becoming the Fire Alarm Manager for Houston until he decided to make the move to Florida to help support his brother and brother’s family. This gives him a lot of experience with Summit Fire & Security as a company. He’s been a great addition to the alarm team in our branch.” Said branch manager, Chris Cassady.
We recently sat down with Salvador to learn more about his career path, what he enjoys most about the industry, and why he’s continued to grow his career with Summit.
Tell us about yourself and how you got started in the fire protection industry.
I currently work as a Fire Alarm Service Technician in our Sanford, Florida office, which serves the Orlando North area.
I originally moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States in 2020. I started working through a construction staffing company and eventually had the opportunity to work as a fire alarm helper. That helper position happened to be with Summit, and after a few months I was hired full-time.
Not long after that, I completed my Oklahoma Fire Alarm Technician certification, became a technician, and started running jobs on my own. That was the beginning of my career in fire alarm systems.
You’ve worked in several Summit locations. Tell us about that experience.
I’ve actually spent my entire fire protection career with Summit. I started in Oklahoma City, then transferred to Houston, Texas, and most recently transferred to Sanford, Florida.
One of the things I appreciate most is that I didn’t have to leave the company to make those moves. Summit made it possible for me to relocate while continuing my career.
The moves were mostly driven by personal reasons. I relocated to Houston to help support a church and later moved to Florida to be closer to family.
What has your experience been like working across different branches?
It’s been great. Every branch follows the same overall company standards, but each office has its own way of operating and its own team culture.
I’ve also learned how fire alarm regulations vary from state to state, which has helped me grow professionally. Working in multiple locations has exposed me to different systems, different customers, and different ways of solving problems.
Most importantly, the people have always been willing to help. I’ve learned a lot from technicians and managers in every branch I’ve worked in.
What do you enjoy most about fire alarm service work?
I enjoy service work because it’s like solving a puzzle every day.
With installation work, you know what you’re building and how it’s supposed to come together. Service work is different because you’re often arriving at a system you’ve never seen before and trying to figure out what’s wrong.
Every day presents a new challenge. You’re troubleshooting, learning new systems, and constantly developing your skills. That’s what keeps it interesting.
You’ve worked in both installation and service. Why do you prefer service?
Installation is rewarding because you see the entire system come together, but service requires more problem-solving.
When you’re troubleshooting, you’re working backwards to determine what caused an issue and how to fix it. Every system is different, and every problem is different. That’s what I enjoy most.
Having installation experience helps because you understand how systems are supposed to work, which makes troubleshooting much easier.
You’ve also had some leadership experience. What was that like?
While I was in Houston, I had the opportunity to help fill an interim project management role after my manager was promoted.
I helped with scheduling technicians, customer communication, job costing, and various office responsibilities. Summit also sent me to a management training program, which was a great learning experience.
It gave me a different perspective on how the business operates and helped me understand the challenges that come with leadership positions.
What made you realize this career was right for you?
Early on, I realized that fire alarm work is a skill-based trade.
I wanted a career where my value was tied to the knowledge and skills I developed. As I started learning more about fire alarm systems, I realized there was always something new to learn and opportunities to continue growing.
The more skilled you become, the more opportunities you create for yourself.
What keeps you motivated today?
The learning never stops.
Even after several years in the industry, I’m still encountering new systems, new challenges, and new situations. Every day is different.
It’s not repetitive work. There’s always something new to figure out, and that’s what keeps it interesting.
What advice would you give someone considering a career in fire protection?
Take initiative.
There are so many free resources available today. Watch videos, read manuals, ask questions, and learn from the people around you.
The technicians and managers who stand out are the ones who are constantly learning and looking for ways to improve. If you’re willing to put in the effort and continue developing your skills, the opportunities are there.
The more valuable you make yourself, the more opportunities you’ll have throughout your career.
After working in multiple branches and states, what keeps you at Summit?
I’ve had the opportunity to work in three different Summit branches, learn from a lot of great people, and continue growing my career.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with my experience, and I don’t have any plans on leaving.
Visit our careers page to learn more about open opportunities at Summit Fire Protection: https://summitfire.com/careers/
