Expert Details
Fire Investigation; Fire and Building Code Analysis, Interpretation
ID: 724076
California, USA
Expert is a 26 year fire service veteran working his way up through the ranks from firefighter, engineer, captain, hazardous materials specialist and deputy fire marshal. During his career, Expert has maintained an active training agenda in fire causation, fire behavior, fire suppression and fire prevention which has provided a solid foundation for his current career as an expert witness and fire investigator.
During his 18 year career as fire investigator, Expert has investigated over 3000 fires and explosions which has included automobiles, commercial vehicles, residential and commercial structures with varying fire origin and cause. From small appliance fires to large conflagrations, Expert has the experience and training necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation and/or provide third party review and expert opinion for litigation support.
In addition to his extensive experience as fire investigator, Expert is well versed in the Uniform Fire Code/International Fire Code and referenced codes such as the National Fire Codes and the Uniform/International Building Code. Expert currently serves as a committee member of the National Code Services Development Committee and is past subcommittee member of the NFPA 1/UFC Code Development Committee. During his career as Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of Downey, Expert's responsibilities included, construction plan review, code interpretation and interdepartmental liaison for the fire department. Expert continues to provide consulting services to the City of Downey.
Provided expert services and deposition testimony for plaintiff regarding a fire fatality in Connecticut where numerous fire code violations prevented the victim from being alerted and escaping a fully involved structure fire in a large apartment complex. The apartment complex has been cited on numerous occasions by the local fire department for fire code violations of which the owner failed to correct. Expert conducted an in depth review of the investigation and researched historical inspection records and provided testimony that had the violations been corrected the fatality would have been prevented. Case was settled as it was determined that the property owner was negligent by not correcting the noted fire code violations.Provided expert services and deposition testimony on behalf of defense regarding a fire that occurred in a spray painting booth while workers were installing fire sprinklers inside the booth. While drilling into the top of the metal spray booth, a fire of unknown origin started in the "plenum" space of the booth which quickly grew in size due to the owner failing to maintain and remove the combustible filters. Expert evaluated the standard of care for "Spray Booth" maintenance as required by the fire code and provided testimony that the contaminated filters were a significant factor in fire spread which caused an estimated fire loss of over 1 million dollars. The case settled for approximately half of the original claim.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
---|---|---|---|
Year: 1994 | Degree: Certificate of Completion | Subject: Fire Science | Institution: Long Beach City College |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
---|---|---|---|
Years: 2006 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President, Fire/Life Safety Consultant, Certified Fire Investigator, Private Investigator | Department: |
Responsibilities:Perform and or coordinate fire and explosion investigations in Residential, Commercial, and Manufacturing facilities. Provide a complete and comprehensive third-party review of fire/explosion incidents which may include failure analysis and fire/building code review. Provide contract "Fire Marshal" services for governmental agencies which include plan review,fire/life safety inspections of commercial and residential buildings, fire alarm systems, fire protection systems, and hazardous materials facilities, processes, and equipment. Provide expert witness testimony relating to fire origin and cause as well as fire and building code compliance issues. Provide fire and life safety consulting services to local fire departments. |
|||
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1989 to 2007 | Employer: City of Downey Fire Department | Title: Deputy Fire Marshal/Fire Investigator/Hazardous Materials Specialist | Department: Fire Investigation/Fire Prevention Division |
Responsibilities:His responsibilities included the development of professional and technical fire safety standards under the direction of the Fire Chief in accordance with departmental guidelines. He conducted training programs for both law enforcement and fire personnel relating to arson detection, investigation, preservation of evidence and hazardous material spill incident response. He has conducted over 1000 cause and origin investigations, which includes case development and testimony as an expert witness in criminal and civil trials. He has Inspected both commercial and residential buildings to identify fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state statutes. |
|||
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1980 to 1989 | Employer: Hughes Aircraft Company Fire Department | Title: Fire Captain/Firefighter/Hazardous Materials Specialiste | Department: Fire Suppression/Fire Prevention/Fire Investigation |
Responsibilities:Expert served as a Firefighter / Fire Inspector / Fire Captain and Hazardous Materials Response Specialist. He performed fire suppression activities, conducted industrial fire/life safety inspections to insure compliance with both the California Fire Code and OSHA regulations and provided emergency medical care. Expert supervised a crew of four firefighters and one engineer. Expert was responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s hazardous materials response program. |
