Fire Protection Industry Veteran Shares 35+ Years of Industry Insights in New Podcast Interview

NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 15, 2025 / In a candid new podcast interview, fire protection industry veteran and Response Fire Supply founder Devin Doyle of Newport Beach reveals why he believes current market conditions present unprecedented opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs, despite widespread concerns about workforce challenges.

Image Source: Dream Big & Co.

With over three decades of experience building and expanding fire protection companies across California, Nevada, and Arizona, Doyle offers a contrarian perspective on today's business climate. "I've never seen it easier for people to succeed than I see it today," Doyle stated during the interview. "There's so many people that don't want to work, don't want to put in the time - it would be so easy to be a top performer if you're willing to put in the effort."

Doyle's insights come from firsthand experience scaling Reaction Supply from a single Bay Area location to seven branches across three states before selling to Hughes Supply in 1999, which was later acquired by HD Supply. He subsequently founded Response Fire Supply in 2013, applying lessons learned from decades of industry evolution.

The entrepreneur emphasized the persistent value of trade skills in an increasingly digital economy, citing union sprinkler fitters in the Bay Area who earn upwards of $180,000 annually. "AI can't install a sprinkler system," Doyle noted. "They can't go up on a man lift into a 60-foot building and hang sprinkler pipe. It's one of the old school industries where people still have to do the work."

Doyle's strategic approach to business expansion follows what he calls a "golden rule" - only opening new locations when the most recent branch becomes profitable. This methodical growth strategy enabled Reaction Supply's successful expansion throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with significant regulatory changes that mandated fire protection systems in residential and commercial buildings.

The fire protection industry experienced dramatic growth following tragic fires in Las Vegas and new ordinances in Phoenix, Arizona, which became the first city to require residential fire sprinklers. Scottsdale's 1982 residential ordinance sparked expansion opportunities that Doyle's companies capitalized on by establishing strategic locations in Phoenix and Las Vegas.

During the interview, Doyle also addressed common misconceptions about fire sprinkler systems, explaining that individual sprinkler heads activate independently at specific temperatures (165-200 degrees) rather than triggering simultaneously throughout a building. This technical knowledge stems from his hands-on approach to business management, requiring all employees - including sales staff - to start in warehouse operations to understand every aspect of the business.

Looking ahead, Doyle sees significant advantages for nimble, family-owned businesses competing against large corporations constrained by bureaucratic structures. "We can get something back to the customer within a half hour," he explained. "There's not five approvals needed."

The podcast interview highlights Doyle's belief that trade schools are experiencing a resurgence after years of decline, potentially addressing workforce shortages that have challenged the industry. His message to young entrepreneurs emphasizes the importance of finding industries they're passionate about while maintaining a strong work ethic in an environment where "the bar is very low."

Devin Doyle continues to lead Response Fire Supply, which operates five locations across California, Nevada, and Arizona, serving fire protection contractors throughout the Western United States.

Media Contact:

Devin Doyle
doyledevin91@gmail.com
https://www.responsefiresupply.com/

SOURCE: Devin Doyle