In this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum welcomes back John Mackey, an industry advisor and experienced fire protection leader. Together, they discuss the current state of the fire and life safety industry and share early insights from Inspect Point’s upcoming Fire & Life Safety Industry Report.

Drew and John reflect on the major themes of 2025, including continued industry consolidation, shifting market dynamics between installation and service, and why recurring inspection, testing, and maintenance revenue has become the foundation of long-term business value. Drawing from real platform data, Drew shares early findings that show how inspections drive significant downstream revenue through deficiencies, proposals, and compliance-driven work.

The conversation also explores how data and technology are reshaping the industry—from field service management platforms to third-party compliance reporting—and why insurance carriers, AHJs, and municipalities are demanding greater visibility into inspection results. John explains how these forces are accelerating accountability while creating new opportunities for contractors who invest in the right tech stack, processes, and reporting discipline.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Drew and John discuss labor challenges, the growing importance of service-centric business models, private equity activity across contractors and FireTech, and how AI and industry-specific data will enhance efficiency without replacing the technician in the field.

This episode sets the stage for the upcoming Fire & Life Safety Industry Report, offering contractors, executives, and industry leaders a data-backed perspective on where the market is headed—and how to prepare for what’s next.