NASP/IAAI WEBINAR
Spontaneous combustion or chemical reaction fires result in thousands of fires each year. The majority of these fires involve home structures, often during construction completion or during remodeling. The cause is often the result of misuse by contractors of stains and chemicals, and improper discarding of stained rags and applicators. The challenge in a subrogation case is often direct evidence as to the ignition source is consumed in the fire. This program will address the science of a spontaneous combustion fire; facts that suggest the loss is the result of spontaneous combustion; products and items that will ignite if not properly used or discarded; essential investigation of events and timeline prior to the fire; direct and circumstantial evidence; Material Safety Data Sheets, product labeling and instructions; and the lab testing of retrieved evidence. Attendees will be provided essential discovery materials to utilize where spontaneous combustion is a suspected cause.
David Matejczyk, a founding shareholder at RMI, has participated in hundreds of scene examinations involving fires and explosions. He has devoted his entire legal career to the area of insurance subrogation. Through the years he has coordinated and worked closely with experts on fire losses, local and state fire investigators. A past member of the Board of Directors of NASP, he served as the chairman for three of the organization's annual conferences and is a two-time recipient of the NASP President's Award. He is a former adjunct faculty member at the University of Akron. David is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Gannon University (MPA) and Alliance College (BS).
Kevin Keaton received his Associate Degree in Fire Science Technology from Joliet Junior College. His responsibilities at SEA include determining the origin and cause of fires in structures, recreational vehicles, and motor vehicles. Kevin has extensive experience in the investigation of fires attributed to spontaneous combustion. He is an IAAI CFI (Certified Fire Investigator), has testified as an expert witness in multiple jurisdictions and is a trained fire fighter. Kevin has served as an Operations Commander for the Dupage County Fire Investigator Task Force, is a former adjunct instructor for the University of Illinois-Police Training Institute, College of Dupage and Joliet Junior College. He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and serves on the Educational and Training Committee; National Fire Protection Association member; past member and President of the MABAS Division Fire Investigation Team; and past member of the Joliet Junior College Fire Science / Paramedic Advisory Committee.