The K-Factor
The K-Factor
Podcast Description
Welcome to The K-Factor, the podcast that brings you inside the world of fire protection. Hosted by industry experts Josh McDonald, Eric Andresen, and Nate Williams, this show dives into all aspects of the fire protection industry—from groundbreaking technologies and best practices to career insights and industry trends.Join us for engaging discussions, expert interviews, and real-world stories as we explore what it takes to keep people and properties safe. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a newcomer, or just curious about fire protection, The K-Factor is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired.Stay connected, stay protected—welcome to The K-Factor.https://www.firesprinkler.org/podcast/
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various themes such as fire protection technologies, industry standards, educational offerings, and career insights. Episodes delve into topics like the NFPA 13 standard in fire sprinkler design, advancements in inspection, testing, and maintenance, and the impact of new educational programs by industry associations.

Welcome to The K-Factor, the podcast that brings you inside the world of fire protection. Hosted by industry experts Josh McDonald, Eric Andresen, Nate Williams, & Drew Boyer this show dives into all aspects of the fire protection industry—from groundbreaking technologies and best practices to career insights and industry trends.
Join us for engaging discussions, expert interviews, and real-world stories as we explore what it takes to keep people and properties safe. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a newcomer, or just curious about fire protection, The K-Factor is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired.
Stay connected, stay protected—welcome to The K-Factor.
https://www.firesprinkler.org/podcast/
In this second installment of The Riser Report, we bring you fresh conversations straight from the AFSA44 convention floor — highlighting the advocates, educators, champions, and rising leaders shaping the future of the fire sprinkler industry.
We kick things off with Peg Paul of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, who shares insight into national residential sprinkler advocacy, education efforts, and the ongoing push to improve home fire safety across North America.
Next, we catch up with Dylan Whittaker of Summit — the AFSA43 National Apprenticeship Champion — to talk about his apprenticeship experience, the path to becoming a top competitor, and what the next generation of sprinkler fitters is bringing to the industry.
We then connect with Rob Stewart, Director of Training at Fire Tech Productions, who dives into the evolving world of fire protection training, online learning, and the skill-building required to support a fast-changing industry.
Finally, Madison Wolf, VP & Regional Sales Representative at Victaulic, joins us to discuss her career journey, leadership in the industry, and what it means to be named the AFSA44 “Joe Heinrich Young Professional of the Year.”
Fast, focused, and recorded live on the expo floor, The Riser Report 2 delivers the conversations driving today’s fire sprinkler industry forward.
Peg Paul – Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (www.homefiresprinkler.org)
Dylan Whittaker – Summit Fire & Security, AFSA43 Apprenticeship Champion (www.summitfiresecurity.com)
Rob Stewart – Fire Tech Productions (learning.firetech.com)
Madison Wolf – Victaulic & AFSA44 Young Professional of the Year (www.victaulic.com)
AFSA’s Hands-On NFPA 25 Workshops take inspection, testing, and maintenance training beyond the classroom—giving fire protection professionals the opportunity to work directly with live systems in a controlled, real-world environment.
Each workshop is designed to build confidence, skill, and understanding of the NFPA 25 standard:
- 💧 NFPA 25 Essentials Workshop – Master the core inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for water-based fire protection syst
Reach out with questions and topics you would like covered at [email protected].
For more training opportunities visit: www.firesprinkler.org
TikTok: @firesprinkler.org
LinkedIn: American Fire Sprinkler Association
Facebook: firesprinkler.org
Instagram: @firesprinklerorg
Don't forget to like, subscribe, & review!

Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.