Carla Jo Drake modernizes fire protection at Idaho National Laboratory

Carla Jo Drake, senior manager of fire protection engineering at Battelle Energy Alliance, is being recognized for more than 35 years of work modernizing fire protection systems at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. Her career spans NFPA compliance, infrastructure reliability, and leadership on major upgrades that support the lab’s nuclear and clean energy missions.

Why it matters: - Idaho National Laboratory depends on reliable fire protection to safeguard workers, protect specialized research, and keep national missions running without interruption. - Drake’s work has helped modernize systems across a large, multi-facility site with nuclear, laboratory, and support operations. - Fire protection at a national laboratory requires inspection, testing, maintenance, and alarm systems built for high-reliability environments.

What happened: - Influential Women highlighted Carla Jo Drake, senior manager of fire protection engineering at Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, on Oct. 28, 2026. - Battelle Energy Alliance manages and operates Idaho National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy. - Drake has more than 35 years of experience at INL. - Her career has focused on fire protection engineering, systems inspection, testing and maintenance, NFPA and DOE compliance, infrastructure and asset management, and life cycle maintenance.

The details: - Drake started at INL as a quality inspection intern and later moved through roles in facilities management, training and information support, information technology, business systems, and fire protection maintenance and engineering. - She led major computerized maintenance management system initiatives and Six Sigma process improvements that produced millions of dollars in annual operational savings. - Drake built INL’s fire protection systems inspection, testing, and maintenance program from the ground up. - The program reached full National Fire Protection Association compliance. - She led a modernization of the laboratory’s fire alarm communication infrastructure. - The project was planned for five years and finished in three through strategic prioritization and teamwork. - In her current role, Drake leads modernization of INL’s enterprise fire protection and detection systems. - She also develops long-term strategies for facilities maintenance and information systems. - Her awards include the Director’s Recognition Award for Innovative Leadership, the Director’s Award for Safety Excellence, and the Leadership Core Values Award. - She also received lab-level nominations for her impact on management and operations. - Drake earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Idaho State University and an MBA from Purdue Global. - She completed her education while raising her children. - She is active in the Society of Women Engineers, the National Fire Protection Association, the National Fire Sprinkler Association, Women in Nuclear, and Energy Facility Contractors Group communities of practice. - The article notes that NFPA 25 sets inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements for water-based fire protection systems, and NFPA 72 governs fire alarm and signaling systems. - Reliable fire protection supports uninterrupted operations at INL’s reactors, laboratories, and support facilities across its desert site.

Between the lines: - Drake’s career path shows how broad operational experience can translate into leadership in mission-critical engineering systems. - Her progression from intern to senior manager also reflects the value of internal talent development at a complex federal research site. - The profile frames mentoring as part of Drake’s leadership approach, not just technical execution. - Drake says she learned that asking hard questions and finding the answers built trust over time. - She credits embracing new opportunities, adapting to change, and working collaboratively with helping her build programs from the ground up. - Her advice to younger women is to lead with confidence and not let a male-dominated environment limit their potential.

What's next: - Drake says mentoring and developing the next generation of professionals is one of the biggest opportunities in her field. - She plans to keep supporting women entering the industry by sharing experience and encouraging confidence. - Outside work, Drake volunteers with local food banks and supports other community initiatives. - Influential Women is using her profile to amplify her story and broader message about leadership, service, and perseverance.

The bottom line: - Drake’s career combines technical modernization, compliance, and mentorship, making her a key figure in protecting the infrastructure that supports Idaho National Laboratory’s mission.