News Category: News

Code Red Consultants is proud to announce the addition of Jeff Perras and Corey Fisher to the firm’s ownership team. This milestone reflects their meaningful contributions to our clients, our people, and the continued advancement of our technical expertise.

Corey and Jeff have each played a key role in advancing our projects, supporting our clients, and strengthening our technical expertise. Their leadership, dedication, and long‑term commitment to Code Red Consultants’ mission make them a natural fit for the firm’s ownership group. Through their work as trusted advisors and collaborative leaders, both have consistently demonstrated the values that define Code Red Consultants.

Code Red Consultants is a proudly independent, employee‑owned, and employee‑led company. Our deep ownership group, comprised of experienced business and technical leaders, is the engine that drives the firm toward its vision of being viewed by our clients as the most trusted fire protection and life safety consulting firm, renowned for exceptional service and a thriving employee culture. By empowering our people and investing in long‑term leadership, we ensure that our team can achieve its full potential while delivering outstanding results for our clients.
Please join us in congratulating Jeff and Corey on this well‑earned accomplishment and welcoming them as owners of Code Red Consultants.

Code Red Consultants is excited to announce the addition of Melissa Lord to our business operations team as Director of Finance and Accounting. With 20 years of accounting and finance experience, Melissa brings deep technical expertise and strategic insight that will strengthen our financial operations and support the firm’s continued growth.

Prior to joining Code Red Consultants, Melissa built a strong foundation in public accounting before transitioning to the private sector, where she developed a disciplined, audit-ready approach to finance and accounting operations. Her extensive background and leadership experience make her an invaluable addition to our team.

Melissa is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and is valued for her collaborative leadership style, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous improvement. In her role, she partners closely with cross-functional teams to ensure financial integrity, operational efficiency, and informed decision-making aligned with long-term business objectives.

Please join us in welcoming Melissa aboard!

A group of 20 fire protection engineers from Code Red Consultants suited up in firefighter turnout gear for a hands-on training experience at the Worcester Fire Department Training Division. The goal of this unique professional development experience was simple: teach engineers to think like firefighters. This immersive day gave our engineers a firsthand look at what it means and how it physically feels to be on the fireground, where firefighters interact with active and passive fire protection systems on a daily basis. A special thank you to our team members Jeremy Souza, Josh Donovan, Andrew Went, and Jen Hoyt for organizing this event and to Chief Dyer and the Worcester Fire Department for allowing us to use their facility and providing essential training guidance. We are proud of how engaged our staff were throughout the day and we recognize the immense value this experience brings in deepening their understanding of fire protection in real-world conditions.

During January 2026, Code Red Consultants proudly hosted its 5^th annual Emerging Talent Winternship, continuing our commitment to fostering the next generation of fire protection engineers and life safety professionals. Over the course of a dynamic week, participants immersed themselves in technical learning, mentorship, and hands-on experiences designed to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

The program featured a robust schedule of activities, including:

• Interactive Sessions on topics such as Means of Egress, Fire Department Response, and Systems Design & NFPA 4, including presentations that challenged participants to share insights they learned throughout the program.
• Mentorship Opportunities, where Winterns connected with our team of consultant engineers to gain awareness into code consulting, design, and field services.
• Looking Ahead, focused on career development and FE/PE pathways.

Beyond technical training, the Winternship emphasized professional development and networking. From catered lunches to ice cream socials, participants had ample opportunities to engage with peers and industry experts in a welcoming environment.

At Code Red Consultants, we believe education and collaboration are key to advancing fire and life safety. Programs like this not only strengthen the talent pipeline but also inspire future leaders in our field. We look forward to continuing this tradition and seeing the impact these emerging professionals will make in the years ahead!

We’re proud to announce our expansion into New York City, a significant milestone in Code Red Consultants’ ongoing growth and commitment to serving clients in key markets. With a physical presence now established in Manhattan, our team is strategically positioned to better support clients across New York City and the greater Tri-State area. From code consulting and fire engineering to fire protection system design, construction services, and special inspections, we’re equipped to deliver the responsiveness, technical expertise, and high-quality service we’re known for nationwide.

