ABOUT
Fire & Arson Investigation Consultants, Inc., (F.A.I.C., Inc.) specializes in determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding structural, vehicular, and marine fires. Immediately following each phase of an investigation, a verbal report of our findings is given. And, within one week of the conclusion of an investigation, a quality, professionally prepared report is completed.
Trusting someone to provide you with consulting services is serious business. At F.A.I.C. we are dedicated to "Putting the Pieces Together for You". Our commitment to excellence keeps us at the forefront of the investigative services field. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the most comprehensive, professional services possible. We believe our clients deserve nothing less. And because of this commitment to professionalism and confidentiality, our business continues to grow each and every year.
Please take time to review our web site and explore what we have to offer. If we can be of service, do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss your needs.
Respectfully,
Michael E. Schaal, CFEI, CFE, CPII, PI
President & CEO
Doug Hanson
EXPERTS
Michael E. Schaal CFI, CFEI, CVFI, CFII
Owner, Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator
Mr. Schaal is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, Certified Professional Insurance Investigator and a Certified Fire Investigator Instructor, specializing in determining the origin, cause, and circumstances of structural, vehicular, and marine fires. He is a Retired Division Chief from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, were he was a Fire Marshal for eight years. Mr. Schaal holds expert witness qualifications in Fire Origin & Cause Investigations, Fire Suppression, and Fire Protection. He has qualified as an expert in both the Circuit & Federal Court venues. Mr. Schaal is the principal owner of Fire & Arson Investigation Consultants, Inc. specializing in conducting Origin & Cause Investigations primarily for the legal and insurance community since 1991. He has conducted over 10,000 fire investigations. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire Science and a Certificate in Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice. Mr. Schaal was an adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy and developed a 56 hour training program with emphasis on NFPA 921 & NFPA 1033 which qualifies attendees to become Certify Fire Investigators. He has accumulated in excess of 4500 hours of training in the fields of Fire Investigation, Fire Protection, Fire Service Management, Fire Ground Operations and Law Enforcement.
James A. Sobota, CFI, CFEI, CVFI
Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator specializing in determining the origins, causes, and circumstances of structural, vehicular, and marine fires; experienced in explosion investigations, fire protection analysis, plan review, fire investigation training, and law enforcement; collaborative background with local, state, and federal government agencies; Retired Fire Investigation Branch Commander, thirty-two years of dedicated service with the Fairfax County Fire Department, which includes seventeen years in the capacity of Assistant Fire Marshal; hold expert witness qualifications in fire origin & cause investigations.
Jake G. Stuart, CFEI
Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator​
Jake Stuart is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator specializing in determining the origin, cause, and circumstances of structural fires. He is currently a Captain in the Baltimore County Fire Department. He has qualified as an expert in Circuit court venues. Jake has conducted nearly 500 fire investigations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Maryland - University College. Jake assists in instructing the University of Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute's Fire Investigation Program each year, and he has accumulated in excess of 1000 hours of training in the fields of Fire Investigation, Fire Protection, Fire Service Management, Hazardous Materials, and Fire Ground Operations.
Michael D. Hanson CFI
Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator specializing in determining the origins, causes, and circumstances of structural, vehicular, and marine fires; experienced in explosion investigations, fire protection analysis, plan review, fire investigation training, and law enforcement; collaborative background with local, state, and federal government agencies. Mr. Hanson has worked for FAIC for 11 years. Mr. Hanson retired from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department in 2014 with 30 years of service. Mr. Hanson last assignment was Battalion Fire Chief. Mr. Hanson was assigned to the Fire Explosion Investigation Unit as a Fire Investigator and Bomb Technician for 10 years. He graduated from the FBI Hazardous Devices School in 2005. Mr. Hanson graduated from the Montgomery County Police Academy with honors. During his tenure as a fire marshal, he established close relationships with local, state, and federal entities such as the FBI and ATF solving arson and explosion crimes. Mr. Hanson also worked for the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office as the Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal. Mr. Hanson is a certified fire and explosion investigator with the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Association of Fire Investigators. He has a bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration from the University of Maryland University College and a master’s degree from Columbia Southern University in Public Administration in Emergency Management. Mr. Hanson has testified as an expert witness numerous times in the origin and cause of fires and explosions. Mr. Hanson has hundreds of hours of training in fire origin and cause determination, explosive training, fire ground command and management and law enforcement training and has been an instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute for over 25 years.
Kevin E. Bollinger
Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator​
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​Kevin Bollinger is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator who specializes in determining the origin, cause, and circumstances of structural fires. He is certified through the National Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, as well as the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Fire Investigation Technician. He is also a ProBoard certified Fire Officer 3 and Hazmat Materials Technician. Additionally, he is also a Federal Aviation Administration-certified Remote Pilot. He is currently a Captain in the Baltimore County Fire Department and a veteran of the United States Air Force.
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Terry W. Hall
Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator​
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Mr. Hall is a Certified Fire and Explosive Investigator, a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives (ATF) Certified Accelerant Canine Handler along with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist training. Served as U.S. Marshal while assigned to the ATF National Response Team.
He is a Retired Supervisor of Fire Investigations from Fairfax County Fire Department, where he was a Law Enforcement Deputy Fire Marshal for 35 years. Mr. Hall holds expert witness qualifications in Fire Origin & Cause Investigations, Fire Suppression, and Fire Protection. He has qualified as an expert in both the Circuit & Federal Court venues. He has conducted over 5000 fire investigations, 400 ATF Accelerant Cananie Examinations, and served as a Metropolitan Police Officer assigned to the Special Operations Division (SOD)
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