Code Red Consultants

News Category: News

The highly anticipated 2023 Code Red Summer Internship kicked-off in June. We welcomed a talented group of eight interns who have embarked on enriching opportunities involving career development, personal growth, and networking. Throughout the program, interns engage in a wide variety of activities, including on-site inspections, report writing, and specialized training sessions led by our skilled engineers. Additionally, team building events will be had to foster collaboration and camaraderie, creating an environment that fosters professional and interpersonal growth.

Code Red growth continues and is expanding its presence with the addition of technical staff in new regions across the country! This will strengthen our ability to serve clients in these areas and further establish our market presence.

To support this exciting growth, we have also made strategic additions to our administrative team. We welcome the arrival of a highly experienced Human Resource Director, who will play a pivotal role in talent management, the continued fostering of a positive culture, and attracting top industry professionals. Additionally, we have onboarded an accomplished Accounts Receivable Specialist, who will bring depth to and enhance our financial operations. Read about our newest hires below!

Josh Apolenis, P.E. is a Sr Project Manager with a decade of experience in Fire Protection and Life Safety Consulting with project work spanning across the country from California to Washington, DC. Josh has broad experience across various project types and market sectors with expertise in building and fire code consulting, hazardous material analysis and planning, fire protection systems design and consulting (suppression, alarm & smoke control), accessibility consulting, and performance-based design.

Andrew Biery, P.E. also joins Code Red as a Sr Project Manager with significant experience in a wide variety of consulting services including performance-based design, hazardous material analysis and process safety, fire and egress modeling, probabilistic risk assessments, building code compliance, and fire hazard analysis in residential, higher education, mixed-use, business, healthcare, and hazardous material markets. Andrew also has extensive experience in consulting efforts relating to large, international infrastructure projects in aviation and rail, as well as the re-use of historical buildings for residential or commercial purposes.

Sean Herman joins the firm as a Life Safety Consultant with seven years of experience in the Fire Protection and Life Safety Consulting industry. His project work and management experience has spanned across the country from California to Massachusetts, working on a variety of project types and market sectors; most notably, primary education, higher education, high-rise office and residential buildings, and mixed-use buildings. Sean’s expertise includes building and fire code consulting, fire protection systems design and consulting, negotiation with the Authorities Having Jurisdiction, and utilizing CAD/BIM programs to develop and deliver a successful and efficient project.

Karen Lacroix brings decades of experience to her role as HR Director. With a background in the Architectural, Engineering & Construction (AEC) industry since 2005, she has acquired extensive knowledge as both an individual contributor and HR leader, granting her deep understanding of the unique challenges within the consulting engineering industry. Throughout her career, Karen has successfully implemented HR initiatives that have had a positive impact on organizational culture, talent acquisition, performance management and employee engagement.

Angela Fochetti is an Accounts Receivable Specialist with a B.S. in Corporate Finance and Accounting from Bentley University. Prior to joining the firm, she held the positions of Assistant Director of Student Accounts and Senior Accountant at the College of the Holy Cross. Angela assisted families and students in establishing accurate and equitable payment plans. Additionally, Angela managed two student loan programs and was recognized as a prominent advocate in the billing and loan process.

Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Hoyt, P.E., Hubert Biteau, PhD, P.E., and Chris Lizewski, P.E. to Code Red Consultants! Mr. Lizewski will serve in a Sr Project Manager Role and both Ms. Hoyt and Dr. Biteau will serve as Senior Technical Advisors, expanding Code Red’s breadth of knowledge.

Chris Lizewski has been a Fire Protection Engineer working throughout New England since 2011. Over the course of his career, he has experienced a diverse range of projects spanning various markets, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, healthcare facilities and hospitals, secondary and higher education, hospitality, and high-rise office/lab buildings. He is highly experienced in code consulting services as well as fire suppression, fire alarm, and smoke control system review taking projects from concepts to construction. He enjoys working alongside owners, architects, fire departments, authority having jurisdictions and end users to find solutions to projects that maximize his Client’s ability to execute their project goals. Mr. Lizewski finds hazardous material safety in industrial, manufacturing, and laboratory settings most rewarding as these specialties play to his strengths in sorting out numerous challenges amongst multiple stakeholders.

