Why Mentoring the Next Generation Matters in Fire Protection

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Lauren Milliman

From hands-on field roles to technical and leadership opportunities, the fire protection industry offers career paths for every interest. In our latest blog, we share why mentoring young people matters, how careers grow over time, and how showing up willing to learn can lead to incredible opportunities. The next success story could start here.

Coleman Farrar, VP Division Manager shares his story below. 

One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been mentoring young people—and for good reason. The fire sprinkler and life safety industry offers incredible opportunities for a wide range of interests and skill sets. Whether a student prefers hands-on work outdoors, enjoys technical problem-solving in an office environment, or thrives on variety and seeing new challenges every day, there is a pathway forward in this industry.

What I enjoy most is watching young people grow. As they learn new skills, their confidence increases, their problem-solving improves, and they begin to see themselves differently. Like many industries, fire protection rewards knowledge and experience—the more you learn, the more opportunities and earning potential you gain.

For some students, mentorship fills a much deeper gap. Many young people have never had someone help them envision what their future could look like. That’s not a failure on their part,it simply means they need guidance, encouragement, and a plan. Most of us can relate. At one point, many of us were young, unsure of our direction, and without a clear roadmap. Few things are more fulfilling than helping someone find their footing and succeed.

One of my favorite mentoring moments is seeing that “light bulb” turn on; the moment when a student realizes the opportunities available in an industry they may have never heard of before. Suddenly, a career feels possible.

My Career Journey

I started in the fire sprinkler industry at 19 years old. At the time, I didn’t even know what a sprinkler head was, but I knew I needed a career, not just a job. What I did have was a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and mentors who believed in me and pushed me forward.

I began as a helper (laborer) and advanced into a sprinkler fitter role. Later, I had the opportunity to move into fire sprinkler design. Design is much more than drawing plans, it requires applying NFPA standards, understanding insurance requirements, and communicating complex systems clearly. Technical accuracy and clarity both matter.

Along the way, I gained experience in fabrication, service work, estimating, sales, and inspections across multiple states. Because of my field and design background, transitioning into estimating felt natural. Eventually, I became the top salesperson at that company, which led to management and, ultimately, an ownership opportunity.

Was the journey easy? No. There were early mornings, late nights, and long days. But did it pay off? Absolutely. And those same opportunities still exist today.

The bottom line is this: you don’t need to know everything on day one. If you show up, work hard, and commit to learning, this industry can take you farther than you might ever imagine. I would love nothing more than to help the next generation experience success—maybe even more than I have.