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
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
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 F. Haight, CFI
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
PO 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
P. O. Box 11293
Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
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.
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.