Meet Derek Zane, the driving force behind the new Fire Sprinkler Curriculum at Virginia Randolph ACE Center, a program made possible through a powerful partnership between Henrico County Public Schools (Mac Beaton & Beverly Cocke) and AFSA Virginia Chapter (Jeff Lewis & Bob Beckwith).
With over 25 years of experience in the fire protection industry—as a new construction fitter, foreman, and service/inspection technician—Derek now brings his knowledge and passion to the classroom, training the next generation of fire sprinkler technicians. “I began in this trade as a helper back in 1998,” Derek shares. “Through hard work and many certifications, I’ve now been given the chance to instruct future techs—and I’m enjoying it more each day. I learn as much as I teach.”
Though still in its first year, the program already has 17 students enrolled for next year, and we’re excited to watch it grow. As the skilled trades workforce continues to shrink, programs like this are more vital than ever. We’re proud to help bridge the gap and open doors for students exploring career paths in Fire Sprinkler Protection & Life Safety.
A special thank you to Atlantic Constructors, Inc. (ACI) for helping us connect with Derek, and to all of the industry partners and vendors who’ve supported the launch of this impactful initiative.
Let’s continue building the future of fire protection—one sprinkler technician at a time!
