Expert Details
Fire Origin & Cause- Fire/Building/Life Safety Codes-Fire Dept.Operation/Procedure- Spoliation Issue
ID: 723746
Illinois, USA
Expert provides fire origin and cause investigations, fire consulting, and fire expert witness services throughout the United States and Canada. He is a Certified Fire Investigator with national and international certifications and have conducted thousands of investigations from small equipment to high rise fires.
Types of Investigations
• LP & Natural Gas Fire & Explosions
• Residential, Commercial, Industrial & High Rise
• Auto, Truck & Heavy Equipment
• Mobile Home, RV’s, & Marine
• Commercial Equipment
• Hazardous Sites & Asbestos
Services
• Detailed site examinations to evaluate and analyze the fire loss
• Detailed documentation with photographs, videotaping, diagrams and depiction of the scene
• Comprehensive and objective reports detailing origin, cause and circumstances
• Identify subrogation potential and liability exposure
• Expert testimony and consultation for litigation support
Fire Department Operations
Firefighter Injuries & Operations
Expert will review and analyze fire department management & operations for safety issues and compliance of operational orders as well as accepted practices.
• Communications and Response: Expert analysis of Fire Department records including: communication tapes, computer generated reports, dispatch records, response times and routes for compliance with accepted practices.
• Strategy and Tactics Operations: Expert analysis of strategy and tactics used on the fire ground for safety issues, compliance to accepted principals, practices and operating procedures and guidelines.
• Incident Command & Hazardous Operations: Expert analysis of Incident Command for fire and hazardous zone operations for compliance to accepted principals, practices and operating procedures and guidelines.
• Fire Department Safety & Accountability: Expert analysis of safety operations and personnel accountability used by fire departments. Incident analysis where safety operations and/or accountability were not in place, had failed or were ineffective.
• Injuries or Fatalities to Civilians & Fire Department Personnel: Expert analysis and consultation of fatalities or injuries to civilians or fire personnel. Our experts will analyze through records, communications, scene exam, interviews, and other information acquired to assist in determine the where, what, why, and how the incident occurred.
Arson Defense
Civil Arson & Claim Denial, Criminal Arson & Aggravated Arson Defense
Expert will evaluate and analyze fire incidents well after fire or police have complete their investigation, and provide you with the information necessary to determine the strengths and weaknesses in your case. We provide consultation over a broad field of fire related areas and provide the expert testimony you need. Our experts provide analysis and evaluation, consultation, Expert Testimony and strategy for pending litigation.
Services
• Detailed site examinations and analysis
• Detailed documentation, photographs, videotaping and diagrams
• Detailed review of case documents
• Expert report and opinions
• Consultation for litigation support
• Expert testimony
Cross Examination Strategies
• Provide review of the opposing opinions
• Provide opinions regarding the accuracy and reliability opposing expert opinions
• Provide opinions pertaining to the opposing expert’s opinions, position and professional qualifications
Fire Safety Codes
Smoke Detectors, Life Safety and Fire Code Analysis
Expert will assist in personal injury cases where code compliance is in question. He has provided years of service to attorneys involving personal injury cases where smoke detectors or other building life safety systems are in question. He can provide you with a review and analysis of the subject property and provide information as to code compliance or non-compliance with current or past local or state codes.
Code Compliance
• Building code violations
• Fire code violations
• Life Safety code violations
• Smoke detector violations
• Fire prevention analysis
• Fire safety practices
• Evaluations of proper type of fire and life safety systems
• Provide litigation support in cases involving fire related deaths or injuries attributable to code violations
Fire safety analysis of buildings or operations.Life safety analysis of buildings or operationsLitigation support; case review for fire related lawsuits.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1994 | Degree: Fire Science Technology | Subject: Fire Science | Institution: Oakton College |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2001 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Fire Analyst | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provide consulting and expert witness services for clients in the area of fire origin and cause; fire/building/life safety codes usually involving fire fatalities or fire injuries; fire department operations/procedures/management usually involving firefighter deaths or injuries. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1990 to 2001 | Employer: Probe, Inc. | Title: Fire Analyst | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provide consulting and expert witness services for clients in the area of fire origin and cause; fire/building/life safety codes usually involving fire fatalities or fire injuries; fire department operations/procedures/management usually involving firefighter deaths or injuries. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1969 to 1997 | Employer: Skokie Fire Department | Title: Deputy Fire Chief | Department: Fire Prevention |
Responsibilities:Fire Suppression; Fire Investigation; Fire Prevention; Code Enforcement; Personnel/Administration. |
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Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1969 to 1997 | Agency: Undisclosed | Role: Deputy Fire Chief | Description: As a member of the Fire Department for 28 years he progressed from a firefighter/paramedic to the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Responsibilities included fire investigations; fire prevention and code enforcement; fire department management, etc. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| International Association of Arson Investigators; International Association of Fire Chiefs; National Fire Protection Association; Fire Marshals of North America; National Association of Fire Investigators. |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator; Certified Fire Investigator; Certified Arson Investigator; Certified Fire Officer |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Fire Chief of Skokie Fire Department |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Extensive courtroom and testimony experience in civil and criminal matters, both for plaintiff and defense clients; and in federal, state and local jurisdictions. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Spoliation of evidence |
Fields of Expertise
explosion cause, emergency medical service, arson investigation, National Fire Code, paramedicine, scientific evidence, evidence, accident photography, passive fire protection, case analysis, building safety, electrical wiring standard, BOCA model code, ash electric resistance, electrical safety code, emergency response, arson residue analysis, electrical standard, electrical code