“Opening a New York City office was a natural next step for us,” said Peter Harrod, Sr. Principal / Vice President. “We’ve been supporting clients on complex projects throughout the city—during both design and construction – and having a local presence allows us to be even more responsive when it matters most. It also bridges the gap between our Boston headquarters and our Mid-Atlantic presence, strengthening our ability to support complicated projects up and down the East Coast.”

As part of this expansion, we’ve welcomed John Barrot, P.E. to the team as our NYC-based Director. With over 20 years of experience and a strong track record of leadership in fire protection and code consulting, John brings deep industry knowledge that will be instrumental in driving our services forward and strengthening regional partnerships.

“I’m excited to lead our expanded efforts in New York City and to leverage CRC’s extensive capabilities and incredible team in this market,” said John Barrot, P.E., Director. “ With a local presence, we can build on the work we’re already doing here and deliver even greater value to our clients.”

If you have upcoming projects in this region or want to learn more about how we can support your work, don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to continuing to build strong relationships and deliver exceptional services in the heart of New York City and beyond.

We’re excited to announce the addition of four new senior leaders to the Code Red Consultants team, further expanding our capabilities and presence in key markets. Based in our New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston locations, these accomplished professionals bring extensive backgrounds in fire protection engineering, code consulting, and project leadership. Their diverse knowledge and industry perspectives enhance our ability to deliver customized, high-impact solutions while evolving our services and strengthening client partnerships across the built environment nationwide.

John Barrot, P.E. joins Code Red Consultants as a Director with over 20 years of experience in fire protection, code consulting, and performance-based design. He is known for leading high-performing teams, fostering collaboration across disciplines, and delivering practical, results-driven solutions. John has led projects across sectors including aviation, commercial real estate, cultural institutions, energy, industrial, hospitality, residential, science, and transportation. A recognized leader in modular construction fire safety, he has played a key role in some of the industry’s most innovative projects. A past President of the SFPE Metro New York Chapter, John actively contributes to code development through committees for the NYC Construction Codes, ICC, and NFPA. His work has shaped major standards such as NFPA 101, NFPA 5000, ICC 1200/1205, the CSA High-Rise Modular Construction standard, and the AIA Modular Construction Guide.

Kimberly Powers, P.E. joins Code Red Consultants as a Senior Project Manager with over 20 years of experience in the building design and construction industry. Her multidisciplinary background in fire protection engineering, code consulting, and civil/structural engineering brings a well-rounded technical approach to every project. With strong experience in site planning and structural design using wood, concrete, and steel systems, Kim now focuses on enhancing Code Red Consultants’ code consulting capabilities and integrating fire protection systems throughout all design and construction phases. In addition, Kim has worked across diverse sectors, including healthcare, higher education, hospitality, government, and commercial development, giving her a deep understanding of how code requirements intersect with project goals in varied contexts.

James R. Lugar, P.E. joins Code Red Consultants as a Senior Project Manager with over 20 years of experience in fire protection and life safety consulting. He brings deep technical expertise across a variety of sectors, including assembly, retail, residential, science and technology, healthcare, and commercial office buildings. James has worked in key regions such as Atlanta, Raleigh, and Baltimore, and has held specialized roles including contract work with the Pentagon Fire Marshal and serving as a delegated Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), strengthening his knowledge of code enforcement and regulatory compliance. He takes a detail-oriented, collaborative approach to projects, with expertise in building and fire code consulting, active and passive fire protection systems, fire alarm and mass notification systems, as well as commissioning and inspection services.

Nick Kozlowski, P.E. joins Code Red Consultants as a Senior Project Manager with over a decade of experience in fire protection, life safety, and accessibility code consulting. He is recognized for his deep knowledge of local and international codes and his ability to collaborate effectively with architects, developers, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction. Nick supports a wide range of projects, including high-rise, office, residential, academic, assembly, transportation, industrial, and mixed-use buildings. He is dedicated to finding solutions that enhance safety while supporting architectural vision, aligning code requirements with design goals. Known for his proactive approach, Nick helps teams identify and address code challenges early, leading to efficient and cost-effective outcomes.

