Through mutual relationships, in 2001, Mike was recommended to a SA fire contracting business by a well-respected senior fireman in the SAMFS.  That particular business was looking for a junior system tester.  After 18 months as an I&T Technician, he helped out in the Company’s electrical division and it struck a chord with him.  One of the electrical tradesmen (who is now a director of his own fire contracting company) told Mike to “get off his ass” and do an electrical trade.  And so he did…. Mike started his electrical apprenticeship in Adelaide, at the ripe age of 24 years.

Mike made Electrical Apprentice of the Year three years running! He completed his qualification top of his class and a year earlier than his fellow students. By the time he was qualified, he had already run a series of large construction projects as the leading electrician. 

From that point on, Mike traveled the width and breadth of Australia with the same firm, completing complex installations from Blacktown in Sydney, through Robinvale in country Victoria, into Renmark in SA, up to Darwin in the NT and across to Canning Vale in Perth WA.

Mike was soon head hunted by a national fire company and remained there for 6 years. His role began as an electrician, grew to the Electrical Supervisor, then eventually the Electrical Service & Construction Manager for SA/NT.   During this time, the role included managing small repair jobs, larger fit-outs and large construction projects.  To further his capabilities, Mike studied Small Business Management, Applied Business Law, Business Economics, Project Management, Fire System Design & Management and numerous cooking classes, the latter being the most important!

In early 2013, following a subcontractor assessment trip to Darwin, Mike noticed a gaping hole in the fire service industry within the NT market. Mike packed up his life (and family) in Adelaide and set forth to Darwin. Defend Fire's service department started to take off. With a natural ability to grow and develop fire businesses, Defend Fire was soon reaching over 400 customers and 1,774 properties.

Mike and his family moved back to Adelaide in 2018, to assist with the growth of Defend Fire’s branch in Adelaide. Whilst working his magic in Adelaide and winning a “Trusted Partner” award from Spotless, he soon saw another opportunity for Defend Fire. An office in Alice Springs was set up in 2019 after being awarded a Defence Department construction project and some large service contracts in the area. Mike now shares his time between the NT and SA.

Mike is characterised by his expectation of excellence and bound strongly by customer service – striving to ensure he and his team deliver every time. He has a keen sense of responsibility and integrity and lives by his personal motto of – “Never over promise and under deliver – rather under promise and exceed!”.  As an expert in his field, he is often relied upon by fire engineers for practical advice and experience. He is renowned and well-regarded in all aspects of the fire industry. 

Zylia, his wife, recalls an early date she and Mike went on.  He attempted to serenade her by reciting the many Australian Standards relevant for fire protection. 

Josh started with Defend Fire in 2010 whilst on a two-year adventure around Australia with his family. He had a knack for running large jobs, well within time-frames and budget requirements. Several construction projects in Darwin needed a site foreman with his skill base and experience.

He started his plumbing apprenticeship in 2000. In the mid 2000’s, an opportunity arose at a fire company (funnily enough, the same one that Mike was working for) and he then started specialising in fire protection/sprinkler fitting.

Following Josh’s Australia wide trip, he and his family returned to Adelaide. A discussion resulted in Defend Fire officially opening a branch in South Australia, with Josh at the helm. Josh joined the partnership in the Adelaide based business and successfully ran projects at the Woman’s and Children’s Hospital, an upgrade at Camelot Castle, the construction of Brighton Central Shopping Centre and Murray Bridge Racecourse, to name a few.

Josh considers his greatest achievement to be parenting four well-balanced, happy children.

She studied a Bachelor of Laws (with accounting subjects) in Stellenbosch, South Africa, and then converted her degree through the University of Adelaide. She is an admitted solicitor but prefers to use her skills to support and work within the business; especially whilst juggling parenting. 

Mike and Zylia have two boys and twin girls. She has travelled the world extensively but is delighted to call Adelaide and Darwin home.

Karina is our Business Operations Manager. She has looked after many roles since starting with Defend Fire in 2017. After only a few weeks with the Company, we could see that bigger and better things were in store for her, and for us. Amongst her many hats, Karina overseas the office staff, acts as a contracts administrator and supports the construction team. She is a Firemate "guru" and enjoys sharing her knowledge with staff and clients alike. Karina is passionate about the Business with a keen interest in the fire industry - she is always willing and ready to learn more and challenge herself. Karina has been in Darwin/Alice Springs for the past 15 years and therefore has a first hand understanding of the vibrant city and its people!

In 2023, Karina was awarded "Office Professional of the Year" at the Master Builders Awards night. Defend Fire is proud to call her ours!