Ernie Misewicz

Biography

Ernest Misewicz (Ernie) is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) based in Washington with extensive experience conducting fire scene examinations to determine the origin and cause of fires and explosions. He is a valued member of YA Group, contributing specialized expertise across residential, commercial, public‑sector, and private‑sector investigations.

He has broad experience in fire scene processing, documentation, photography, report writing, evidence collection, maintaining chain of custody, interviewing witnesses, and conducting post‑incident analysis. His work includes determining the origin and cause of both residential and commercial fires and explosions, bringing a disciplined and methodical approach to each investigation.

Earlier in his career, Ernie served as a Senior Fire Investigator with Jensen Hughes. He also worked with several municipal emergency organizations, including the Alaska Fire Marshal’s Office and the City of Fairbanks, where he conducted in‑depth fire and arson investigations. In addition, he developed and oversaw the Fire Investigation Task Force in Interior Alaska, strengthening regional investigative capabilities and multi‑agency coordination.

Credentials

CFEI
PI
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI) NAFI, No. 9021-6547iv
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) NAFI, No. 9021-6547iv
Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (CFII) NAFI, No. 9021-6547iv
AK Fire Instructor IV (Master Instructor)
Fire Inspector I & II International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC)

Representative Consulting Assignments

2019 Nightclub Fire | Fairbanks AK
2019 & 2022 Explosion Investigation, Refinery | Valdez AK
2020 Hotel / Restaurant Fire | Kotzebue, AK
2020 Heavy Mining Equipment Fires, Gold Mine | Fairbanks AK
2022 Battery Explosion, University | Fairbanks AK
2023 Construction Explosion | Wasilla AK
2023 Sea Food Processing Plant Fire | King Cove AK
2023 Manufacturing Plant Explosion / Fire | St. Louis, MS
2024 Post Incident Analysis Apartment Fire | Wichita, KS
2024 Court House Fire | Taholah, WA
2024 Warehouse Fire | Kennewick, WA
2025 Warehouse Fires | Monroe, OH
2025 Lodge Fire | Glennallen, AK

Professional Experience

2026 - Current | Senior Fire Consultant | YA Group
2018 - 2026 | Senior Fire Investigator | Jensen Hughes, Inc.
1976 - 2019 | Battalion Chief (Volunteer) | North Star Volunteer Fire Department, North Pole, AK
1985 - 2026 | Adjunct Instructor, Master Instructor (Instructor IV) | Alaska Fire Service Training, AK
1983 - 2024 | Adjunct Instructor / Fire Science Program | Community and Technical College, University of Alaska Fairbanks, AK
2016 - 2019 | Fire Chief | Salcha Fire & Rescue, Salcha, AK
2008 - 2017 | Assistant Fire Chief / Fire Marshal | Fairbanks, AK
1999 - 2008 | Deputy Fire Marshal | Fairbanks, AK
1990 - 1999 | Deputy Fire Chief | North Star Fire Service Area, North Pole, AK
1991 - 1994 | Wildland Task Force Supervisor | Alaska Division of Forestry, Fairbanks, AK
1989 - 1990 | Assistant Chief of Training | North Star Fire Service Area, North Pole, AK
1987 - 1989 | Assistant Chief of Operations | Eielson AFB, AK
1987 - 1987 | NW Region Assistant State Fire Marshal | Fairbanks, AK
1982 - 1987 | Deputy Fire Marshal | Fairbanks, AK
1980 - 1982 | Chief Fire Protection Inspector | Ft. Wainwright, AK
1979 - 1979 | Emergency Firefighter (Red Card), U.S. Bureau of Land Management | Ft. Wainwright, AK
1973 - 1979 | Firefighter / Sergeant | U.S. Army Fire Department

Education

University of Alaska - Associate of Applied Science - Fire Science - Alaska
National Fire Academy - Executive Fire Officer Program - Emmitsburg - Maryland
Purdue University - Construction Management Program - Construction Management - Hamond - Indiana

Training Courses

Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Training– 40 hrs (Tested) - Valdez, AK
National Association of Fire Investigators Training– 32 hrs (Tested) - Tempe, AZ
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Training- 40 hrs (Tested) - Valdez, AK
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Training– 40 hrs (Tested) - Sitka, AK
NWCG FI‑210 Wildland Fire Investigators Course, BLM – 40 hrs (Tested) - Ft. Wainwright, AK
Understanding and Mitigating Youth Fire Setting– 8 hrs - NVFC
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Training - JBER, AK
Master Instructor Certification (recertified) - Alaska Fire Standards Council
Instructor Development Workshop– 24 hrs (Tested) - LSU
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Training - Fairbanks, AK
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator– 32 hrs (Tested) - NAFI
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Training– 40 hrs (Tested) - Ketchikan, AK
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Investigation Training– 40 hrs (Tested) - Juneau, AK
Master Instructor Certification (recertified) - Alaska Fire Standards Council
Incident Command System & Emergency Operations Center Interface – 16 hrs (Tested) - Fairbanks, AK
National Fire Academy: Fire Cause Determination for Company Officer – 16 hrs (Tested)
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10 Course – 32 hrs
National Fire Academy: Incident Safety Officer Course – 16 hrs
National Fire Academy: Youth Fire Setting Prevention & Intervention (Level I) – 32 hrs
Alaska Association of Fire & Arson Investigators Fire Investigation Training - Juneau, AK
FEMA ICS Courses (100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800)
National Fire Academy: Fire Modeling / Fire Behavior Course
National Fire Academy: Courtroom Preparation & Testimony - Fairbanks, AK

Affiliations

Member, National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Member, International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Member, Alaska Association of Fire and Arson Investigators

Licenses

No. 11049 - Arkansas - Private Detective, Fairbanks
No. PD-1222 - Arkansas - Private Detective, Anchorage
No. 116878 - Oregon - Private Detective
No. 4705 - Washington - Private Detective

CFEI, PI

Senior Fire Consultant