Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Summit Sprinkler Technician Takes First Place at AFSA’S 31st Annual National Apprentice Competition
The 31st Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) was held at AFSA43: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in Denver, Colo., Sept. 18-21, 2024. The event showcased top apprentice talent in the fire sprinkler industry. Attendees surrounded the scene located in the middle of the sold-out exhibit hall to watch the nation’s seven apprentice finalists build and pressure-test a mini fire sprinkler system. Dylan Whitaker, fire sprinkler technician for Summit Fire & Security, Sanford, Fla. placed first in the competition and received a $5,000 cash prize!
“Being selected as a competitor for the 31st National Apprentice Competition at the AFSA43 conference was truly a surreal experience, from networking with industry partners to attending seminars,” says Whitaker. “What I’ll never forget is competing with the best apprentices in the nation. The AFSA43 conference was an eye opener of just how big the industry has become.”
“This year’s apprentice competition was very competitive from top to bottom,” says Brett Heinrich, president of Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, Kan., who oversaw the competition this year. “This was as complete of a group as I can recall in recent years and there have been some good ones. Great job to the apprentices and their companies!”
WHITAKER’S INTRODUCTION TO THE INDUSTRY
Whitaker has his uncle to thank for introducing him to the fire sprinkler industry. “He’s worked for Summit Fire & Security for almost 20 years now,” Whitaker explains. “He sent me a link, and I applied online and got the job.” This November will mark Whitaker’s four-year anniversary with the company.
The NAC was presented to him through Summit Fire & Security’s Apprentice Program Manager, Michelle Hutto-
Alejandro. After the special experience Whitaker had at the convention, he would advise anyone to try and become a finalist for next year’s competition. “It’s kind of a no-brainer. You might as well try. It only takes you roughly an hour to do the qualification exam and the worst that happens is you don’t make it to the finals. It’s an opportunity to prove your greatness. Plus, it doesn’t cost you anything.”
WHITAKER’S TAKE ON THE COMPETITION
“I was riding the high for a few weeks. It was busy in Colorado with the written exam and the hands-on [fire sprinkler installation]. We had meetings and interviews, but it never felt like work. It was fun!”
When asked how it felt once he won the NAC, Whitaker explains the experience with a smile. “I’ve never experienced anything like that. I have never had my picture taken so many times. I felt like a celebrity!” Whitaker liked the aspect of confidentiality within the convention—how the winner and how well each apprentice was doing was kept internal. “Just how the competition was from start to finish, I like how no one truly knows the winner until it’s time. I try to be humble, and I expected to come up in the middle or average.”
While Whitaker was surprised to hear his name, his team had a gut feeling he was taking first place home. Hutto-Alejandro and Jack Medovich, executive vice president of Summit Companies, and several people from Summit’s office said they knew. “They said when they heard my name wasn’t called for second or third, they already knew. But for me I had no idea!” says Whitaker.
“Dylan’s journey from starting with no experience four years ago to achieving such remarkable success is indeed inspiring,” states Daniel Buchanan, fire sprinkler operations manager, Summit Fire & Security, Sanford, Fla. “His growth and accomplishments speak volumes about his dedication, passion for the industry, and his unwavering motivation to be the best. Knowing Dylan, it comes as no surprise that he ranked high in the competition and seeing him win was truly awesome. His achievements bring immense pride and motivation to our entire team, serving as a powerful reminder that hard work and dedication to training truly pay off.”
Congratulations to all seven apprentices for their hard work in becoming finalists in the NAC. The AFSA team and all in attendance enjoyed yet another great competition. Daniel Kohler, Western Fire Protection, Poway, Calif., won second place and a $3,000 cash prize. Aron Cook, Coastal Fire Protection Co., Chesapeake, Va., took home third place along with a cash prize of $2,000. Honorable mentions and $1,000 cash prizes were awarded to: Kacey Clark, Titan Fire Protection, Vista, Calif.; James Doss, Allied Fire Protection, LP, Pearland, Texas; Samuel Ohyama, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Timothy Shinn, Aqueduct Fire Protection Systems, Williamstown, N.J. All competition winners also received a commemorative award and tools.