Government Experience
Years | Agency | Role | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Years: 1989 to 2007 | Agency: City of Downey | Role: Deputy Fire Marshal/Hazardous Materials Supervisor | Description: Responsibilities include the development of professional and technical fire safety standards under the direction of the Fire Marshal in accordance with departmental guidelines. Conduct training programs for law enforcement and fire safety personnel related to arson detection, preservation of evidence and hazardous material spill incident response. Conducted over 1000 cause and origin investigations, which includes case development and testimony as an expert witness in criminal and civil trials when called. Inspect commercial and residential buildings to identify fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state statutes. |
Career Accomplishments
Associations / Societies |
---|
Executive Director of the Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California (2007 to present) Underwriters Laboratory's Technical Standards Committee for Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets Member of the California State Fire Marshal’s Automatic Extinguishing Systems Committee Member of the California State Fire Marshal’s Sprinkler Fitter’s Licensing Regulation Committee Member of the California Conference of Arson Investigators Member of the International Association of Arson Investigators Member of the National Association of Fire Investigators Member of the California Fire & Life Safety Building Standards Advisory Board Past Member of the NFPA1/Uniform Fire Code Development Committee Past President of the Los Angeles Area Fire Marshals Association Past Fire Prevention Chair for the LA Area Fire Chiefs Association Past President of the Area “E” Arson Task Force |
Licenses / Certifications |
---|
Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI) Licensed Private Investigator (State of California) Fire Prevention Officer Level I, II & III- (California State Fire Marshal) Fire Investigation (California State Fire Marshal) Management of Fire Prevention Programs (National Fire Academy) PC 832 - Powers of Arrest /Firearms (California Peace Officer’s Commission) Bomb Recognition Certification (F.B.I. / L.A. Sheriff’s Dept.) Former Special Deputy (United States Marshals Service) Certified Hazardous Materials Technician (California State Fire Marshal) Hazardous Waste Management (University of Irvine) Hazardous Materials Investigations (Department of Treasury) Hazmat IC/Scene Manager (California Specialized Training Institute) Hazardous Materials Laws and Regulations (University of Riverside) Hazardous Materials Emergency Notification and Reporting Enforcement (US EPA) |
Professional Appointments |
---|
Executive Director of the Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California Past President of the Los Angeles Area Fire Marshal's Association Past President of the Areas "E" Arson Task Force Board Member of the Forensic Expert Witness Association |
Awards / Recognition |
---|
Firefighter of the Year - Downey Mason's |
Additional Experience
Expert Witness Experience |
---|
He has qualified as and expert witness and has testified as an expert witness in both civil and criminal deposition/trials in both state and federal court. |
Training / Seminars |
---|
Expert has provided instruction for the City of Downey, Southern California Insurance Fraud Investigators Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, California Conference of Arson Investigators and Pyrocop, Inc. as follows: NFPA 921, "Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations", NFPA 1/Uniform Fire Code, California Fire Code, Incendiary Devices, Uniform Fire Code Overview, Advanced Plan Review, High Piled Storage, Hazardous Materials Storage and Handling, Fire Investigation and the Fire Code. |
Other Relevant Experience |
---|
PRESENTATIONS/ARTICLES/ACTIVITIES: Fire Investigation/Fire & Building Code Instructor for International Association of Arson Investigators Providing "Pro Bono" fire investigation services for a cold case death investigation in Balmedie, UK Provide on camera Fire Expertise for CNN News, HLN, Primetime Justice, and other local news stations. Currently provide fire consulting and plan review services for the Cities of Downey and Santa Fe Springs |
Fields of Expertise
arson investigation, case investigation, fire, fire sprinkler system, fire cause, fire damage, fire origin, fire investigation, investigation, aircraft explosion, aircraft fire, Uniform Fire Code, National Fire Code, National Fire Protection Association code, Standard Fire Code, commercial gas appliance, industrial fire, alarm system standard, building compliance, law enforcement training, case analysis, inspector training, fire suppression system, flame propagation, explosive train, flame detection, fire fighting, firewall (construction), duct fire, vent fire, flame-retardant fabric, fire extinguisher, firestop, firestop material, flame detector, fire resistance, textile fire accident investigation, flame-retardant product, life safety, fire risk analysis, ignition source, explosives ignition, incendiary device, incendiary material, construction safety management, explosion prevention, explosive initiation, fire egress system, fire detector, electrical fire, fire prevention, alarm system design, fault tree analysis, autoignition, fire-resistant coating material, fire alarm, flash point, arson residue analysis, fire protection, ignition, explosion, safety engineering, flame, flame-retardant chemical, flame chemistry, fire safety code, fire safety, fire pump, fire alarm system, explosion investigation