Fire Investigating
Apex Fire Services
Selecting who you hire to investigate the fires your firm is handling is a direct reflection of you and your firm. Fire Investigators and other forensic consultants are not created equal. Claim activities, direction and costs are greatly influenced by the experience, competency and expertise possessed by the individuals charged with determining the origin and cause of your fire loss. Per NFPA 921, The Guideline for Fire and Explosion Investigations, fire or explosion investigation is a complex endeavor involving skill, technology, knowledge, and science [NFPA 921, 14-4.1].
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About
Apex’s investigative team leads the nation in large, complex, multi-party fire investigations with experience in property losses up to and exceeding $100 million. Apex’s investigative team has been responsible for the complete coordination and analysis of fatality fires claiming the lives of over 200 victims. While this experience is helpful, Apex also routinely investigates losses involving industrial, commercial and/or residential fires and explosions (both large and small), vehicle fires, marine fires, wild land fires and fires involving hazardous materials.
Services
When our services are enlisted by a firm such as yours, it is common that we have the initial, and sometimes singular, access to the fire scene. This situation allows our team to focus, unabated, on identifying the key information relating to the origin and potential cause for each fire evaluated. Just as importantly, our involvement at the outset provides you with the comfort of knowing that the subject fire scene investigation is being conducted in accord with the methodology/standards set forth by the relevant fire/scientific community such that no valid spoliation issues should arise.
Fire Scene Processing
Fire Testing
Fire Canine Program
Meet The Team
Cory W. Martin
Lead Fire Investigator &
Owner of Apex Fire Services
Graduate of Angelo State University (B.S.B.A. 1997) and owner of Apex, a firm which
specializes in fire origin and cause evaluation. Mr. Martin is: Certified by the International
Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator; Certified by the National
Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle
Fire Investigator and Certified Fire Investigation Instructor; Certified by the Texas Commission
of Fire Protection as a Certified Fire and Arson Investigator and as a Certified Fire Inspector;
Certified by the Texas Commission of Private Security as a Private Investigator and Guard Dog
Trainer; Certified by Global Training Academy as a Detection K9 Trainer and certified by the
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education as a Master Peace
Officer. Mr. Martin has been involved in the field of fire investigation since 1994, and has
investigated in excess of 2000 fires. Through the course of these investigations, Mr. Martin has
been involved in extensive fire testing and research and testified as to the origin, cause,
development and/or responsibility of fires or explosions in multiple state and federal courts. Mr.
Martin has published articles in both the National Journal of Forensic Science and Interflams’
International Fire and Materials Conference. Mr. Martin’s experience has involved close
working relationships with Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Metallurgists, Forensic
Chemists, Fire Scientists and Legal Experts.
Matthew Moore
Fire Investigator & Canine Handler
Mr. Moore is: Certified by the Texas Commission of Fire Protection as a Certified Master Fire Fighter and Certified Master Fire Investigator; Certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a Certified Paramedic. In 2004, Mr. Moore joined the Apex Team as an investigator and in 2005 became a canine handler with Apex. With over 20 year of experience in the fire service industry, Mr. Moore has 17 years with Houston Fire Department where he currently serves as HFD Engineer Operator at Station 68.
Jonathan Jones
Fire Investigator
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Austin Birdsong
IT Director &Â Fire Investigator
Joining Apex in 2015 with a background in IT/Media, Mr. Birdsong serves as the IT/Media Manager at Apex. With 6 years in the IT/Media industry he helps deploy new technology within the company and manages the information systems of Apex and it’s employees. His experience include employment at Sagemont Church where he served 5 years as a Media Technician and Lead Lighting Designer.