Michael Weger, IAAI-CFI

2003 E. Parkview Ct.

Visalia, CA. 93292

Office Phone (559) 635-7457 Cell Phone (559) 623-1212 FAX 1 (866) 734-3473

QUALIFICATIONS

I am retired from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection after 34 years of service. I was a Peace Officer under Penal Code Section 830.2. I was appointed to the Department of Forestry’s Arson Investigation Unit on Oct. 26, 1993. I was appointed as the lead Investigator for the State of California’s Major Accident Investigation Unit in 1991. I was also appointed as the Lead Investigator for the Governor’s Arson Task Force in 1992.

I have investigated approximately six thousand fires in my years with the department. The fires I have investigated have varied in type from grass fires to industrial complexes, schools, jails, churches, etc. I have investigated many fires in which fatalities have occurred. I have investigated hundreds of fires of incendiary origin (arson). I have been the lead investigator on many fires in which a successful prosecution was made. I have testified in courts in Tulare County (and other counties) as an expert witness. I have supervised investigations of arson in several areas of the state and have enjoyed successful prosecutions for arson in several counties in the state. I have testified in several civil depositions. I have made several reports of unsafe (potential fire causing) products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I am a Certified Fire Investigator with the International Association of Arson Investigators.

For the past six years I am the owner and chief investigator for Weger Fire Investigations. My current client list includes insurance companies, major utility providers, and attorneys. I have investigated many fires from agricultural, vehicle, and structural categories. My fire investigations have involved fraud, fire deaths, product subrogation, and have varied from small vegetation to very large complex industrial investigations.

EDUCATION

Received an Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Science in 1980

Received a Certificate of Fire Technology in 1978

Completed the Basic Peace Officer Academy in April of 1987.

Graduate of the National Fire Academy, Specializing in Arson Detection and Case Management – July 1998

EMPLOYMENT

1986-2006Fire Captain Investigator, Calif. Department of Forestry

Lead Fire Investigator for large rural area containing 4863 square miles and a population of 429,006 people.

2007 – Present Owner and investigator of Weger Fire Investigations Inc.

TEACHING

I taught Fire Investigation Classes to Federal, State, and local Fire Investigators. I taught classes in Fire Investigation at California Junior Colleges. Former teacher at the College of the Sequoias Police Academy. I am certified by the California State Fire Marshall’s Office to teach Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B.

MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATIVE ORGANIZATIONS

International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)

California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)

Central Valley Arson Investigators Association (CVAI)

Member of Pro Board, National Registry of Fire Service Professionals

National Veteran Owned Business Association (NAVOBA)

PAST CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATION PUBLICATIONS

International Association of Arson Investigator’s “Firehouse Forums.”

Fire Findings, “Investigator’s Exchange”

Phorum 5, A fire investigators open forum

I am licensed (PI# 26454) and insured to investigate fires in the State of California. I am a Certified Fire Investigator with the International Association of Arson Investigators. I am a registered disabled veteran of Vietnam.