Prior to joining Code Red, Ms. Hoyt served as the Chief Fire Protection Engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.  Through her role, she participated in developing the current ICC-based state building code as a member of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards. She provided technical support for the current NFPA 1-based state fire code and researched new and developing trends in fire protection, risk-based analysis of emerging technologies, and translation of her knowledge into applicable code language. Ms. Hoyt prepared third party reviews of architectural, fire sprinkler, and fire alarm plans for a multitude of projects and frequently attended design development meetings, site visits, and final inspections as a liaison between the design team and the local building and fire officials. In her new role, Ms. Hoyt will provide guidance on technical aspects of projects, developing education on applicable codes and emerging trends for members of the team and clients. She will also advise team members on perspectives of local enforcement agents for incorporation into comprehensive project approaches with a focus on code compliance, fire risk management, and life safety.

Dr. Biteau specializes in the evaluation of fire safety strategies for a wide range of hazards, buildings, and market types. His expertise spans across a diverse set of hazards including wildland fires, energy storage systems (ESS), hazardous material processes, and explosion and deflagration mitigation systems in accordance with NFPA 68 and 69.  He has conducted NFPA 855 risk assessments and hazard mitigation analyses for energy storage systems and has worked closely with utility companies on the implementation of a fire hazard evaluation and mitigation tool for gas transmission lines and gas transmission stations. Dr. Biteau can also lead efforts to conduct small and large-scale fire experiments based on internationally accepted standards. He can design, manage, and execute fire testing to provide critical information regarding the fire behavior of materials and material assemblies. Before joining Code Red, Dr. Biteau provided forensic services for more than 12 years, investigating the origin and causes of fires in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, evaluating the performance of fire protection systems, and evaluating the thermal behavior of appliances, as well as various consumer electronics.  He has served on a variety of NFPA Technical Committees including NFPA 88A, NFPA 285, NFPA 461, and NFPA 855.

Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Hoyt, P.E. and Hubert Biteau, PhD, P.E. to Code Red Consultants! Both Ms. Hoyt and Dr. Biteau will serve in Senior Technical Advisor Roles, expanding Code Red’s breadth of knowledge.

 

Prior to joining Code Red, Ms. Hoyt served as the Chief Fire Protection Engineer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.  Through her role, she participated in developing the current ICC-based state building code as a member of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards. She provided technical support for the current NFPA 1-based state fire code and researched new and developing trends in fire protection, risk-based analysis of emerging technologies, and translation of her knowledge into applicable code language. Ms. Hoyt prepared third party reviews of architectural, fire sprinkler, and fire alarm plans for a multitude of projects and frequently attended design development meetings, site visits, and final inspections as a liaison between the design team and the local building and fire officials. In her new role, Ms. Hoyt will provide guidance on technical aspects of projects, developing education on applicable codes and emerging trends for members of the team and clients. She will also advise team members on perspectives of local enforcement agents for incorporation into comprehensive project approaches with a focus on code compliance, fire risk management, and life safety.

Dr. Biteau specializes in the evaluation of fire safety strategies for a wide range of hazards, buildings, and market types. His expertise spans across a diverse set of hazards including wildland fires, energy storage systems (ESS), hazardous material processes, and explosion and deflagration mitigation systems in accordance with NFPA 68 and 69.  He has conducted NFPA 855 risk assessments and hazard mitigation analyses for energy storage systems and has worked closely with utility companies on the implementation of a fire hazard evaluation and mitigation tool for gas transmission lines and gas transmission stations. Dr. Biteau can also lead efforts to conduct small and large-scale fire experiments based on internationally accepted standards. He can design, manage, and execute fire testing to provide critical information regarding the fire behavior of materials and material assemblies. Before joining Code Red, Dr. Biteau provided forensic services for more than 12 years, investigating the origin and causes of fires in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, evaluating the performance of fire protection systems, and evaluating the thermal behavior of appliances, as well as various consumer electronics.  He has served on a variety of NFPA Technical Committees including NFPA 88A, NFPA 285, NFPA 461, and NFPA 855.