In January 2025, Code Red Consultants held its annual Emerging Talent Winternship — a one-week program designed to help students expand their networks and deepen their understanding of the fire and life safety industry through mentorship and hands-on project experience. This year, our Winterns participated in a high-rise building fire attack simulation. In full firefighting gear, they tackled the challenge of executing a standpipe evolution, using a standpipe system from within a multi-story building to combat a fire. This evolution highlighted the critical role of fire protection and life safety features in a building, demonstrating how and why the fire service utilizes these systems to ensure the safety of occupants.

We’re proud to announce a significant enhancement of our expertise in fire protection and fire alarm system design by adding two accomplished industry leaders to the Code Red Consultants team. With their combined expertise in fire protection system design, product innovation, and high-hazard fire protection, Rob Viall and Melissa Avila bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will elevate our service offerings and ensure we meet our clients’ expanding needs in fire protection system design, special hazard analysis, and protection for manufacturing and industrial applications. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to delivering expert, tailored solutions across the built environment nationwide.

Rob Viall, P.E. joins Code Red Consultants as a Project Manager and Fire Protection Engineer with over 15 years of experience in designing fire protection systems and delivering comprehensive building and life safety code consulting services. His technical expertise spans sprinkler and standpipe systems, specialty fire suppression systems, fire pumps, and fire alarm/mass notification systems. Throughout his career, Rob has contributed to a wide range of project types, including commercial facilities, high-rise buildings, warehouses, laboratories, aircraft hangars, and military facilities. He brings a deep understanding of the International Building and Fire Codes, NFPA codes and standards, FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets, and Unified Facilities Criteria (UFCs), making him an asset to any project team.

Melissa Avila, P.E. joins Code Red Consultants as a Project Manager and Fire Protection Engineer with nearly two decades of experience in the research and development of fire protection products. Her deep expertise in sprinklers and special hazard systems brings a valuable technical perspective to the team, shaped by years of hands-on product innovation. With a strong grasp of both the technical and practical aspects of fire protection, Melissa offers a unique lens into industry challenges and opportunities. She is passionate about staying informed on current developments and actively engages with diverse viewpoints shaping the future of fire protection.

Code Red Consultants welcomes three new Life Safety Consultants to our expanding team! We’re excited to continue growing our team and look forward to introducing our latest staff members to our clients and partners in the fire protection and life safety industry.

Jordan Greene-Williams joins Code Red Consultants with over ten years of experience in code compliance and enforcement at the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services. With a strong academic background in fire science, he brings a depth of knowledge in fire protection paired with hands-on field expertise. His work has spanned routine life safety inspections to complex investigations following fatal fires, equipping him with a well-rounded and practical understanding of fire safety challenges. Jordan is known for his commitment to fostering strong, collaborative relationships with local fire departments across the South Shore and Cape Cod regions—partnerships that have been vital in advancing fire prevention and public safety initiatives.

Terrence Benedict joins Code Red Consultants with an educational background in Mechanical Engineering and a strong field services foundation built through two prior internships with our firm. Terrence is deeply committed to creating safe environments for both the public and construction teams, and he thrives in the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of fire protection. Dedicated to continuous learning, he is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering to further expand his expertise and impact in the field.

Kirsten Harrod joins Code Red Consultants as a Life Safety Consultant with an educational background in Industrial Engineering and Management. She has experience in construction project management and manufacturing operations, offering a thoughtful and solutions-oriented perspective. Kirsten thrives in collaborative, fast-paced environments and excels with teammates working toward shared goals. As she kicks off her career at Code Red Consultants, she is eager to deepen her understanding of the fire protection and life safety industry, grow professionally, and contribute meaningful, value-added work to every project she supports.