The History of US Life Safety, Inc.
In 1973, Steve Burchesky started his career in employee safety and training when he was hired by a Los Angeles based company named Universal Learning Systems. The company produced hands-on instructional training programs for company employees. Clients were top drawer companies; Eastman Kodak, The Bekins Company, Chevron Oil, Bausch & Lomb, Xerox to mention a few. At first, Steve handled photography and program design. Soon, because of his organizational skills, Steve also took on the title of Production Manager.
In 1980, Los Angeles adopted a new fire code requiring high-rise building owners to require occupant training in what to do in the event of fire, earthquake, bomb threat or other emergency. Steve and crew shifted gears and soon were producing custom site-specific training for occupants in high-rise buildings. The company produced over 150 programs for buildings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, and Pittsburgh.
In 1984, after eleven beneficial learning years and being the company's lead technical writer Steve hung out his own shingle, AVID Productions. He continued producing employee safety and training with an emphasis in high-rise building occupant training. In 1989, Steve moved to the Pittsburgh area and after September 11, 2001, AVID Productions took on a more easily recognizable name: US Life Safety which was later incorporated in January of 2003.