We know OUR PEOPLE are our strength and the reason we are the fire engineers of choice for so many of our clients.
Our team is filled with dynamic, diverging and inquisitive personalities from all over the world, together they foster the positive culture that we’re so proud of.
In 2019 we found a further 25 people internationally who embodied the Holmes energy. Find out how the four new members of our Australian team have found life at Holmes so far.
SELENA CHIN
Fire Engineer
SYD
Selena is a recent graduate from the University of Maryland, receiving her Master of Science in Fire Protection in December 2018. She made the big move across the world to join the Sydney team in February 2019. Selena has worked on a variety of buildings in different project sections since joining Holmes Fire, but has been especially involved in projects with residential buildings.
Selena brings a fresh perspective to the projects she works on from her experience in the US and is utilising her student knowhow to establish herself as a speed report writer within the team. Selena is attentive and thorough in her understanding of new projects, which coupled with her keen interest in problem-solving makes her an asset to any project team.
What attracted you to Holmes Fire?
Holmes Fire offered a multinational experience with many UMD alums to vouch for the company.
How have you found it so far?
Great – company culture is unrivalled and I’m learning new things everyday.
What do you love and what do you hate about fire engineering?
I love the purpose it serves and how every project is different, but fire engineering is still relatively unknown and doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
How do you recharge when work’s out?
In my free time, I like to play soccer (when I’m not injured), explore Sydney, and bake. I have just started a volunteer coaching position for the 2020 season, coaching an All Age Women’s Division 2 soccer team.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working at Holmes Fire right now?
The body has always fascinated me, especially given my affinity for sports. I think if I weren’t working as a Fire Engineer, I would be in school studying to be a physiotherapist.
JARED MATTERN
Fire Engineer
SYD
Jared joined the Holmes Fire Sydney team in April 2019 following an extended holiday, travelling through Asia.
With over 5 years’ experience as a Fire Protection Engineer in San Francisco, Jared has worked extensively on large scale residential and commercial projects. He is especially familiar with performance-based solutions for atria and complex smoke control. Jared enjoys problem solving with innovative technical solutions – his projects of choice are often unique and challenging, requiring his technical eye to solve any technical conflicts and increase design flexibility.
What attracted you to Holmes Fire?
I had some interaction with Holmes Fire while working in San Francisco. They appeared to be trying to innovate more than just providing standard design advice. When I had finally decided to move to Australia, I knew I wanted to pursue a career with Holmes Fire.
How have you found it so far?
The transition to Sydney and primarily Performance-based Fire Engineering has been a refreshing change of pace, allowing for a greater opportunity to learn and be creative.
What do you love and what do you hate about fire engineering?
The variety of the work. Each project is so different, giving me many opportunities to learn across several different topics. The variety of projects also means you do not typically get stuck working the same project all day everyday, for months or years on end, keeping me from getting bored. Litigation and legislation can impact the approval process, making it more difficult to receive approval for sound technical solutions – often not because of the contents of the science itself but the current public zeitgeist on a topic.
How do you recharge when work’s out?
Travelling is my recharge. Exploring another country with little more than a backpack allows for a different perspective of your life/world.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working at Holmes Fire right now?
If I hadn’t gone down the path of Fire Engineering that led me to Holmes Fire I would be working as a Structural Engineer somewhere in the States.
SILVIA PARRA
Fire Engineer
SYD
Silvia joined Holmes Fire Sydney after completing her International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering, a specialised Fire Safety degree that involves studying at three prominent universities around Europe over two years. The universities Silvia attended to attain this degree include the University of Edinburgh (UK), Lund University (Sweden) and Ghent University (Belgium).
Silvia inclination towards fire engineering began through her previous position in her home country, Colombia, which involved the coordination of design projects and designing active fire protection systems.
Silvia has experience working on projects in a range of sectors including residential, education and healthcare. Her expertise in BIM and modelling applications is a valuable addition to any project, which she’s always happy to share with the team.
