To deliver the highest level of expertise and professionalism, while providing thorough and timely investigations with quality customer service and the highest level of integrity.
Our Team
Brian Brooks , CFI
Fire Consultant
P.O. Box 40278
St. Petersburg, Florida 33743
727-409-3449
Fax: 727-343-6762
In 1972, Brian began a career path that would ultimately lead him to the industry of fire investigation. First as a volunteer and then as a professional with the Gulfport, Florida Fire Department, Brian learned the basic skills required to be a proficient fire fighter. He progressed through the ranks to the position of Fire Investigator with the St. Petersburg, Florida Fire and Rescue Department in 1986 which gave him his first opportunity to investigate fires full time. During his tenure, Brian conducted numerous origin and cause investigations and served on a multi-agency task force. In 1995, Brian advanced to the position of Fire Chief with the City of Gulfport, Florida Fire Department. In this capacity, he was responsible for the development and administration of the department as well as serving as Fire Marshal where he coordinated all fire investigations that occurred within the city. After his retirement from the City of Gulfport in 2005, he moved into the private sector of fire investigations. He continues to acquire on-going education and experience needed to stay adept in his field. Brian maintains the qualification as an expert in the field of fire origin and cause investigations and is recognized as such in both state and federal courts.
K. David Cheers, CFEI
Field Operations Manager/Fire Consultant
P.O. Box 16467
Jacksonville, Florida 32245
904-563-6369
Fax: 904-278-7292
davidcheers@jackwardfire.com
After encountering fire for the first time as a volunteer firefighter in 1984, David became a professional firefighter with the Clay County Fire Department, Orange Park, Florida in 1989. His career with Clay County led him to a promotion of Lieutenant and his first taste of origin and cause investigations. After investigative training and working part-time with the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office, David became a full time investigator with the bureau in 1997. Prior to his retirement as a Lieutenant from the State Fire Marshal’s Office, David participated in the K-9 arson program as a handler and was recognized multiple times as Investigator of the Year. With numerous courtroom testimonies as an expert in the field of fire origin and cause investigation, David has been instrumental in the investigation of many high profile cases including those involving serial arsonists, arson for profit, and homicides at the state and federal level.
John Corbett
Background Consultant
P.O. Box 9223
Winter Haven, Florida 33883
863-258-6131
Fax: 863-582-9517
johncorbett@jackwardfire.com
After leaving the United State Marine Corps in 1985, John Corbett began his career in public safety with the Casselberry, Florida Police Department. To advance his career, he left the department to become a deputy sheriff with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Rising to the rank of detective, John was an integral part of the property crimes unit investigating theft, burglary and arson as well as the collateral duty as an accelerant detection canine handler. In 1993, after honing his skills as a criminal investigator, John became employed by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations. During his tenure with the bureau, John was promoted to the rank of Captain and Regional Commander where he oversaw all investigative operations within his region. John left the division in 2006 to serve as Regional Commander of the State of Florida Division of Insurance Fraud where he was responsible for the management of complex financial crime investigations. In 2008, John rejoined the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations as the Bureau Chief and promoted to the position Assistant Division Director until his retirement in 2011.
John F. Haight, CFI
Fire Consultant
P.O. Box 9223
Winter Haven, Florida 33883
954-328-8112
Fax: 863-326-6295
johnhaight@jackwardfire.com
In 1986, John began his career by becoming a certified fire fighter and joining the Martin County Fire Department, Stuart, Florida. John was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant before leaving the department and following a criminal justice path into forensic investigation by becoming a police officer with the Atlantis, Florida police department. Combining a fire and police background, John joined the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office in 1995 as a fire investigator. As a member of the bureau, John honed his fire origin and cause investigation skills and became a valuable part of the agency by investigating fires of various causes and leading arson cases to prosecution. His service to the agency was recognized when he earned the Appreciation of Service Award. In 1999, John continued his career path joining Jack Ward’s team and is held as an expert in the field of fire investigation.
Kevin Hays, CFI, CFII
Fire Consultant
P.O. Box 951808
Lake Mary, FL 32795
Cell: 407-454-2705
Fax: 407-540-9371
kevinhays@jackwardfire.com
Beginning in 1992 with the
Jefferson County, Florida Fire
Rescue Department, Kevin began
a fire service career that would lead him to the fire investigator he is today. During his tenure with the department, he was promoted to Fire Lieutenant.
He supervised fire and emergency operations, was responsible for the origin and cause investigation of fires in the county and attended college to obtain his degree in Fire Science. Moving to the larger Tallahassee Fire Department, Kevin was quickly tasked with the responsibility of conducting fire investigations throughout the city as a certified law enforcement officer and was recognized as the Florida Fire Investigator of the Year in 2003 by the Florida Fire Marshal’s Association. After sharpening his skills within the fire service, Kevin’s career turned to the private sector of fire investigation in 2004. Since that time, he has investigated fire losses throughout the United States, acquired his LP Gas Dealer Certification and has become an accomplished instructor in the industry of fire investigation.
John M. Heltman, CFI
Fire Consultant
Cincinnati, Ohio
513-300-6280
Fax: 513-481-1795
johnheltman@jackwardfire.com
Prior to his retirement in 2002 from the City of Cincinnati Fire Department in Ohio after an honorable 27 year career, John served in many capacities including fire fighter, fire specialist and fire prevention specialist. During this time period, John was involved in the investigation of hundreds of fires ranging from those involving arson to those determined to be accidental. John also instructed many classes throughout his fire department career related to fire origin and cause and fire death investigations and has been published in these same areas. He was recognized by the Cincinnati Fire Department for Exceptional Work Quality and Criminal Prosecutions during his tenure with the Fire Investigation Unit. Since 1987, John has worked with Jack Ward in multiple positions both full and part time investigating fires and explosions throughout the United States.
Jeff Merritt
Fire Consultant
P.O. Box 12414
Tallahassee, FL 32317
Phone: 850-524-4480
Fax: 850-254-9817
jeffmerritt@jackwardfire.com
In 1981, Jeff began a law enforcement career and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with the Taylor County Sheriff’s office where he began investigating fire related crimes. With the experience gained, he became a detective with the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office ten years later. During his time with the Bureau of Fire and Arson, he ascended through the ranks as a Special Operations Lieutenant, Regional Captain, and retired after 19 years with the division as Director of the State Fire Marshal’s office. Jeff has been instrumental in the investigation of homicides involving fire, serial arsons statewide and high profile incidents such as the City of Live Oak fire. He is the past president of the Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention and has been recognized by his peers for outstanding service and received the Charles P. LaCorte, Jr Fire Investigator Achievement Award from the Florida Fire Investigators Association. He is recognized by the courts as an expert in the field of fire investigation and utilizes his vast knowledge in the private sector as a consultant on cases involving fire and explosions.
John W. Stewart, CFEI, CFII
Fire Consultant
P.O. Box 1426
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
843-485-7899
As a student at Clemson University, John was hired in 1975 as a professional firefighter for the university’s fire department. This began a career spanning 33 years of public service as a fire fighter and state law enforcement officer. After leaving the university fire department, he became employed by the State of South Carolina as a Deputy State Fire Marshal and was promoted in 1986 to the position of Special Agent with the Arson Control Team. After many years of training and experience, John retired in 2008 as a Senior Agent in the Arson Unit of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Highlights of John’s career include an Inspector of the Year award from the State of South Carolina, a Heroism and Community Service award presented by Firehouse Magazine and numerous letters of commendation from SLED. John holds a master’s degree in criminal justice, maintains certification as a fire investigator instructor and is held as an expert in both state and federal courts.