FDAFIRE.COM - Key Persons
Greg Gorbett is a Professor in the Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation degree program at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. He currently serves as vice chair for the Fire and Arson Investigator Journal of the IAAI, as a principal member of NFPA 1033-Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, and served as a principal member of NFPA 921-Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. He also currently serves as the secretary for the Fire and Explosion Investigation subcommittee for the Organization of Scientific Area Committees as part of an initiative by NIST and the Department of Justice to strengthen forensic science in the United States.
Dr. Gorbett has been invited to lecture at the National Association of Fire Investigators, the National Fire Protection Association, The British Fire Service College, various universities throughout the U.S. and Hoseo University in South Korea.
Nicole Brewer is a 22-year veteran of the fire service and a full-time, police-certified, fire and arson investigator with Portland Fire & Rescue. In that capacity, her duties include the investigation of residential, commercial, vehicle and outdoor fires, including those complicated by explosions, injuries, arson, fatalities, or greater alarms. She also conducts fire-related criminal investigations. At this time, Nicole has conducted over 1,800 fire and explosion investigations in the City of Portland.
In addition to serving in the public sector, Nicole has become certified as a Private Investigator in the states of Oregon and Washington. She has been conducting private fire investigations since 2014.
Nicole has earned a Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation (summa cum laude) from Eastern Kentucky University and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology from Portland Community College. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Forensic Sciences with specialization in Arson and Explosive Investigation from Oklahoma State University.
She has earned certifications as an IAAI - Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), Certified Instructor (CI), Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII), and ICC Fire Inspector II.
Nicole participated in validating three International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) textbooks including Fire Investigator 2nd and 3rd Editions and Introduction to Fire Origin and Cause 2nd Edition. She served as a Director for the Oregon Chapter of the IAAI for four years and she served her community as a volunteer firefighter, fire officer and fire investigator for over 17 years.
Nicole has been honored with the Oregon EMS Medal of Valor; the Vic Atiyeh Distinguished Achievement Award, the Lee M. Bown Scholastic Achievement Award, the Portland Fire & Rescue Ribbon of Merit and the Portland Fire Chief's Certificate.
Ryan Cox is a Senior Fire Investigator with more than 18 years experience. Mr. Cox graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology. His experience in investigating fires ranges from single-family dwellings to multi-million dollar commercial losses. He has investigated fires throughout the US, in three different countries, and has successfully testified in depositions and state and federal courts. He has over 11 years experience investigating fires involving lithium-ion batteries. He also has significant experience investigating fires involving kitchen and laundry appliances, and processing large-loss fire scenes. He is trained, certified and able to conduct fire scene examinations involving both hazmat and asbestos contaminated sites.
Mr. Cox spent 17 years as a volunteer firefighter, serving two years as a Lieutenant and four years as a Captain. He is formerly a principle member of the NFPA 1033 Technical Committee on Fire Investigator Professional Qualifications and an alternate member of the NFPA 921 Technical Committee on Fire Investigations. He holds an adjunct faculty position with Eastern Kentucky University's Fire Investigation Program. Among other certifications, he carries the NAFI-CFEI, IAAI-CFI and NFPA-CFPS.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor's degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology with a concentration in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation from Eastern Kentucky University. She is certified as a fire investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI-CFI) and is certified by the National Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, a Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator and also a Certified Fire Investigation Instructor.
Bill Hicks began his career as a first responder in search and rescue. He has worked in various emergency services organizations for more than 20 years and retired as the chief of the White Hall Fire Department (KY). He was a founding member of the Madison County Fire Investigation Task Force in Kentucky.
Dr. Hicks is also a certified vehicle fire investigator and fire/explosions investigation instructor with the National Association of Fire Investigators. He is a certified fire investigator with the International Association of Arson Investigators and a certified fire protection specialist with the National Fire Protection Association, a certified fire prevention inspector with Kentucky's Fire Marshal Office, and a state licensed private investigator. Dr. Hicks has developed college level courses as well as more than 20 multi-day seminars and provided extensive training in fire protection, investigation, emergency management and preparedness. He has performed incident analysis as well as provided expert witness case review, testimony and litigation support in criminal and civil cases regarding fire incident analysis, fire codes, emergency response, and other fire related topics. He serves on numerous academic and training committees, including alternate member of NFPA 1033-Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, and as a past alternate member on the National Fire Protection Association document 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation.
Dr. Hicks is one of the founding instructors for the federally approved Occupational Safety Health Training Institute at Eastern Kentucky University. Since 2006, he has developed numerous OTI and Industry related seminars and various lectures on Occupational Safety and Health standards. He has provided consultant services in the field of occupation safety with regards to safety plans, safety audits, program reviews and has provided expert witness services on litigation involving many OSHA topics including confined spaces, walking working surfaces, and cases involving personal protective equipment, just to name a few.