WHAT’S THE HYPE AROUND NAC?
“The apprentice competition is an annual reminder of how well our training program has been developed and implemented across the country, says Heinrich. “Not to mention how well it is being taught and implemented. The continual updates to content and refinement are paying dividends.”
AFSA’s NAC is celebrating 31 years of showcasing apprentices. The competition is divided into two phases. Phase 1 consists of a 100-question multiple-choice exam provided by AFSA. The test is proctored online, making it accessible to contestants in all 50 states. The top seven scoring apprentices in the Phase 1 exam received expense-paid trips to compete in Phase 2 of the national competition, held during AFSA’s annual convention.
Whitaker describes how components of the competition promote technical learning from four years of book work. “I feel both the installation and written exam went hand in hand together. The hands-on gave several situations that someone would encounter in the field. I think you can do well if you’re thorough and do things by the book.”
In Phase 2, participants took another, more thorough written examination and installed a steel and CPVC sprinkler system with pendent and sidewall heads. The systems were pressure tested, and participants were graded on accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety. The installation portion was held in the middle of the exhibit hall on the convention’s final day.
“After the first 30 minutes or an hour, I forgot I was being judged. I was focused on completing the task at hand. At one point, there were about 30 Summit employees surrounding me, which made me a little nervous,” he laughs.
The National Apprentice Competition was started in 1994 by the late Robert L. (Bob) McCullough, then chair of AFSA’s Apprenticeship & Education Committee and president of Allsouth Sprinkler Company. The company continues to sponsor the competition and AFSA appreciates its continued support.
The competition was created to promote apprentice training and recognize the apprentices actively enrolled in the AFSA apprenticeship program. It continues to bring fire sprinkler apprentices from AFSA local chapters and member training programs from all corners of the United States together in the association’s foremost showcase of excellence in training among future industry leaders.
THANK YOU ALL!
AFSA continues to express its gratitude to all involved in making the NAC happen each year. “The apprentice competition is a true team effort and could not be accomplished without the help from ALL involved… and there are many,” says Heinrich.
Tools, materials and support for this year’s competition were provided by Allsouth Sprinkler Company; Alwest Fire Protection; AFSA Florida Chapter; Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co.; Core & Main Fire Protection; Crawford Sprinkler Co. of South Carolina, Inc.; Driven Fire Consultants; Eastern Fire & Safety; Ferguson Fire & Fabrication; Fire Tech Systems, Inc.; Foothill Fire Protection, Inc.; Fortis Fire & Safety; JFV Engineering, LLC; Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company; RIGID Tools; Sammy/ITW; Spears Manufacturing Co.; Victaulic; Viper Tradeshow Services; Viking Group, Inc.; VSC Fire & Security, Inc.; and Winsupply, Inc.
AFSA is grateful to NAC Chair Brett Heinrich for spearheading this year’s competition. In addition, the association is grateful for this year’s judges: Brooks Bayne, AFP Systems; Chris Johnson, Piper Fire Protection, A Fortis Brand; Gene Taylor, Brendle Sprinkler Company, Inc.; David Koopman, VSC Fire & Security, Inc. and Bernie Parsons, Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. Jeff Phifer, Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, and Heinrich served as alternate judges. Bill Norwood, Alwest Fire Protection, LLC, performed the hydro testing on the systems and was instrumental in the set-up, teardown, maintenance, and repairs of the structures.
YOU COULD BE THE NEXT CHAMPION!
Whitaker encourages green apprentices to take a chance on themselves with the NAC. “I’d encourage any new and potential fitters to join the AFSA apprentice program and take the exam. The next champion could be you!” Got what it takes to become the 32nd NAC winner? Entry forms for next year’s event at AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Oct. 14-19, 2025, will be available soon. Bookmark the official NAC website to learn more details in early 2025!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Clarissa Rios is the communications coordinator for AFSA.
