Fire Investigator / Consultant

Expert Witness No. 636

EDUCATION

• A.S. - Seminole Community College, Oklahoma, 1975

• EFO - National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 1994

• Certified Fire Investigator - International Association of   Arson Investigators, 1994&1999

• Fire Investigator, National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NPQ)

• Fire Inspector/Fire Protection Specialist-USAF School of Applied Aerospace Sciences

• Certified/Sworn Police Officer - Georgia Police Officer Standards and Training Council

• National Fire Protection Association 101 Life Safety Code

• Railroad Grade Crossing Accident Investigation-North Central Georgia

BIOGRAPHY

Served his country honorably during the Viet Nam War in the United States Navy as a Radioman Petty Officer Third Class. Employed by the Department of   Defense at Tinker  Air Force Base, Oklahoma as an Aircraft Crash/Structural Firefighter and Fire Inspector. Joined the City  of  Canton, Georgia as their   Fire Chief. Duties and responsibilities have been many including the development and execution of  fire prevention ordinances and laws, determining cause and origin of  fires, arrest and prosecution of  arsonist, expert testimony by depositions and court room appearances in state and federal courts.

Graduate of  the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and earned an Associate of  Science Degree from Seminole Community College. Fire Safety Instructor for  the Georgia Police Officer's Standard and Training Council and holds many certifications for  completed training in fire investigations. Speaker at arson seminars and has appeared on CNN  Talk   Back  Live. He was actively involved in the Oklahoma City Bombing multi-agency command center.

Managed and participated in investigations of  very large monetary losses. As Fire Inspector  for Tinker Air Force Base he experienced the destruction by fire, the participation in the investigation of cause and origin and litigation to determine the responsibility for  fire loss of  more than 148 million dollars from one single building fire. Led investigations of  attempted murder by fire, arson by volunteer firefighters, and several arson for  profit cases more recently. He is licensed as a private investigator.

Investigate and analyze fire and explosion incidents. Render opinion as to origin, cause, responsibility, or prevention of  such incidents. The compilation of  factual data is accomplished objectively and truthfully through the use of   logical, systematic examination practices and the process or recreating the physical scene through removal of  debris and the replacement of  contents or   structural elements in their pre-fire or  pre-explosion position. Prepare thorough written reports for  future use.

Management of  fire department: operational and prevention. Command incidents such as structural fires, hazardous materials incidents, weather-related catastrophes, aircraft crashes, railroad fires/crashes, and other  emergencies. Investigate all fire incidents to determine origin and cause. Identify suspects and witnesses for  criminal and civil courts. Prepare affidavits and arrest warrants and executes warrants when necessary. Insure compliance of  all local and state fire codes and ordinances. Conduct educational training  for  firefighting personnel and general public. Perform public appearances for speaking engagements when invited.

Conducted fire inspections of  military installation facilities which included aircraft hangars, jet engine repair shops, hazardous materials storage, below ground and above ground fuel farms, flight line ramps and runways, office areas, munitions storage areas and other duties. This military installation employed in excess of   twenty-five thousand civil service employees and eight thousand military personnel.

Fire Investigation Training:

• IAAI - Oklahoma Chapter 1983,1984,1985

• IAAI - Mississippi Chapter 1994

• IAAI - Georgia Chapter 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

• LP/Natural Gas  Fire Investigation, 1994

• Fire Investigation/Insurance Cooperation, 1994

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:

• International Association of  Arson Investigators

• Georgia Fire Investigators Association

• National Fire Protection Association

• International Association of  Fire Chiefs

• Georgia Association of  Fire Chiefs (District 3 Vice President)