Understanding that all of those areas are tightly intertwined is key to success.

Pretty much every restoration project has elements of each. A competent restorer understands that they all need to be considered and controlled for a project to be successful.

Without a doubt, one of the most common—and most important—is the use of proper PPE on projects involving contamination.

I started as a restoration technician at 16 years old, and at the time, I didn't take PPE seriously enough. I look back on those years of my life with significant regret.

That's why I make a point to emphasize the importance of proper PPE in my classes. I want to make sure my students understand the risks and don't make the same mistakes I did.

The fact that this industry is always evolving is what keeps it so interesting.

The way homes and buildings are restored today is different than it was decades ago. New technology, equipment, and processes are constantly being introduced, and that keeps restorers—and instructors!—on our toes.

There's always something new to learn.

Yes, absolutely. As an industry, we aren't always the best at contamination control and cleaning on water damage projects.

Many experienced restorers come to class with a good understanding of how to dry materials. Where I often see a gap is in understanding that contaminants need to be controlled before initiating full structural drying efforts.

That's something technicians who have never gone through formal Water Damage Restoration training can easily misunderstand.

One of the biggest differences is the customer service side of fire damage restoration.

An average water damage or trauma scene project might last three to seven days. Fire damage restoration is significantly more involved in terms of labor, and projects can last much longer.

Preparing customers for that is key. They've already experienced a major loss, and they need to understand what the restoration process is going to look like and how long it may take.

Failing to set those expectations can lead to unnecessary customer frustration during the project.

Dealing with your point of contact is often the hardest part of the job—even more so than the physical work itself.

That person has typically just experienced something incredibly traumatic, often the loss of a beloved family member.

Continually working with people experiencing significant grief can be incredibly difficult, and over time it can really weigh on the emotions of the technician.

Anyone entering trauma and crime scene restoration needs to understand that the human side of the work is every bit as real as the technical side.

Yes, you do! We all do.

Even the most experienced restorers in the world learn new things all the time.

This industry is constantly evolving. Technology changes. Equipment changes. Processes change. No matter how much experience you have, there's always more to learn.

I'm as “black and white” and to the point as I can possibly be when I teach.

Scientific theories are great, but I sincerely try to drill the most important points into my students' heads in a way that makes them easy to remember throughout their careers.

Especially for new technicians, I emphasize that the restoration industry is a great place to build a career. There will always be a need for our services, and we're about as recession-proof as an industry can be.

Most of my time away from work is spent with my wife, Leah, and our two young children, Caden and Cameron.

When I do get some “me” time, I enjoy golfing, hunting, fishing, and skiing.

Chris's training combines real-world restoration experience with a straightforward approach designed to help technicians understand what matters when they get back into the field.

View Chris Spensley's upcoming WRT, FSRT/OCT, and TCST classes through AG Pro Training.

Looking for other training opportunities? Explore hundreds of upcoming IICRC courses from approved instructors through AG Pro Training.