Fire Investigator Consultant Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.636

Georgia

Detailed Professional Experience

Consultant - 2007 - Present
Fires/Explosions/Fire Department Policies

Owl Investigations - 1992-2007

Investigator / Consultant / Owner

Investigate and analyze fire and explosion incidents.  Render opinions as to the 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 of recreating the physical scene through removal of debris and the replacement of contents or structural elements in their pre-fire or pre-explosion positions.  Prepare thorough written reports.

City Of Canton, Georgia - 1988-2002

Fire Chief-Retired

Management of fire department: operational and prevention.  Commanded incidents such as structural fires, hazardous materials, weather related catastrophes, aircraft crashes, railroad fires/crashes, and other emergencies.  Investigated all fire incidents to determine origin and cause.  Identified suspects and witnesses for criminal and civil litigation.  Prepared affidavits and arrest warrants.  Ensured compliance of all local and state fire codes and ordinances.  Conducted educational training for firefighting personnel and general public.  Performed public appearances for speaking engagements when invited.
Managed City Building Department as the City’s Building Official.

Department Of Defense-Tinker Afb, Oklahoma - 1972-1987

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

Biography

Expert 636 served his country honorably during the Vietnam War in the United States Navy as a Radioman Petty Officer Third Class.  He was employed by the Department of Defense at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma as an Aircraft Crash/Structural Firefighter and Fire Inspector.  He then joined the City of Canton, Georgia as their Fire Chief.  His duties and responsibilities were many including the development and execution of fire prevention ordinances and laws.  He assisted in the prosecution of arson by performing extensive investigations and expert testimonies which included murder by arson and four off duty firefighters arson prosecutions.

Expert 636 is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program in Emmitsburg, Maryland and earned an Associate Degree from Seminole State College, Oklahoma.  He was a Fire Safety Instructor for the Georgia Police Officers Standards and Training Council and holds many certificates for completed training in fire investigations.  He has performed as speaker at arson seminars and CNN television talk show.

Expert 636 managed fire investigations of very large monetary losses.  As Fire Inspector for Tinker Air Force Base he participated in the investigation of a structural fire which caused over 148 million dollars in damages to a jet engine repair facility.  He was licensed as a Private Investigator.

Education

A.S. Degree-Seminole State College, Oklahoma, 1975
EFO-National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 1994
Certified Fire Investigator-IAAI, 1994, 1999 & 2004
Fire Investigator, National Board of Fire Service Professionals (NPQ)
Fire Inspector/Fire Protection Specialist, USAF School of Applied Aerospace Sciences
Railroad Grade Crossing Accident Investigation, North Central Georgia Police Academy
Fire Investigation Training Seminars in Oklahoma and Georgia (1983-2004)

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 Present)

Expert Witness Experience

October 1989, U.S.D.C. Western District of Oklahoma

August 1992, U.S.D.C. Northern District of Georgia

April 1994, State Court of Georgia, Cherokee County

September 1994, State Court of Georgia, Pickens County

June 1996, State Court of Georgia, Cobb County

March 1999, Superior State Court of Georgia, Cherokee County

November 2002, U.S.D.C. Northern District of Georgia