John Rotello

CFI Investigator

JRotello@FireConsultant.org
303.809.9072
PO Box 280709
Lakewood, Colorado 80228

Profile

33 years in the fire service, North Washington Fire Department
18 years as a Battalion Chief
20 years as a Fire Investigator for the Fire Service
Attended over 4,000 hours of fire training
24 years as a private fire investigator
17 years as Owner & Operator of O & C Investigations
28 years of fire investigation training
1,700 hours of specified fire investigation classes
112 hours of teaching fire investigations
Conducted over 100 structure fires for students
Conducted over 200 vehicle fires for students

Professional Experience

1975 - 2008 | North Washington Fire Protection District, Denver, Colorado
1993 - 2000 | Phoenix Investigations, Inc., CFI Investigator
1996 - 2000 | Professional Training Network [Founder and President]
2000 - Present | Origin and Cause Investigation LLC [Founder and President]

Professional Memberships

Present | International Association of Arson Investigators
Past | National Association of Arson Investigators
Present | Colorado Chapter of IAAI
Past | International Chiefs Association
Past | Colorado Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention
1984 - 2000 | Metropolitan Arson Investigators Association
1993 - 1994 | President of Metropolitan Arson Investigators Association
1994 | Chairman for M.A.I.A Seminar

Amplified Resume

North Washington Fire Protection District

Battalion Chief

1975 - 2008

33 years of employment with the North Washington Fire Protection District. Last position held was Battalion Chief [18 years]. Duties include Staff Officer, Shift District Commander, Chief Fire Investigator, Safety Coordinator, Wellness and Fitness Director, Interpersonal Management, Administration, Budgeting, Public Relations, and Planning. Employment began June 18, 1975. 1981 promoted to Engineer, 1985 promoted to Lieutenant, and 1989 promoted to Battalion Chief, retired July 2008.

Phoenix Investigations, Inc.

CFI Investigator

1993 - 2000

Employed part time with Phoenix Investigations, Inc. from May 1993, through January 25, 2000. Duties included lead fire and fraud investigator.

Expert Witness

Qualified expert witness with experience in investigating over 800 fires. Teaches fire investigation at seminars and local police departments. Investigated fires for the North Washington Fire Department for twenty years.

Colorado State Certification Test

One of five committee members responsible for designing the Colorado State Certification Test for fire investigators. The Colorado Division of Fire Safety implemented the test and certifications in January 1995.

Professional Training Network

Started Professional Training Network in 1996.

O & C Investigations

Started O&C Investigations, on January 20, 2000.

Certifications

1978 - 2003 | Emergency Medical Technician Certified
1983 - 1994 | Fire Fighter II Certified
Current | International Association of Arson Investigators Certified
1993 - 2014 | Nationally Association of Arson Investigators Certified
1993 - 2000 | Fire Instructor I Certified
1994 - 2008 | Fire Officer I Certified
1996 - 2008 | Hazard Material Operational Level Certified

