When most of us hear a fire alarm on campus, it’s little more than an interruption. For Technician Nicholas Kovach and his teammates at the Notre Dame Fire Department, though, those alarms are at the center of their mission: protecting people, preserving buildings, and making sure safety systems work exactly as they should.
Nick joined the Notre Dame Fire Department in 2017 after more than 16 years in the industry. NICET certified in fire alarm inspection, testing, and service, he brings both expertise and perspective to the job. But what stands out most to him is not the technical complexity, it’s the teamwork. “Every inspection, every repair, every event standby is a group effort,” he said. “None of us could do this alone.”
Together, Nick and his two colleagues, Dwight Niles and Matt Kovach, are responsible for roughly 140 campus buildings, each with hundreds of fire protection devices. No two days are alike. One morning might be dedicated to scheduled inspections, the afternoon to repairing a faulty system, and the evening to preparing for a football game or concert at the stadium. The work shifts with the academic calendar, too: residence halls in summer, classrooms during fall and spring breaks, and everything else carefully fit in between.
The importance of these efforts came into sharp focus in the spring of 2024, when a fire broke out in O’Neill Family Hall. Early alerts from smoke detection systems and water flow activation, combined with the sprinklers, contained the blaze and gave occupants time to evacuate safely. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly. “Moments like that remind us why the details matter,” Nick said. “We test and inspect so that when something happens, everything works exactly as intended.”
The job also requires adaptability. From historic chapels that demand delicate care to advanced labs requiring special protective equipment, the team approaches each space with caution and respect. Technology has helped. The department’s networked alarm system allows technicians to monitor activity across campus from a computer, tablet, or even a phone, but it hasn’t replaced the discipline of doing the work with care. “It’s easy to fall into routine,” Nick admitted, “but we remind ourselves that every test could one day make the difference.”
Outside of work, Nick lives in Elkhart with his wife, Lora, and their daughters, Lucia and Atalia. He treasures time with his family and finds joy in serving as a sound technician at the church he attends. That sense of balance and perspective shows up in his approach to the job as well. He knows safety isn’t just about systems, it’s about people.
His message to the Notre Dame community is simple: take alarms seriously. “It can be tempting to ignore them, especially when they feel frequent or inconvenient,” he said. “But one decision to stay put could be the one that puts you at risk.”