Meet Richard

Mr. Jones has over 23 years of experience in the field of investigations for both the public and the private sectors. He also has prior service and training with local fire districts and the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, specializing in the field of fire and explosion investigations. Mr. Jones has completed numerous courses related to fire and explosion investigations sponsored by the National Fire Academy, Maine State Police, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and other local organizations. He earned a degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and is an experienced lecturer on fire and explosion investigations. Mr. Jones has been recognized as an expert witness and has provided testimony on both the state and federal levels. He has been actively involved in the Louisiana Chapter of IAAI, previously serving on the Board of Directors and advancing to the position of Chapter President on two occasions. He served on the Board of Directors for the IAAI for 6 years currently serves as the IAAI 1st VP. He also serves as a director for the IAAI foundation and on the CFI committee as the committee chairman; FISC committee, Strategic Planning Committee, ITC Training Committee; Editorial Review Committee for the Fire and Arson Investigator Journal; and Firearson.com Website Content Review Committee; an alternate committee member for NFPA 1300 Standard on Community Risk Assessment and Community Risk Reduction Plan Development, NFPA 1452 Guide for Training Fire Service Personnel to Conduct Community Risk Reduction, NFPA 1730 Fire Prevention Organization and Deployment and NFPA 302 Motor Craft. He also serves as a director for the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board. Mr. Jones also served as committee chair for the IAAI publication Fire Investigator Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033. ​Mr. Jones has completed the F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector Program which is the first and only inspection certification within the hearth industry. This certification has proven to be the gold standard of this industry. This professional designation provides that Mr. Jones has demonstrated knowledge on the inspection and investigation of fireplaces, chimneys, vented appliances, and vent free products.

Affiliations

• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) 1st Vice President - Past Director for six years
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) – Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Committee – Chairman, Proctor and Application Reviewer
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) – Fire Investigator Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033 – Committee Chairman
• IAAI Chapter Memberships: Louisiana, President 2015-2016, 2003 – 2004, Southern Vice President 2012, 2nd Vice President 2015; Mississippi; South Africa, Alabama, UK, Mexico
• International Association of Arson Investigators Foundation Board - Director
• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) - Strategic Planning Committee Member
• The Institution of Fire Engineers, United States of America Branch (IFE-USA), # 00050638, Fellow Grade
• National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Fire Investigation Standards Committee (FISC)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Technical Committee Member - Principal
• National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP)
• National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE)
• International Association of Marine Investigators, Inc. (IAMI)
• American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC)
• Professional Fire & Fraud Investigators Association
• International Association of Fire Investigators
• Louisiana Fire Prevention Association
• Louisiana Claims Association
• Honorable Order of the Blue Goose - LA Pond
• Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) - Board Member
• American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) Forensic Examination Advisory Committee (FEAC)
• Peer Reviewer - Practitioner Section - Fire and Arson Investigator Journal of the IAAI

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Licenses and Certifications

• Certified Fire Investigator with Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement, IAAI, #42-019
• Certified Fire Investigator, Pro Board, # 236717
• Certified Instructor, IAAI
• Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, NAFI, #6578-2578
• Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, NAFI, #6578-2578V
• Private Investigator, # 5524-072303-LA
• IAAI Evidence Collection Technician Facilitator
• Certified Evidence Collection Technician, IAAI, #33
• F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector (Certified Fireplace Inspector), FCI-286
• LSU Certified Hazardous Materials Technician
• LSU Certified Fire Fighter I and II
• LSU Certified Fire Service Instructor I and II
• Maine State Police Certified Accelerant Detection Canine Handler
• LSU Certified Fire Inspector I

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