Michael Davis

IAAI-CFI, IAAI CFI(V), IAAI CFI(M)

Senior Fire Consultant

Biography

Michael (Mike) Davis is a Fire Investigator with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors.  Michael is a valued member of the Fire Investigation team at YA Group.

He is an IAAI‑Certified Fire Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, Certified Marine Fire Investigator, NAFI‑Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, and NAFI‑Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator. His background includes conducting fire investigations involving residential and commercial structures, vehicles, agricultural equipment, and appliances. He also reviewed sites, buildings, sprinkler systems, and fire alarm plans. Michael served as Incident Commander for a FEMA team following an F3 tornado in 2008.

Michael received specialized training in fire origin and cause determination, large‑loss fire investigations, marine fire investigations, agricultural equipment fire investigations, vehicle fire investigations, residential fire investigations, appliance fire investigations, wildland fire investigations, evidence collection, fire science, fire behavior, fire dynamics, chemistry, the flammability and combustibility of liquids and dusts, and witness interviews. He was well‑versed in standard practices for fire scene investigation, excavation, evidence collection, and chain of custody, following industry guidelines such as NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033. He provided investigation services and expert witness support to manufacturers, insurance carriers, and attorneys.

Michael also performed investigative work internationally, including projects involving building explosions and large fires on marine cargo ships in Panama.

Credentials

  • IAAI-CFI
  • IAAI CFI(V)
  • IAAI CFI(M)
  • NAFI CFEI
  • CVFI
  • Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) + Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), CFI(M)
  • Certified Fire + Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)

Representative Consulting Assignments

  • Large loss commercial structure fire investigations | marine fire investigations, agricultural equipment fire investigations, vehicle fire investigations, residential fire investigations, lithium ION battery fire investigations, appliance fire investigations, wildland fire investigations, evidence collection, fire science, behavior, dynamics and chemistry, flammability/combustibility of liquids/dusts and witness interviews.

Professional Experience

  • 2026 - Current | Senior Fire Consultant | YA Group
  • 2020 - 2026 | Senior Fire Investigator | Jensen Hughes, Inc.
  • 2014 - 2020 | Senior Fire Investigator | EFI Global
  • 2012 - 2014 | Fire Investigator/Inspector | Campbell County Fire Department
  • 2000 - 2011 | Fire Marshal/Fire Investigator | Windsor/Severance Fire Protection District

Area of Practice

  • Marine Structures

Publications and Presentations

  • Davis, M. "Basic methodology. How to determine the origin (s), then investigate the causation using the systematic approach." Chapter 4, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Evidence Collection. How to recognize physical evidence for proper collection, documentation and preservation for potential further testing, evaluation or courtroom presentation." Chapter 16, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Electricity and Fire. The analysis of electrical systems and equipment with emphasis on buildings with 120/240 Volt single-phase electrical systems." Chapter 8, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Legal Considerations. Understanding all relevant legal restrictions, requirements, obligations, and standards so that the investigator recognizes the need for legal advice, knowledge or information." Chapter 11, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Planning the investigation/Recording the Scene. To have the ability to identify basic considerations of concern for the investigator prior to beginning the scene investigation." Chapters 15 and 16, NFPA 921 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Origin Determination. Defining the area of origin and/or point of origin using an appropriate methodology." Chapter 17, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Fire Cause Determination. The process of identifying the first fuel ignited, the ignition source, the oxidizing agent, and the circumstances that resulted in the fire." Chapter 19, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Accidental Fire Cause. Identifying fires that do not involve those for which the proven cause does not involve an intentional human act to ignite or spread fire where it should not be." Chapter 22, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Incendiary Fire Cause. Identifying fires that are deliberately set with the intent to cause a fire to occur where the fire should not be." Chapter 22, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.
  • Davis, M. "Explosion Investigations. Determining the type of explosion, what level or order of explosion." Chapter 7, NFPA 921, 2008 Edition.

Education

  • Aims Community College - Associate of Applied Science - Fire Science Technology

Training Courses

  • IAAI Marine Fire Credential Endorsement, 2025
  • AAI Marine Fire Credential Endorsement Test, 2025
  • Insurance and the Fire Investigation, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • Commercial Kitchen Fires 1, Fundamentals, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • Preventing Occupational Exposures to Carcinogens at the fire Scene, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • Site Safety Assessment, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • Writing the Initial Origin and Cause Report, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • Certificate in Marine Fire Safety, Lloyds Maritime Academy 2025
  • Marine Fire Investigation, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • Preparation for the Marine Fire Scene, IAAI-CFITrainer.net, 2025
  • 2024 ITC – Building Confidence in Origin and Cause Determinations
  • 2024 ITC – Insurance Claims for Fire and Explosion Investigators
  • 2024 ITC – Lightning – Induced CSST Fire Claims and Litigation
  • 2024 ITC – Obarrio Street, Panama City, Panama Building Explosion Case Study 2024 ITC – The Little-Known Evolution of Solid Fuel Inserts and Their Potential Failure Points
  • 2024 ITC – Understanding PTSD and Moral Injury in Fire and Explosion Investigations
  • 2024 ITC - Understanding ATF CSST and Lightning
  • 2024 ITC – Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence
  • 2024 ITC - State v. Claude F Garrett and the Application of the Scientific Method
  • Fundamentals of Interviewing, IAAI - CFITrainer.net, 2022
  • Basic Electricity, IAAI - CFITrainer.net, 2022
  • Introduction to Appliances, IAAI - CFITrainer.net, 2022
  • S-110 Basic Wildland Fire Orientation, NWCG (2014), 2022
  • FI-210 Wildland Fire Origin and Cause, NWCG (Pre-Course Work 2016), 2022
  • Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar, Denver Fire Department, 2021
  • Critical Evaluation and Testing of Commonly Reported Accidental Causes, International Association of Arson
  • Investigators (IAAI) - CFITrainer.net, 2020
  • Ethical Duties Beyond the Fire Scene, IAAI - CFITrainer.net, 2020
  • OSHA Asbestos Awareness Training #1360, Safety Compliance Management, 2018
  • Public Agency Training Council, Hands-on Vehicle Fire/Arson Investigation, 2018

Affiliations

  • Member, International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
  • Member, International Association of Arson Investigators, Montana Chapter, Colorado Chapter
  • Member, National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)

Licenses

  • Arizona - Licensed Private Investigator (PI)
  • Montana - Licensed Private Investigator (PI)
  • New Mexico - Licensed Private Investigator (PI)
  • Washington - Licensed Private Investigator (PI)
  • Nevada - Licensed Private Investigator (PI)
  • Missouri - Certified Private Investigator
  • Wyoming - Certified Private Investigator