For contact information and to learn more about the newest members to our organization, follow the links below.

JENNIFER HOYT, P.E.

HUBERT BITEAU, PHD, P.E.

Code Red Consultants continues to grow with the arrival of four new staff; Joshua Thomas, Matt Nicastro, Nicolas Hesel, and Madelyn Uryase. We are excited to continue to bring on new talent and look forward to introducing our newest staff to our clients and partners in the fire protection and life safety industry.

Josh thrives in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. With experience in automatic sprinkler system installation, existing fire protection system evaluation, a variety of general code consulting, integrated system testing, and special inspections, he finds value in identifying client needs and providing solutions that exceed expectations. He is drawn to the consulting industry by his passions for problem-solving and helping clients meet and exceed their goals. Josh is eager to take advantage of all learning opportunities presented to further develop himself personally and professionally, including working towards completing his Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering.

Matt appreciates working in a collaborative environment. He works primarily in the residential, academic, office, and assembly markets, working on numerous aspects of the building and development process. He is focused on bringing his understanding of the relevant codes and standards to projects and enjoys finding solutions to routine and unique challenges, providing the best possible solution for his client’s needs. Matt takes every opportunity to grow and learn, both in the office and out in the field, including continuing his education as he works towards completing his Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering.

Nica is a highly motivated consultant who is passionate about complex problem solving and decision making. He is coming off a summer internship with Code Red! His background in aerospace engineering provides a unique perspective on engineering fundamentals that apply to fire systems and science. Nicolas will primarily work within the fields of healthcare, transportation, and smoke control modeling. He enjoys critical thinking and collaborating with colleagues to provide solutions for our clients in a timely and cost saving manner. As a new consultant, Nicolas strives to continue bettering himself every day, including continuing his education in pursuit of his Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering and studying for his Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Maddie comes to Code Red with field experience in the construction industry. Her background in Civil Engineering and construction provides a unique perspective on the design process and how these plans come to life on site. This allows her to understand the decisions made by parties involved in the construction process and potential solutions when obstacles arise. Maddie focuses her consulting efforts mostly in the residential, academic, office, and assembly markets, including accessibility code analysis. As a young consultant, Maddie is very excited to be provided with numerous learning opportunities as well as colleges she can look up to as she progresses in her career. Maddie is currently working towards completing her Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering.

Please join us in welcoming them aboard!

Code Red Consultants announces the addition of consultants Andrew Went and Jake Smith! Each may have their own unique backgrounds, but both new hires bring the same passion and dedication that our industry commands and our clients have come to expect.

Andrew joins Code Red with over 30 years of experience in the fire service, including the last 3.5 years as head of the Fire Prevention Division of the Providence, RI Fire Department. Working in that role he oversaw fire investigations, public education, inspection, code enforcement, and plan review across a wide variety of building types and occupancies including educational, industrial, nightclubs and other assemblies, business, mercantile, high-rise, and large-scale storage of gasoline, LP and LNG. He brings to Code Red the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) perspective of construction fire safety, having witnessed many fire safety failures in his career.

Jake is a motivated life safety consultant who seeks to gain as much knowledge of the fire protection industry as possible. As a result, he offers support in many services offered by Code Red Consultants including construction fire safety, firestopping special inspections, healthcare surveys, and building and life safety code consulting. Jake concurrently took classes for his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and his Master’s in Fire Protection Engineering while being a member of the wrestling team and acting as an officer in his fraternity. He is no stranger to hard work! Completing two summer internships with Code Red and another with a residential construction firm, Jake joined fulltime with an understanding of how to be successful. Jake enjoys working with others to solve unique problems in the field and in the office and is excited for the growth he will achieve while working at Code Red Consultants.

Please join us in welcoming them aboard!

As part of our culture, Code Red is always looking for new ways to play and connect. With the amount of focus that “working” often requires, it’s easy to forget to hit pause and take time to play or learn something new.

