Brandi Bouchard is a Fire Suppression Technician based in Mt. Pleasant, MI. In her role, Brandi focuses on fire suppression system inspections, fire extinguisher servicing, and ensuring customers remain safe and compliant. She covers a large service area across northern Michigan, supporting both corporate and family-owned businesses.
“Brandi brings an energy to the team that’s both motivating and grounding. She has a natural ability to connect people greatly with her daily work, and make everyone around her feel supported. In her role, she combines organization, creativity, and a genuine commitment to the team’s success. Brandi doesn’t just get the job done—she elevates the work and the people around her, making a lasting impact on our culture and our results.”
— Mike Killey, Fire Suppression Operations Manager
Read on as Brandi shares her journey into the fire and life safety industry.
What brought you to the fire and life safety industry?
I’ve always been drawn to life safety work, starting in the medical field at a young age. I began as a CNA, then earned my EMT license and became a volunteer firefighter. I loved the work and wanted to keep growing.
At one point, I saw a company servicing fire extinguishers and became curious about that side of the industry. I did my research, reached out, and was given an opportunity. They trained me on fire extinguisher service and maintenance, and that’s where my career in fire protection really began.
Eventually, I wanted more growth than was available, so I started my own business. I handled everything myself. Servicing, scheduling, and building customer relationships. When COVID impacted my business, I reached out to Summit, and I’ve been here ever since. Altogether, I’ve been in the industry for nearly 10 years.
What has helped you become successful in your role?
Success in this role comes down to a few key things:
- Being able to multitask and adapt
- Planning for the unexpected
- Having integrity and being honest with customers
- Asking questions and continuing to learn
Confidence is also critical. You need to know what you’re doing and be able to communicate that clearly, especially in situations where you may be challenged.
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, I’ve had moments where people questioned my expertise. But by staying confident and knowledgeable, I’ve been able to build trust and long-term relationships with customers.
What are your long-term goals?
I plan to continue growing with Summit. Long-term, I’m interested in moving into a training role. I enjoy helping others learn and believe that the more knowledgeable technicians are, the better they can serve customers.
For me, it’s not just about completing a job. It’s about building relationships. I value the connections I’ve built with customers and take pride in being someone they trust.
What would you say to someone considering a career in fire and life safety?
If you’re passionate and willing to learn, go for it. There are always opportunities to grow in this industry, and there’s always someone willing to help teach you.
Fire protection is a career where you can continue advancing and building new skills. At Summit, especially, you’re never stuck. There’s always room to move forward.
What does your role at Summit involve?
I focus primarily on fire suppression system inspections and annual fire extinguisher servicing. My goal is to ensure every customer is safe, compliant, and able to operate their business without disruption.
Many of the customers I work with are family-owned businesses. At the end of the day, they rely on their operations to support their families. Making sure their systems are functioning properly is about more than compliance. It’s about protecting their livelihood.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day usually starts early, often between 2:00 and 5:00 AM. I like to complete inspections on pre-engineered systems, especially in restaurant environments, before operations begin. It’s safer and more efficient to work before kitchens are fully active.
Starting early also allows flexibility later in the day. If a customer has an emergency, I can respond quickly. That responsiveness has helped me build strong relationships with my customers.
Some days are long, but I enjoy the work and take pride in making sure my customers are taken care of.
What training or development has supported your career?
Much of the training in this field is hands-on and guided by industry standards, specifically NFPA 10 for fire extinguishers. We follow strict codes and stay updated as new regulations are introduced.
At Summit, I’ve also completed additional training, including CaptiveAire system training, which is becoming more widely used. There are also recurring certifications every few years for different fire suppression systems.
The key is staying current, continuing to learn, and taking advantage of every training opportunity available.
What would you say to someone considering applying at Summit?
I would absolutely encourage them to apply. If you enjoy working with people, value safety, and want a career with growth opportunities, this is a great place to be.
Summit offers a supportive environment where you can learn, grow, and build a long-term career.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
It truly takes a team to do this work. While I’m out in the field, there are customer service representatives, shop teams, and others behind the scenes supporting everything we do.
From creating work orders to handling specialized services like hydrostatic testing, everyone plays a role. That teamwork is a big part of what makes us successful.
