21-year-old Bailey Places Third in National ABC Championships An all-expense paid trip to Orlando; accommodations at Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort; a steak dinner with the boss at Don Shula's Steakhouse.

It all sounds like a dream or maybe some good luck on a TV game show. But, it was real for Affordable Fire Protection's Dustin Bailey.

Doing his job and doing it well earned the 21-year-old sprinkler fitter a trip to the 2005 Associated Builders and Contractors - ABC National Craft Championships in Orlando, Feb. 19-22.

Dustin made his company and his boss proud by placing third in the National Competition. For that he earned a Milwaukee Saw, a Klein Tool Set, $350 cash and a bronze medal.

"I love Orlando and I really enjoyed the competition," Dustin said. "I wish I could've done better, but I'm real happy I took third place."

More important to Dustin than the all-expense-paid trip, the tools and the cash was the fact that his boss - Milton Crosswy, president of Affordable Fire Protection - made the trip to Orlando just to watch him compete.

"It really impressed me that he showed up and supported me," Dustin said. "He took my brother and me to a great steakhouse the night before the competition. He made the long trip down from Atlanta. It all tells me that my company stands behind me."

Milton Crosswy wouldn't have it any other way.

"He's a great employee and he's worked hard in the apprenticeship program," said Crosswy. "I wanted to support him. It is an important decision to become an apprentice, and I want Dustin to feel good about his decision.

"The trip to Orlando was a great opportunity for us to actually have a meal together and for me to watch Dustin compete. It was a great way to get to know him better," said Crosswy.

Dustin knew in high school that he wanted to do something that allowed him to work with his hands. He took carpentry and automotive classes for four years. He liked the fact that he could "make stuff and create whatever he wanted." Then, he got a call and job offer from his older brother, Waylon Bailey who also works for Affordable. Three days after graduating from high school he was off to work with Affordable Fire Protection.

Now, three years later, Dustin recalls the conversation and the offer from his brother. "I couldn't turn it down," he said. "It pays more and it's more a career than anything else out there."

What exactly does a sprinkler fitter do? Dustin says it best. "I service, inspect and maintain fire suppression systems. We save people's lives."

Dustin has goals and aspirations. "One day, I'd like to become a fire marshal. They are the ones who inspect the fire suppression systems. I'm talking about later down the road when my back gives out," he said with a smile. "I believe I would be a good marshal, since I will have the knowledge and experience in the trade."

Affordable Fire Protection, based in Norcross, sponsors Dustin and five other apprentices in the GFSA/CEFGA Sprinkler Fitting Apprenticeship Program.

CEFGA - the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia and the ABC of Georgia sponsored Dustin in the 2005 National ABC Championships.

CEFGA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by the Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia (ABC). Today it is supported by more than 3,000 construction companies and trade associations. CEFGA exists to address and help reduce a growing shortage of skilled workers in Georgia - approximately 3,000 per year according to the Georgia Department of Labor. For information visit www.cefga.org or call 770-685-1332.