In the spirit of play, we took to the slopes at Nashoba Valley for some snow tubing, tapped into our “inner child” by participating in National Tie-Dye Day, and organized a pub-style trivia night at Code Red headquarters. As we strived to connect and give back, Code Red volunteered at the Boston Marathon’s 3.4 Mile Hydration Station. We’re also proud to share that more than half of our office became CPR and AED Certified in the spring.

Changing up our routine keeps our team energized and increases pathways to communication. Plus, when you pepper in a friendly competition as this group often does, our time together is always well spent.

We are getting 2022 off to a running start!  Code Red Consultants is excited to announce the addition of two new staff members, Sara Lyons and Sullivan Boyd.

Sara is a fire protection and life safety consultant who thrives in the quick, team-based environment at Code Red Consultants. Her background in Civil Engineering provides a unique perspective on the design process and construction management, which allows her to communicate well with parties involved in the construction process. Sara focuses her consulting efforts on general code analysis but enjoys a variety of work. The many different challenges presented in consulting is what drew her to the field. As a young consultant, Sara is excited to have the opportunity to work in the many disciplines Code Red has to offer and learn from her colleagues. Sara completed her B.S. in Civil Engineering and is on schedule to receive her M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering in May 2022.

Sullivan first joined the Code Red team as a part of our 2021 summer internship program.  He is a fire protection and life safety consultant eager to grow in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Working primarily within our field services, he enjoys that every project provides a unique challenge and opportunity to develop professional relationships. Sullivan’s background in Mechanical Engineering and previous experience in shipyard construction provides a unique perspective as to how clients and contractors interact during the construction process.  He feels that this experience allows him to better understand the nuances of communication in the field. As a young consultant, Sullivan is excited to be provided with numerous learning opportunities from his colleagues and continue to grow himself personally and professionally.  Sullivan recently completed his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is on schedule to receive his M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering the summer of 2022.

Having Sara and Sullivan join our growing team helps to increase our bandwidth, experience, and the continued ability to serve our valued clients.  We are excited to welcome them both to the team!

Code Red Consultants had a very busy year in 2021.  We celebrated our EIGHTH year in business and added EIGHT new team members.

“You do your best work if you do a job that makes you happy.” ~ Bob Ross

Code Red not only worked hard in 2021, but we also saw the return of some traditions and added a few new ones to have fun, strengthen the team, and give back to the community.  In October, the return of the Boston Marathon brought us together at mile marker 3, where we volunteered at the BAA hydration station. October also brought the cooler weather and our creativeness shone during the annual Halloween costume contest. There was a wide variety of characters in the office that day, ranging from Hulk Hogan, Anna from Arundel, Jeff Hanson from Slapshot, Teen Wolf, Rocky, Woody from Toy Story, and Sloth from The Goonies!! In November, we gave back to the community by collecting non-perishable food items for the Veterans’ Inc. shelter in Worcester. To round out the year, we were able to come together in December to celebrate everything that was 2021 at our annual holiday gathering at Nuovo Restaurant in Worcester. It was a much-needed familiar event that afforded a night of laughter, conversations, and of course great food.

Happy New Year from all of us at Code Red; wishing you a safe, healthy and prosperous 2022!

Code Red Consultants is excited to announce the addition of Anna Correia to our growing practice. Anna first joined the Code Red team as part of our 2020 summer internship program, where she thrived in our fast-paced, collaborative environment. We were thrilled to welcome her back in June as a full time fire protection and life safety consultant. Having Anna join the team increases our technical bandwidth, experience, and ability to serve our valued clients.

Working with a variety of clients, project types, and consultants, Anna enjoys that every day presents unique challenges. Her primary focus is on residential life safety and accessibility consulting, which include apartment, condominium, dormitory, and hotel buildings. Her background in architectural engineering provides a unique perspective on how clients come to decisions during the design process, which provides invaluable perspective as she communicates with her architectural clients. As a young consultant, Anna is excited to be provided with numerous learning opportunities from her colleagues and continue to grow in her role. Anna recently completed her B.S. in Architectural Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and is on schedule to receive her M.S. in Fire Protection Engineering next summer.

Please join us in welcoming Anna aboard!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANNA