Led by seasoned forensic engineers and fire investigators, this year’s National Tour brings together experts in the fields of structural, materials, electrical and mechanical engineering as well as fire and explosion investigation in a comprehensive exploration into the world of forensic investigations in the aftermath of natural catastrophes and extreme weather events.
The past 20 years has seen a major increase in the number of extreme weather events around the world, according to a report from the United Nations. Whereas there were 4,212 natural disasters between 1980-1999, from 2000 to 2019 that number jumped to 7,348, resulting in $2.97 trillion in global economic losses.
Even more recently, and closer to home, insured damage from natural catastrophes and severe weather events exceeded $3 billion in 2023 in Canada. The country experienced the hottest summer on record, punctuated by rampant wildfires that burned more than 18.5 million hectares – another record. Persistent summer droughts in the west were contrasted by torrential downpours and deadly floods in Halifax and Quebec. And just this past January, Western Canada was plunged into a deep freeze, netting record low temperatures in dozens of locations and $180 million in damage.
In this webinar series, we will guide you through the necessary challenges of investigating structural failures in the wake of catastrophic weather events; examine the impact of severe weather on the durability and performance of materials; explore the pressures placed on modern infrastructure and equipment and the nuances of investigating mechanical and electrical failures; and delve into the causes and conditions surrounding wildfires and the complexities of wildfire investigations.
