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Expert in Fire Investigation; Fire and Building Code Analysis and Interpretation
Available for your Consulting and Expert Witness Needs
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Summary of Expertise:
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Listed with other top experts in: |
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Expert has extensive experience in the investigation of intentionally set fires. He has investigated over 3000 fires during his career as a Municipal Fire Investigator working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and has been deputized as a special deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service. Expert has testified as an expert witness on criminal arson cases in the Los Angeles County Superior Court System.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Show Secondary and Basic Areas of Expertise | Localities:
Expert may consult nationally and internationally, and is also local to the following cities: Los Angeles, California;
San Diego, California;
Long Beach, California;
Santa Ana, California;
Anaheim, California;
Riverside, California;
Glendale, California;
Huntington Beach, California;
San Bernardino, California;
and Chula Vista, California.
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Degree |
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Subject |
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Institution |
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1994
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Certificate of Completion
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Fire Science
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Long Beach City College
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Department |
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Title |
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Responsibilities |
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2006 to
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(Undisclosed)
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President, Fire/Life Safety Consultant, Certified Fire Investigator, Private Investigator
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He performs and or coordinates explosion and fire investigations in Residential, Commercial, Manufactured and Modular homes, Automobile and watercraft. He also provides product failure analysis services, building and fire code review and case review for litigation support. He conduct comprehensive physical inspections of residential and commercial structures to verify fire and building code compliance. He also provides expert witness testimony in criminal and civil depositions and trials.
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1989 to 2007
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City of Downey Fire Department
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Fire Investigation/Fire Prevention Division
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Deputy Fire Marshal/Fire Investigator/Hazardous Materials Specialist
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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.
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1980 to 1989
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Hughes Aircraft Company Fire Department
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Fire Suppression/Fire Prevention/Fire Investigation
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Fire Captain/Firefighter/Hazardous Materials Specialiste
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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.
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Associations/Societies
Executive Director of the Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California;
Current Board member of the Forensic Expert Witness Association;
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 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;
Class “A” Member of the International Conference of Building Officials
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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.)
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)
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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
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Awards/Recognition
Firefighter of the Year - Downey Mason's
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Role |
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Description |
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1989 to 2007
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City of Downey
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Deputy Fire Marshal/Hazardous Materials Supervisor
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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.
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| Selected Consulting Examples: |
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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.
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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.
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Recent Client Requests:
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Fire Safety code expert for consulting on Fire Safety, Interior Finishes, NFPA 286, IBC 2009.
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Fire composites expert for consulting on fiberglass reinforce and fire resistance by ASTM standards.
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Click the green button above to contact
Expert for a free initial screening call regarding your expert consulting needs.
Expert is available for consulting to corporate, legal and government clients.
Remember, your initial screening call to speak with
Expert is free.
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Expert Witness Experience Summary:
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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.
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Recent Litigation Client Requests:
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Fire code expert witness for consulting on applicability of NFPA code and fire investigation.
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Fire sprinkler expert for consulting on fire sprinkler failure.
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Expert in interpretation of fire code newport beach, ca for consulting on Interpretation and application of the building code and fire code as it relates to residential care facilities.
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Expert in arson for consulting on arson murder litigation case.
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Click the green button above to contact
Expert for a free initial screening call regarding expert testimony,
litigation consulting and support, forensic services, or any related expert witness services.
A few litigation needs include product liability, personal injury, economic loss, intellectual property
(patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright), and insurance matters. Remember, your initial screening
call to speak with
Expert is free.
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| Additional Skills and Services: |
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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 Expert's Firm 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.
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Education
