Matthew Smith is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) with more than 16 years of experience in fire service and forensic investigations. His background with the Calgary Fire Department includes serving as a Safety Codes Officer and Fire Investigator, where he conducted over 250 fire and explosion investigations.
Matthew specializes in origin and cause investigations for residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicle fire losses. He is committed to delivering thorough, evidence-based findings that support insurance, legal, and risk management matters. Matthew is a member of the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI).
As a Fire and Explosion Investigator at OCI Group, Justin McKay specializes in origin and cause investigations, as well as mechanical engineering failure analysis. He conducts forensic examinations of fire and explosion incidents, applying engineering principles to evaluate physical evidence and determine contributing factors.
Justin holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering with Co-operative Education designation from the University of Victoria and is registered as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) in British Columbia.
As a Fire Investigator, TJ Robbins specializes in determining the origin and cause of fires through detailed scene examinations, evidence collection, and witness interviews. She analyzes fire patterns, evaluates physical evidence, and applies technical data to identify where a fire originated and how it progressed. Her investigations provide clear, objective findings that support insurance claims, fire prevention initiatives, and legal proceedings when required.
Tim Donaldson is a Fire and Explosion Investigator at OCI Group with a strong background in mechanical systems, fire protection infrastructure, and investigative procedures. As a Red Seal Automotive Service Technician with over 15 years of technical experience, Tim brings a practical and detail-oriented approach to fire and explosion investigations involving commercial, industrial, and residential properties.
His experience includes the management of preventative maintenance programs, facility improvement projects, and the installation and testing of complex fire protection systems, including dry, wet, and pre-action sprinkler systems within large-scale facilities. Tim has also been directly involved in fire pump installation and successful flow testing, providing him with extensive knowledge of building systems and fire suppression operations.
In addition to his technical expertise, Tim previously served as an auxiliary member of the Stirling-Rawdon Police Service, where he participated in criminal and non-criminal investigations. Through this work, he gained valuable experience in evidence preservation, witness interviews, investigative procedures, and courtroom testimony — skills that support his forensic investigation work at OCI Group.
Tim combines his mechanical knowledge, fire protection experience, and investigative background to assist clients with determining the origin and cause of fires and explosions while delivering thorough and reliable forensic assessments.
Our 10th Annual National Tour returns with 13 stops across Canada. This year, we’re delving into the ever-evolving challenge of fraud, which continues to grow in sophistication and scale, placing increasing pressure on insurers and claims professionals. Through real-world case studies, our forensic experts and engineers will review red flags and common indicators of suspicious claims and discuss the investigative techniques used to identify potential fraud.
Applicable for Continuing Education Credits in British Columbia
Accreditation Pending in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
April 23 – Halifax, NS
April 28 – Windsor, ON
April 28 – Winnipeg, MB
April 30 – Ottawa, ON
May 5 – Mississauga, ON
May 12 – Saskatoon, SK
May 14 – Regina, SK
May 21 – Calgary, AB
May 26 – Edmonton, AB
May 26 – Kelowna, BC
May 28 – Vancouver, BC
June 2 – Nanaimo, BC
June 3 – Victoria, BC
Wildfires are complex events with significant environmental and financial implications. As we enter wildfire season, this one-hour webinar will provide a practical introduction to wildfire investigations. We’ll breakdown the primary cause categories and discuss the accepted methodology used to investigate a wildfire and determine origin and cause. We’ll conclude with a case study, illustrating how these principles are applied in a real-world scenario.
Joe is a pro board-certified Fire and Explosion Investigator. He has 30 years experience with Brandon Fire and Emergency Services as a Firefighter/PCP, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator and Fire Prevention Officer. Joe has conducted over 100 fire investigations and 2000 fire life safety inspections. In his role as a Fire prevention Officer, he was the direct liaison with Brandon Police Services Major Crimes Unit dealing with arson related crimes.
Marcin is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator with nearly two decades of experience in engineering and forensic fire investigation. He graduated with honours from the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at NAIT and brings over 10 years of design engineering experience, including advanced proficiency in multiple 3D design platforms and specialized work in hydraulic surface tools for the oilfield industry.
His work focuses on vehicle and structural fire investigations, providing technical and analytical consulting services to the insurance industry. He is currently awaiting Professional Technologist certification and holds two patents.
