Expert Details
Fire Investigation, Fire and Building Code Analysis, Interpretation
ID: 724076
California, USA
Beginning his career as a firefighter, Expert advanced through the ranks, holding positions as engineer, captain, hazardous materials specialist, and deputy fire marshal. His ongoing commitment to training in fire causation, behavior, suppression, and prevention has provided a robust foundation for his current role as an expert witness and fire investigator.
During his 18 years as a fire investigator, Expert has examined a wide range of fire and explosion incidents, including those involving automobiles, commercial vehicles, residential, and commercial structures. From small appliance fires to large-scale conflagrations, he brings the necessary experience and training to conduct thorough investigations, offer third-party reviews, and provide expert opinions for litigation support.
In addition to his investigative work, Expert is proficient in the Uniform Fire Code, International Fire Code, and referenced codes such as the National Fire Codes and the Uniform/International Building Code. He is an active committee member of the National Code Services Development Committee and a former subcommittee member of the NFPA 1/UFC Code Development Committee. His responsibilities as Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of Downey included construction plan review, code interpretation, and serving as an interdepartmental liaison. He continues to provide consulting services to the City of Downey.
Expert has provided expert services and deposition testimony in several significant cases. In one notable case in Connecticut, he provided expert testimony regarding a fatal apartment fire where numerous fire code violations had gone unaddressed, leading to the victim's inability to escape. His testimony helped establish negligence on the part of the property owner, resulting in a settlement. In another case, he offered expert testimony for the defense in a fire that occurred in a spray painting booth. His evaluation of fire code standards and maintenance procedures for the booth's filters was crucial in reducing the settlement amount by half.
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 Code 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. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2020 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Vice President of Product Development and Chief of Fire Operations | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provide Fire and Building Codes and Standards support, for the development of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) heat detection technology, for residential, commercial, and marine use. Interface with subject matter experts during the design, manufacturing, and testing phases, throughout the product development process. Work closely with local, state, and federal governmental agencies and officials, to ensure all SMA products meet and exceed all applicable codes, standards, and regulations. Coordinate SMA product demonstrations, training, and educational events both nationally and internationally. Participate in applicable fire detection and fire suppression committee meetings, code hearings and/or other subject matter events. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2024 | Employer: Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California | Title: Executive Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:Establish and foster a working relationship with the fire service, the code enforcement community, and the public. Foster the interest of supporting members and others related to the automatic fire sprinkler industry. Engage in public relations to develop and increase consumer demand and business activities. Conduct educational programs for the fire and public officials to understand materials, techniques, and standards to improve the fire sprinkler industry. Represent the members at legislative hearings and organizational or association meetings. Engage in other activities or programs to promote the automatic fire sprinkler industry. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1989 to 2007 | Employer: City of Downey Fire Department | Title: Deputy Fire Marshal/Fire Captain/Fire Investigator | Department: |
Responsibilities:Developed professional and technical fire safety standards under the direction of the Fire Marshal in accordance with departmental guidelines. Conducted 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 expert testimony in criminal and civil trials. Inspected commercial and residential buildings to identify fire and hazardous materials storage and handling hazards. Enforced federal, state, and local codes, references standards and ordinances related to arson, fire prevention, firework safety, hazardous materials, and other fire safety related matters. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1980 to 1989 | Employer: Hughes Aircraft Company | Title: Fire Captain/Hazardous Materials Technician | Department: Fire Department |
Responsibilities:Served as a Firefighter / Fire Inspector / Fire Captain and Hazardous Materials Response Coordinator for military contract facilities and projects. Provided fire suppression activities and emergency medical treatment to the sick and injured. Conducted industrial fire/life safety inspections in accordance with military policy to insure compliance with Fire Life Safety Codes and Standards as well as OSHA requirements. Supervised crew of four firefighters and one engineer. Developed and implemented the company’s fire prevention program and hazardous materials emergency response team. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| Member, California Conference of Arson Investigators Member, International Association of Arson Investigators Member, National Association of Fire Investigators Member, California State Firefighters Association’s Fire and Life Safety Committee Past Member, California State Fire Marshal’s Automatic Extinguishing Systems Committee Past Member, California State Fire Marshal’s Sprinkler Fitter’s Licensing Regulation Committee Past Member, California Fire & Life Safety Building Standards Advisory Board Past Member, NFPA1/Uniform Fire Code Development Committee |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| Fire Prevention: Fire Prevention Officer Level I, II & III- California State Fire Marshal Fire Administration Management 2E - California State Fire Marshal Management of Fire Prevention Programs – National Fire Academy Fire Investigation: Licensed Private Investigator – Bureau of Security and Investigative Services Certified Fire Investigator – International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator – National Association of Fire Investigators Certified Fire Investigator – California Conference of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator Instructor – National Association of Fire Investigators Fire Investigator Level I & II - California State Fire Marshal PC 832 - Powers of Arrest /Firearms - California Peace Officer’s Commission Post Blast Training Certification – F.B.I. / L.A. Sheriff’s Dept. Former Special Deputy – United States Marshals Service Hazardous Materials: Certified Hazardous Materials Technician - California State Fire Marshal Hazardous Waste Management Training - 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 Hazmat Emergency Notification and Reporting Enforcement - US EPA |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Executive Director, Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California (14 years) Underwriters Laboratory's Technical Standards Committee for Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets Past President, Los Angeles Area Fire Marshals Association Past Fire Prevention Chair, LA Area Fire Chiefs Association Past President, Area “E” Arson Task Force |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| Firefighter of the Year - Downey Mason's |
| Medical / Professional |
|---|
| Fire Investigation/Fire & Building Code Instructor - International Association of Arson Investigators Contract Fire Expert - 201X Fire Department Evaluation Process in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Provides fire investigation services for the City of Placentia |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| Provides on camera Fire Expertise for CNN News, HLN, Primetime Justice and other local news stations. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| Qualified and provided expert testimony at 49 depositions and 21 trials. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Accumulated over 3000 hours of training from various accredited colleges, with a concentrated course of study in the fire and building codes, fire investigation and hazardous materials management. |
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