I am an expert in fire origin and cause investigation, scene analysis, and reconstruction. My formal education includes a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California (USC). In addition, I completed post graduate work at the National Fire Academy in the Executive Fire Officer (EFO) Program. I hold certifications as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO) with The Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) as well as Chief Officer and Executive Chief Fire Officer through the California State Fire Marshal. I have attended numerous initial, advanced, and continuing education courses and seminars in various aspects of fire investigation.

I have over 30 years of experience in the fire service, 23 years as a Fire Investigator, and have investigated more than 2,500 fires. I was previously a Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) and am currently a California State Fire Marshal instructor for beginning and advanced arson courses. Moreover, I am a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) (CA), and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) through the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).

I am experienced in the insurance investigation field working as a Fire Investigator. I often work for various fire agencies, as well as attorneys as a consultant on complex fire/arson cases. I have testified numerous times in both criminal and civil courts as an expert witness. In addition, I am a frequent lecturer in fire investigation techniques at various training conferences for the IAAI, CCAI, and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

Specialties

• Fire

Subpecialties

• origin and cause investigation
• Arson
• Explosion
• scene reconstruction
• Bad faith claims
• prevention
• Smoke alarm
• Smoke detector
• alarm
• department procedures
• codes