FIRE PROTECTION GROUP - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Chief
• Consultant
• Los Angeles Fire Department Chief

Chief Al Hernandez, Los Angeles Fire Department chief- retired. Prior to joining Fire Protection Group, Inc. Chief Hernandez was employed by the Los Angeles Fire Department for over 32 years. He started with the LAFD as an inspector and was promoted to Fire Chief. He retired in 2008. While Chief was employed by the LAFD, he wrote several codes and was in charge of the Fire Prevention Bureau. Since joining Fire Protection Group, Inc., Chief Hernandez has handled numerous cases for clients at the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety and obtained better than expected results due to his extensive knowledge of codes and relationships with city officials. Al Hernandez is Chief Consultant at Fire Protection Group, and one of Los Angeles' most esteemed fire safety experts. Authority in his field We're proud to have a former LAFD Chief as one of our team members. Al Hernandez retired from the LAFD in 2008 after working there for 32 years. He began his career as an inspector for the Fire department, and in his time there, he was eventually promoted to Chief. Similar to George Saadian, it was Al's job to work on changes to fire codes, although his function within the Fire department itself was vastly different. In addition to drafting codes, he functioned as an inspector, and later led the LAFD's Fire Prevention Bureau. This organization focused on fire suppression, investigating the causes and circumstances of fires. They also eliminated hazards and, notably, inspected and maintained fire protection systems. During his time at this bureau, he learned a business friendly approach to fire protection, and this shines through in his work with Fire Protection Group, Inc.

Brian Auchter has been with FPG since 1988. Upon joining Fire Protection Group, Inc., he started as a fire sprinkler pipe fitter and worked his way up to foreman, superintendent and project manager. He completed his education in fire sprinkler pipe fitters training. Brian, is a certified welder, and also certified by the LAFD as a Regulation #4 tester and by all fire departments within the state of California to perform testing for all water delivery fire protection systems, fire alarm and fire escape systems.

Job Titles:

• Captain

David "Dave" Myers was the pillar of Los Angeles Fire Department's ("LAFD") Construction Services for 28 years . Prior to his retirement from LAFD, he worked in various capacities as a plan reviewer, technical expert, and manager. His last position with LAFD was the Fire Protection Engineer in charge of Fire Life Safety Plan Check and Permitting, until he retired. During his 28 years at the City of Los Angeles Fire Department, Mr. Myers was in charge of most major projects in the city of Los Angeles. The following are a list of a few projects that he handled: George Lucas Museum. Los Angeles Football Club (Soccer Stadium). Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum renovations. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal renovations, LAX new Midfield Satellite Concourse Terminal, and LAX Landside Access Modernization Project. Westfield Century City Mall renovation. Westfield Topanga Village Mall. Korean Air Tower (Wilshire Grand). USC Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience building. Multiple new and/or "historical" high-rise buildings. Development of the current Los Angeles Fire Code. Development of the current Citywide Methane Ordinance. Development of the Fire Department's Certified Unified Hazardous Materials Program. Mr. Myers has 28 years of experience in fire protection engineering, fire life safety systems, hazardous materials management, and a thorough understanding of the State of California's Fire and Building Codes. He is experienced in interpreting and enforcing the State's Fire & Building Codes, as adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and assisting architects, engineers, and developers with alternate methods of code compliance. Upon retirement, he joined Fire Protection Group, Inc. as a fire life safety consultant. And he is working side by side with his former boss, Retired Chief Al Hernandez of LAFD; and George Saadian. The Fire Protection Group, Inc. family is proud to have Dave a part of the team. With vast experience in LAFD rules and regulations and fire code, he can handle any fire life safety project consulting and entitlement for the clients of Fire Protection Group, Inc.

Job Titles:

• General Manager and Lead Engineer

George Saadian, general manager and lead engineer at Fire Protection Group, Inc. since 1984. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles. In addition, he completed the training programs in fire sprinkler design and fire sprinkler pipe fitting both under the auspices of the American Fire Sprinkler Association. George joined Fire Protection Group, Inc. in 1985, and has over 29 years of experience in the field of fire protection.

Job Titles:

• Estimator
• Office Manager
• Purchasing Manager

Louise Tchaman, estimator, office manager, and purchasing manager. She has been with FPG Inc. since 1985. She has 25 years of experience in managing company projects and purchases material for upcoming projects and inventory.

Tim Alvarado joined FPG Inc in 1986. Tim is a fire sprinkler designer with extensive experience in AutoCAD and hydraulic calculations and engineering of fire sprinkler systems. Upon joining Fire Protection Group, Inc., he was a fire sprinkler pipe fitter and worked his way up to foreman, then to superintendent, design engineer and project manager. He also completed his education in fire sprinkler pipe fitters training and fire sprinkler engineering and design. Tim is well respected by plan checkers and inspectors across southern California. Fire Department officials regularly consult with Tim on fire sprinkler and NFPA standards due to his vast knowledge of codes.

William Samoska, ESQ. is our in-house attorney. He specializes in construction and fire sprinkler law and has represented clients at city attorney hearings and boards of various building departments and fire departments.