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Russ Friesen

Russ Friesen

CFEI, CFII, CVFI, IAAI-FIT, AB SCO B2, C2
Fire and Explosion Investigator

Primary Service Area Calgary

Email rfriesen@ocig.com

Contact PH: 888-624-3473, ext: 185 / M: (403) 618-6504

Industries

Agriculture : Agricultural Equipment Failures, Agricultural Equipment Fires
Insurance : Break and Enter Investigations, Equipment Failures, Fraud Investigations, Product Liability, Subrogation, Water Claims
Manufacturing : Equipment Failures, Failure Analysis, Product Contamination
Mining

Solutions

Forensic Engineering: Fire & Explosion Investigation

Overview

Russ is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, as well as a former Fire Captain, Fire Prevention officer, and member of the Arson Strike Force. He has over 20 years of experience and has performed over 1,200 fire and explosion investigations, including large structural losses, vehicle fires, and wildland fires. Russ also investigates and reports on technical failures, specializing in fire sprinkler systems.

Certifications

Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII)
Fire Investigator Technician (IAAI- FIT)
Licensed British Columbia Private Investigator

More

Professional Experience

Fire and Explosion Investigator, OCI Group
Calgary, Alberta
June 2024 – Present

Senior Fire Investigator, Pario Engineering and Environmental
Calgary, Alberta
2023 – 2025

Deputy Fire Chief, Vernon Fire Department
Calgary, Alberta
2021 – 2022

Administration of Training and Prevention
Administration of Fire Investigation Program

Fire and Explosion Investigator, Origin and Cause Inc.
Calgary, Alberta
2018 – 2021

Investigate fire scenes to determine origin and cause

Forensic Investigator, CEP-Sintra
Calgary, Alberta
October 2012 – 2018

Investigate fires involved in insurance claims and litigation; determine origin and cause for law firms, insurers and insurance adjusters
Investigate technical failures, particularly fire sprinkler systems

Fire Captain/Forensic Investigator, Foothills Fire Department Station #9
Calgary, Alberta
2012 – 2018

Firefighting duties included initial attack on structural fires, vehicle fires, and wildland fires, vehicle extrication, medical assists and other roles
Conducted approximately 100 fire investigations

Instructor and Evaluator, Manitoba Emergency Services College
Brandon, Manitoba
2004 – 2012

Taught NFPA 1001, EMR, and Vehicle Extrication courses
Member of the evaluation team from 2009 – 2012

Fire Inspector, Brandon Fire Department
Brandon, Manitoba
2007 – 2008

Fire Inspector and Public Fire Education in the prevention branch for the City of Brandon

Firefighter/Paramedic, Thompson Fire and Emergency Services
Thompson, Manitoba
2001 – 2007

Involved in the joint Arson Strike Force with the RCMP as a Fire Investigator
Conducted approximately 30 fire investigations

Paid On-Call Firefighter, Killarney Fire Department
Killarney, Manitoba
1995 – 2001

Responded to all types of fire and rescue calls, eventually working up to lead role within the department.

Further Training and Education

IAAI Course “Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigations” (San Diego, CA September 2017)
University of Calgary Seminar “Failure Analysis” (Calgary, Alberta – 2017)
IAAI Course “Fuel Air Explosions” (Helena, MT April 2016)
FIAA Seminar “Hot Wheels” (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta – 2015)
Report Writing for Fire Investigators (NFPA 1033) (Winnipeg, Manitoba – 2014)
FIAA Seminar “Calm under the Crossfire in Court” (Edmonton, Alberta – 2013)
Calgary Fire Department “NFPA 1403 Field Ignition Trainer” (Calgary, Alberta – 2013)
Justice Institute of British Columbia “Incident Safety Officer NFPA 1521” (Okotoks, Alberta -2013)
Justice Institute of British Columbia “NFPA 1001 Instructor/Evaluator” (Okotoks, Alberta – 2013)
Alberta Emergency Management Service “Fire Scene Incident Commander Level 300” (Calgary, Alberta – 2012)
Dalhousie University “Certificate of Fire Service Leadership” (Completed 2012)
“Fire Investigator responses to Grow Ops and Meth Labs” Office of the Fire Commissioner (Winnipeg – 2012)
National Fire Protection Association 1033 (NFPA 1033) “Fire Investigation Level 3” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2011)
Manitoba Emergency Services College “HAZMAT Lead Instructor” Workshop (Brandon, Manitoba – 2010)
Manitoba Emergency Service College “Firefighting 1001 Lead Instructor” Workshop (Brandon, Manitoba – 2011)
National Fire Protection Association 1041 (NFPA 1041) “Emergency Services Instructor Level 2” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2010)
“Fire Service Hydraulics” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2008)
“Fire and Life Safety Educator” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2008)
National Fire Protection Association 1033 (NFPA 1033) “Fire Investigation Level 2” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2007)
National Fire Protection Association 1031 (NFPA 1031) “Fire Investigation Level 2” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2007)
National Fire Protection Association 1031 (NFPA 1031) “Fire Investigation Level 1” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2007)
National Fire Protection Association 1041 (NFPA 1041) “Emergency Services Instructor 1” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2006)
National Fire Protection Association 472 (NFPA 472) “HAZMAT Technician” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2006)
National Fire Protection Association 472 (NFPA 472) “HAZMAT Operations” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2006)
“Vehicle Extrication” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2005)
National Fire Protection Association 1033 (NFPA 1033) “Fire Investigation Level 1” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2005)
“Fire Ground Management” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2005)
National Fire Protection Association 1001 (NFPA 1001) “Fire Fighting Level 2” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2004)
“Emergency Medical Technician” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2004)
National Fire Protection Association 1001 (NFPA 1001) “Fire Fighting Level 1” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2004)
National Fire Protection Association 472 (NFPA 472) “HAZMAT Awareness” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2004)
“Ground Search and Rescue” (Brandon, Manitoba – 2003)