Related Education

1984
- Attended the Metropolitan Fire and Explosion Seminar [40 hours] tested.
1985
- Attended the Metropolitan Fire and Explosion Seminar [40 hours] tested.
- Attended the Denver Advance Arson Seminar [40 hours] tested.
- Attended Colorado Training Institute's, Hazardous Material Training Course, [80 hours] tested.
- Attended N.W. F.P.D., Ice Rescue Training [8 hours].
- Attended the National Fire Academy's Advance Arson School [80 hours] tested.
- Attended Colorado Training Institute's, Fire Service Supervision and Team Effectiveness [15 hours].
- Attended an Ice Rescue Course by N.W.F.P.D. [8 hours].
1989
- Attended an Arson and Detection Investigation course by S.W.A.F.D., [16 hours].
- Attended Seminars International's, How to Work with Impossible People [8hours].
- Attended National Fire Academy's, Fire Service Supervision [15 hours].
1990
- Attended the Denver Advance Arson Seminar [40 hours] tested.
- Attended General Motors, Air Bag Deployment [8 hours].
1991
- Attended the Denver Advance Arson Seminar [40 hours] tested.
- Attended the National Fire Academy's, Instructional Techniques [16 hours] tested.
- Instructor for the Metropolitan Arson Investigators Association Seminar [16 hours].
- Attended the National Fire Academy's, Command and Control class [80 hours] tested.
1992
- Attended Lee Cole's, Investigation of Vehicle Fires [24 hours].
- Instructor for the Metropolitan Arson Investigators, Investigation Seminar [16 hours].
- Obtained the Fire Fighter III Certification.
1993
- NAFI Certification.
- Attended the Incident Command Course by the National Fire Academy Outreach [16 hours].
- Attended IAAI's, Fire and Explosion Investigators Course [16 hours] tested.
- Attended Public Agency Training Council's, Arson for Profit Course.
- Attended Arvada Fire Department's, Leadership Training Course.
- Attended Onguard Corporation's, Making a Difference Class [8 hours].
- Attended the California Instructor Workshop [40 hours].
- Obtained the Fire Instructor I Certification.
1994
- Attended the Denver Advance Arson Investigation Seminar [40 hours] tested.
- Attended the Fire Leadership Challenge [16 hours].
- Obtained the Fire Officer I Certification.
- Obtained the Colorado Advisory Committee Certificate of Membership.
- Attended the Partners in Protection, Fire Chiefs Conference.
- Instructor for the Metropolitan Arson Investigators, Investigation Seminar [14 hours].
- Seminar Chairman for Metropolitan Arson Investigators, Investigation Seminar.
1995
- Attended the International Training Association's, Advanced Explosive Investigative Techniques [40 hour] tested.
- Attended the Fire Leadership Challenge.
- NAFI Member.
- Attended an 8-hour course on Building Construction for the Fire Service by Brannigan.
1996
- Attended the Investigations of the Future Course [40 hours] tested.
- Attended the Hazardous Material Operations Level Certification Course.
- Attended the Fire Leadership Challenge [16 hours].
1997
- Organized, Developed, and Instructed an 8 hour course on Vehicle Fires {PTN}.
- Attended the Trupact II Transportation Incident Training, [8 hours].
- Attended the Investigations of the Future Seminar, by IAAI [16 hours] tested.
- Lectured on Fire Control, to Fire Fighter I Students [4 hours].
- Attended IAAI's, Ashes to the Courtroom, [18 hours] tested.
- Attended the Denver Fire Department's Advanced Arson Investigation [40 hours] tested.
1998
- Attended the Public Agency Training Council's, Kinesics Interviewing and Interrogation [24 hours] tested.
- Attended a Safety and Public Education Course in Breckinridge [16 hours].
- Attended a WIPP, Transportation of Nuclear Waste Course [8 hours].
- Developed, and instructed, a 16-hour vehicle fire course [PTN].
- Attended the Denver Advance Arson Investigation [40 hours] tested.
1999
- Attended an Ignite Your Writing Seminar [8 hours].
- Attended the CFI Workshop in San Hose California [40 hours].
- Attended the Public Agency Training Council's, Electrical Fire Investigation class [24 hours] tested.
- Attended the Exceeding Customer Expectations class, [Fire Accreditation 16 hours].
- Attended the Denver Advance Arson Investigation [40 hours] tested.
- Passed the International Association of Arson Investigators test.