What attracted you to Holmes Fire?
Holmes Fire is well known in the Fire Engineering field around the world. I came to know about Holmes Fire by information coming from the United States while I was in Europe. Then I found out that Holmes Fire is the most experienced fire engineering firm in Australasia and this definitely caught my attention.
How have you found it so far?
Holmes Fire is great. I like the collaborative environment in the office. Everyone is willing to help, to guide on technical matters and to share their knowledge with the less experienced ones.
What do you love and what do you hate about fire engineering?
What I love of Fire Engineering is being able to apply engineering concepts to increase the level of safety of occupants in a building. It is rewarding to know that we are working for the wellbeing of people.
What I find the less enjoyable is the little relevance that some people think Fire Engineering has in their projects. Some underestimate the involvement of a fire engineering team in the early stages of a project and then struggle to rectify mistakes when the construction process is already too advanced.
How do you recharge when work’s out?
Food always gives me a big boost when I need some energy. I keep little chocolates or cookies with me. Lately, I’m becoming a big fan of the coffee available in the office.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working at Holmes Fire right now?
Most likely, I would be working in my home country in the design or installation of fire protection systems since what we know here in Australia as Performance-Based Design is not applied there. With a bit of luck, I would be working for another fire engineering consultancy company, possibly outside Australia.
MICHAEL TSITOVITCH
Senior Fire Engineer
MELB
The newest addition to the team, Michael joined the Melbourne team in December – just in time for the end of year party! Michael’s experience in the Australian construction industry began as an engineering intern during his undergraduate studies until he joined the field as a qualified engineer in 2014. Conveniently receiving his C10 accreditation within weeks of joining Holme Fire, Michael has been a valuable addition to the senior team, bringing experience from his work on a wide range of projects including mixed-use developments, residential, infrastructure, commercial, entertainment, healthcare, childcare, aged care and education.
Michael is especially experienced in large scale mixed-use, airport, and entertainment projects requiring the use of fire engineering software and tools to develop fire and life safety strategies. His experience in both fire safety and fire services has allowed Michael to develop exceptional project management and communication skills. With the end goal always in mind, Michael works closely with other engineering disciplines and project stakeholders to ensure fire engineered solutions are customised, sound and commercially viable.
What attracted you to Holmes Fire?
Holmes Fire has always been a trusted name in the industry including representation at various professional bodies, committees, and government inquiries, as well as possessing an impressive range of project involvement. When a current employee reached out and let me know Holmes Fire was hiring, I was very sceptical hearing that the only negative about working at Holmes Fire was the office location being one block too far from a particular public transport stop!
Having met with some of the senior staff, it quickly became apparent that Holmes Fire would be a great fit for both my professional and personal aspirations.
How have you found it so far?
The Holmes Fire ‘family’ have welcomed me with open arms. It is an absolute pleasure to be working alongside this group of bright-minded individuals. The friendly back and forth banter has been a welcome part of the overall laidback office vibe.
What do you love and what do you hate about fire engineering?
Fire engineering is an ever-evolving field that combines aspects of mechanical, electrical, structural, fire protection and chemical engineering disciplines together with building law and human behaviour. This diversity is one of the major drawcards to fire engineering. One thing that frustrates me is the inconsistency in the approval processes between states and territories, as well as the registration of fire engineers.
How do you recharge when work’s out?
By standing next to a power point…
In all seriousness though, spending time in the great outdoors as well as with family and friends are my ‘from where you’d rather be’.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working at Holmes Fire right now?
Flying has always captured my imagination. If it weren’t for Holmes Fire I could see myself as a pilot, preferably in a fighter jet. Over the years I have developed a great respect for the fire brigades – so alternatively, I imagine firefighting would also be a rewarding career.
If you’re looking for a change and you think the Holmes culture might be a fit for you, visit our Careers page to see if there’s a role you
Or just get in touch, we’d love to hear from other like-minded people out there who believe they’re what we’re missing.