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
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)
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
Carol Duarte
- Associate Director of Facilities Compliance & Emergency Coordination
Carol Duarte serves as associate director of Facilities Compliance & Emergency Coordination. With more than 16 years of experience in safety, security, and regulatory compliance across healthcare and academic settings, she leads the development and oversight of campus-wide compliance and emergency preparedness programs. In her role, Carol manages facility safety inspections, regulatory audits, and emergency response planning to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. She oversees fire safety operations, coordinates fire alarm system maintenance, and serves as a certified FDNY Fire and Life Safety Director and Emergency Action Plan Director for CUIMC.
Carol joined Facilities Management in November 2022 after 13 years at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she managed fire safety programs and emergency operations. Earlier in her career, she worked with Youth Services International, developing safety procedures to protect staff and youth. Carol holds multiple FDNY certifications, as well as OSHA 30 and CPR/First Aid/Medical Emergency credentials.
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
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