- Attended the Phoenix Fire Department's Health, Fitness, and Safety Conference [24 hours].
2000
- Attended the Denver Fire Department's Advanced Arson Investigation, [40hours] tested.
- Attended the Leadership 2000 Challenge in Breckenridge, CO. [16 hours].
2001
- Attended the Denver Fire Department's Advanced Arson Investigation, [40 hours] tested.
- Instructed a 4-hour vehicle fire class to the Colorado Theft Investigators.
- Attended the Fire Leadership Challenge 2001 [16 hours].
2002
- Attended an 8-hour vehicle fire class by PIE.
- Taught a 16 hour class on how to determine the origin and cause of a vehicle fire, for the Metropolitan Arson Investigators Association in Grand Junction, CO.
- Attended a 16 hour leadership class presented by Chief Allan Brunacini, of the Phoenix F.D.
- Attended the Denver Fire Department's Advanced Arson Investigation, [40 hour] tested.
- Attended the Fire Leadership Challenge 2002 [16hrs].
2003
- Taught a Risk Hazard and Value Evaluation class to the North Washington Fire Department.
- Attended Phoenix Fire Department's Health and Fitness Conference
- Attended a Wild land Fire Investigation course sponsored by the Colorado Chapter of IAAI
2004
- Attended an 8-hour course for legal issues in subrogation cases at the Denver Fire Arson Seminar.
- Attended a two-day seminar on Evolution of Change for the Fire Service at the Fire Chiefs Association in Breckinridge, Colorado.
- Attended an 8-hour course on Fire Accreditation in New Orleans.
- Attended a three-day seminar on Fire Leadership in New Orleans.
2005
- Attended a 3-day course on Kinesics Interview through the Public Agency Training Council at the Thornton Police Headquarters, Instructor, Stan Walters.
- Attended a 3-day course on Firehouse Software Education & Training Seminar at the Hyatt Hotel in DTC.
- Attended the Fire Leadership Challenge Seminar in Breckinridge, Colorado
2006
- Attended the International Association of Arson Investigators Seminar in Denver, Colorado. May 1-5. 40 hours.
- Attended Phoenix Fire Department's Wellness and Fitness Symposium
2007
- Attended a Two Day FEMA ICS 200 & 800 Course
- Attended a Three Day FEMA ICS 300 Course
2008
- Taught a Vehicle Fire Class to Insurance Agents
- Attended the IAAI Conference in Denver 40 hrs.
- Attended a FEMA ICS 400 Course
- Attended the Phoenix Wellness and Fitness Symposium 20 hr.
2009
- 8 hours Appliance Fire Causes Training Presented by Hodge Services
- 8 hours Electrical Fire Causes Training Presented by Hodge Services
2010
- Self studies/ Building Construction/Brannigan
- Self Studies/NFPA 921/2008 Edition
- Self Studies/Consumer recalls
2011
- Digital Photograph Series: Techniques and Equipment; Advanced Photography Techniques; Getting the Most from Your DSLR. Presented by Karl Taylor, "Ultimate Photograph Guide"
- Spanish Lessons: Rosetta Stone
2012
- Studying Writers INC; A handbook for writing and learning; from Great Source Education Group
- IAAI Expert Report Writing 8 hour tested
2013
- Taught two arson classes on January 28 and February 1, 2013, for the Colorado Technical University's Criminal Justice Department. 8 hours
- Attended the conference for the: Rocky Mountain Association of Special Investigation Units, May 3, 2013. 8 hours
2014
- IAAI ITC 40 tested contact hours
2015
- Studying NFPA 921 & 1033 2014 Edition
2016
- 4 hour tested "Basic Electricity" presented by CFI Trainer.net
- 16 hour tested "Residential Electricity For Fire Investigators", presented by Fire Findings, class was attended in South Bend Indiana.
- CFI Trainer.NET 3 hour tested NFPA 921 and 1033 2014 editions
- CFI Trainer.NET 5 hour test Wildland Fires Investigation
- CFI Trainer.NET 4 hour tested Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires
2017
- Asbestos Awareness Training Presented by Safety Unlimited (Cert. #17013062190162)
- 2017 IAAI ITC General Sessions 32 tested contact hours
2019
- Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar, Denver Fire Department 20 hour tested
- Colorado Chapter 11th Annual Training Conference, Vail, Colorado 24 hour tested
2020
- ITC Las Vegas Canceled
2021
- ITC Atlantic City Canceled

John Rotello | JRotello@FireConsultant.org | 303.809.9072