Trying to be better by getting better...
Origins
Hello, my name is Simon Ruiz. I started in fire alarm right out of Technical school. It was just a CAD job to get my feet wet and start my career - a stepping stone to my true dream of working in New York City at an Architectural firm. In the capital of the world, working on the skyscrapers of tomorrow. Not fire alarm, no way - this was only meant to be a brief chapter in my life. After almost two years at Advanced Fire, I knew it was time. I packed my bags, kissed my mother and sister, and left for the Big Apple. Understandably, my mother was horrified; it was only 6 months since 9/11, and fear and emotions were high, but I knew it was time. After 6 months of living on my cousin's couch and sending thousands of faxed and emailed resumes to Architectural firms and any CAD jobs, I was losing hope. My fiancée also questioned my decisions as she patiently waited in Florida. Things weren't panning out; I was losing some of that blind dedication to my dream. And a week before heading back to Florida to regroup, when the time I promised my fiancée ran out, it hit me. I had said I would never do Fire Alarm again as it wasn't what I really wanted to do - I was a delusional young man focused only on what he thought was his dream, not knowing that's not how the universe works. I asked myself, "I wonder if any Fire alarm companies are hiring?" And I searched for CAD operator positions at Fire Alarm companies, and two popped up: Cross-Fire and Firequench. I met with both, and the choice was easy. Brendan and Kevin from Cross-Fire were down-to-earth guys, and it felt just right. And the rest is history - Cross-Fire would become my home, my family. I was very blessed to have the honor to work, meet, and develop meaningful friendships throughout the years.
My Life, My Career
I've been with Cross-Fire for over 20 years. As I said before, I have made great friends and memories. I've learned, I've taught, and I've become the person I am because of it. I've been able to see views of this city from unfinished skyscrapers, from rooftops with access to only a few. I've worked on some of the most iconic structures in New York City. But most importantly, I was able to work for some of the most amazing people I've ever met. Kevin and Brendan, the original owners of Cross-Fire, have always led with respect and courage, teaching me to do the same. I am thankful to them and all the people who served as mentors, teachers, and true friends. Together we were able to do so many cool things - things that only now, as I'm taking the time to make this website, I am realizing how cool they were. When you're working and passionate about what you're doing, you're usually eager to get to the next stage of the game. You don't really spend much time marveling at your masterpieces because to you it's just hard work you're passionate about. From being involved in the input process of the NCS to ONYXWORKS transition, to meeting and working with the Notifier team in India to help test and give input on the Smoke Control System for the ONYXWORKS workstations. From working with John B. and Jim L. on the Fire Fighters training facility Hi-Rise Simulator donated by Denis Leary and his foundation, The Leary Firefighters Foundation in Randalls Island, and being there at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. At the moment, you don't understand that you're involved in something that's great and so important to life safety and keeping people safe. So as the universe tends to do, it let me live my dream of working in the capital of the world on skyscrapers of tomorrow, helping a great company install and maintain the thing I swore was only a stepping stone when I was young - "Fire Alarm Systems." With this site, I am ready to embrace whatever else the universe has in store for me, whether it's fire alarm, some other form of engineering, or maybe something completely different - we can only find out if we try. And that's why I wanted to start this site called Sparkies: to meet and interact with great people with great ideas, with a foundation in Fire Safety and Engineering altogether.