Contact Us

Contact one of our Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance team members to discuss any facilities-related compliance matters, or to share your ideas for improving campus safety and accessibility.

For general fire safety questions, email cumcfiresafety@columbia.edu.

Meet Our Team

  • Yvonne Wojcicki

    • Executive Director, Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance
    Yvonne Wojcicki
  • Julio Basabe

    • Fire Safety Specialist, Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance

    Julio Basabe began his career at Columbia University Irving Medical Center as a fire safety specialist in 2016, following two successful years as a fire alarm technician in the private sector. Julio is an expert troubleshooter of the many complex fire systems in place across campus. He inspects, tests, and maintains CUIMC fire alarm and fire suppression systems and leads fire drills.

    While in the private sector, Julio gained proficiency and competency in the supervision and management of fire detection, protection, and suppression systems. This familiarity, coupled with a good working knowledge of the New York City and national fire code requirements, led to a smooth transition to the Fire Safety team at CUIMC.

    In his spare time, Julio enjoys hiking, mastering the game of shogi, and tending to an indoor garden with his wife.

    Certifications

    • Fire Alarm Systems Technician, National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, 2015
    • New York City Fire Department Certificates of Fitness:
      • F-01, Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment
      • F-03, Indoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel
      • F-04, Temporary Indoor/Outdoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel
      • F-60, Fire Guard For Torch Operations and Construction Sites
      • P-98, Fuel-Oil Piping and Storage System
      • S-12, Citywide Sprinkler Systems
      • S-13, Citywide Standpipe Systems
      • S-14, Standpipe for Multi-Zone System
      • S-95, Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems
      • T-89, Temporary Fire Life Safety Director
      • W-07, Fire and Emergency Drill Conductor (Citywide)
    Julio Basabe
  • John Biggs

    • Associate Director, Facilities Compliance

    John Biggs joined Campus Life Safety & Regulatory Compliance in 2017 and was promoted in 2022 to associate director of Facilities Compliance, where he coordinates regulatory compliance activities in the Facilities Management department and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders. He also oversees and assists in planning, organizing, and directing all Site Safety and Compliance Manager activities.

    John first joined the medical center in October 2011, working in Public Safety first as a sergeant; he was then promoted to manager of Technology and Projects in September 2013. He is now a fire safety director for the Russ Berrie Medical Science Pavilion, and has held that qualification for five years with CUIMC and for 15 years while he worked for NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. John also has a bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

    Certifications

    • New York City Fire Department Certificates of Fitness
      • F-85 Certificates of Fitness as Fire Safety Director with Active Shooter and Medical Emergency Preparedness
      • S-56 Certificate of Fitness as Construction Site Fire Safety Manager
      • F-89 Certificate of Fitness as Fire Life and Safety Director for the ARB building
    • OSHA 10 hour certification
    • NYC Department of Buildings 4-Hour Supported Scaffold User
    • NYC Department of Buildings Site Safety Coordinator 
    • NYS Division of Criminal Justice, General Topics Security Guard Instructor
    • MOAB Training International, Management of Aggressive Behavior Instructor
    • Numerous FEMA courses
    • OSHA 30 hour certification
    John Biggs
  • Mensa Dilligard

    • Fire Safety Specialist, Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance

    Mensa Dilligard joined Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance as a fire safety specialist in mid-2017. He previously worked with TSS, our fire alarm maintenance vendor, and was able to bring to the team a deep familiarity of the medical center campus and fire alarm panels.

    Previously, he served as an assistant manager for Walgreens for six years.

    Certifications

    •  New York City Fire Department Certificates of Fitness:
      • S-98, Fire Alarm Systems Inspection, Testing, and Service Technician
      • S-78, Cleaning & Testing of Smoke Detectors Citywide
    • Electrical apprentice certification 

     

    Mensa Dilligard
  • Carol Duarte

    • Site Safety and Compliance Manager

    Carol Duarte joined the Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance team in November 2022. Carol is an experienced safety and compliance professional with more than 16 years of experience in the security and safety industry. Carol’s passion for safety can be tracked back to her start in the security and safety field in 2006 with Youth Services International, where she spent significant time working on safety procedures and protocols for the benefit of both staff and juveniles. In 2009, Carol transitioned into healthcare and security/safety at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s Security department where she held various roles including working for the Investigations unit and hospital ID center. In her latest position as a Fire Safety Specialist, she gained unparalleled experience in fire safety, compliance, as well as ILSM (Interim Life Safety Measures) program management while also establishing herself as a respected Fire Safety Director. 

    As a Site Safety and Compliance Manager at CUIMC, she looks forward to mainstreaming her past work experiences while learning and contributing to her team’s growth. 

    Carol Duarte
  • Malik Mercedes

    • Fire Safety Specialist
    Malik Mercedes, Fire Safety Specialist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
  • Hector Nieves

    • Fire Safety Specialist, Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance

    Hector Nieves began his career at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in 2015 as a security officer in Public Safety, where he eventually became a supervisor. In 2016, he joined Facilities Management and Campus Services, where, as a fire safety specialist, he is a vital part of the Fire Safety team. Hector implements and administers systems, technologies, and processes to protect CUIMC against fire and non-fire emergencies. His responsibilities include inspecting, testing, and maintaining fire alarm and fire suppression systems and running fire drills on campus.

    For more than eight years, Hector served in the United States Army, where he gained insight into information technology and communications; he also earned a bachelor's degree in business management. His pastimes include cooking and creating dishes. When he is not playing ping pong and billiards with family and friends, he can be found reading a good book.

    Certifications

    New York City Fire Department Certificates of Fitness:

    • F-01, Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment
    • F-03, Indoor Place of Assembly
    • F-04, City Wide Indoor/Outdoor Place of Assembly
    • F-60, Fire Guard For Torch Operations and Construction Sites
    • S-12, City Wide Sprinkler System
    • S-13, City Wide Standpipe System
    • S-14, Standpipe for Multi-Zone System
    • S-95, Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems
    • T-89, Temporary Fire Life Safety Director
    • W-07, City Wide Fire and Emergency Drill Conductor
    Hector Nieves
  • Matthew O’Hanlon

    • Director of Fire Safety Operations, Campus Life Safety and Regulatory Compliance

    A seasoned fire safety professional, Matthew O’Hanlon brings 21 years of experience with the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) to Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Matt joined CUIMC in 2013 as a fire safety officer for Environmental Health and Safety and was promoted to director of fire safety operations for Facilities Management and Campus Services in 2016. He has built and leads a team of fire safety specialists dedicated to enhancing fire and non-fire emergency procedures and preparedness across the campus. His work includes developing and implementing fire safety procedures, emergency fire response and evacuation procedures and preparedness, fire safety programs and training, fire prevention initiatives and building inspections, fire drills, and fire detection and suppression equipment and systems maintenance and monitoring.

    Matt has extensive practical experience from his time with FDNY, where he advanced to positions of increased responsibility, beginning with lieutenant in 2002 and ending with captain in 2007. He received a bachelor's degree in business management from William Paterson University.

    Certifications

    New York City Fire Department Certificates of Fitness:

    • F-03, Indoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel
    • F-04, Temp Indoor/Outdoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel
    • F-85, Fire Safety Director with Active Shooter and Medical Emergency Preparedness
    • S-95, Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and other Related Systems
    • W-07, Fire and Emergency Drill Conductor (Citywide)

    Affiliations

    • Member, Fire Safety Directors Association of Greater New York
    Matthew O'Hanlon