This training event provides an in-depth introduction to the Basics of Residential Electrical Systems, covering design principles, functionality, and key components. Participants will learn how to conduct and interpret an arc survey, ensuring accurate assessments of potential electrical hazards. The session will also emphasize safety awareness when evaluating electrical systems, reinforcing best practices for risk mitigation.
Additional topics tailored specifically for fire investigators include identifying electrical fire causes, recognizing signs of arc faults and short circuits, analyzing wiring and breaker panel conditions, and understanding how electrical failures contribute to fire ignition and spread. The class will also address NFPA guidelines and best practices for documenting electrical evidence at fire scenes. Real-world case studies will be used to enhance investigative understanding and provide practical context.
We are also pleased to welcome a representative from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) as a featured speaker during this event. The NICB is a non-profit organization committed to preventing, detecting, and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, and public awareness. Their investigators work closely with law enforcement, insurance carriers, and fire service professionals to support complex cases, including those involving arson and suspicious fire losses.
The NICB investigator will offer a brief but insightful overview of the organization’s mission and resources, highlighting how the NICB supports fire and arson investigations through case collaboration, fraud analysis, and information sharing. This session will provide attendees with a valuable opportunity to understand the NICB’s role in enhancing investigative outcomes and to explore how this partnership strengthens efforts to combat insurance-related crimes. Lunch will be provided.
Additional topics tailored specifically for fire investigators include identifying electrical fire causes, recognizing signs of arc faults and short circuits, analyzing wiring and breaker panel conditions, and understanding how electrical failures contribute to fire ignition and spread. The class will also address NFPA guidelines and best practices for documenting electrical evidence at fire scenes. Real-world case studies will be used to enhance investigative understanding and provide practical context.
We are also pleased to welcome a representative from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) as a featured speaker during this event. The NICB is a non-profit organization committed to preventing, detecting, and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, training, and public awareness. Their investigators work closely with law enforcement, insurance carriers, and fire service professionals to support complex cases, including those involving arson and suspicious fire losses.
The NICB investigator will offer a brief but insightful overview of the organization’s mission and resources, highlighting how the NICB supports fire and arson investigations through case collaboration, fraud analysis, and information sharing. This session will provide attendees with a valuable opportunity to understand the NICB’s role in enhancing investigative outcomes and to explore how this partnership strengthens efforts to combat insurance-related crimes. Lunch will be provided.
Location
Frederick County Public Safety Training Academy
5370 Public Safety Place, Frederick, MD 21704
5370 Public Safety Place, Frederick, MD 21704
Date & Time
May 30, 2025,
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Schedule
Morning Session
Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)
Afternoon Session
*Schedule topics and order may change as needed to accommodate participant needs and discussion flow.
- Overview of the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
- Introduction and foundational electrical concepts.
- Key considerations and best practices for electrical fires.
Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)
Afternoon Session
- Application and analysis of electrical fires.
- Case discussions and review.
*Schedule topics and order may change as needed to accommodate participant needs and discussion flow.
Presenters
ROBERT A. NEARY, P.E., CFEI
Mr. Neary received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from The Catholic University of America. He specializes in the origin and cause of electrical failures. He investigates electrical faults and malfunctions, particularly those suspected of causing equipment damage or resulting in a fire, shock, or electrocution. Related incidents are reconstructed to determine the mode, sequence, or component failure resulting in the damage to equipment or personal injury. His background also enables him to analyze various types of electrical utility issues, electrical power equipment and appliances, both onsite and in the laboratory, to determine the mode of failure. He also performs testing to determine the reliability of electrical products. Additionally, he can review and address original design documents and specifications. Mr. Neary is a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) in the District of Columbia, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Mr. Neary holds a Master Electrician’s License in Maryland and Virginia and a Master HVACR Contractor’s License in Maryland. His professional affiliations include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Industry Applications Society (IEEE/IAS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE); International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), and Technical Committee NFPA 70B.
Mr. Neary has provided expert testimony in a court of law.
Mr. Neary received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from The Catholic University of America. He specializes in the origin and cause of electrical failures. He investigates electrical faults and malfunctions, particularly those suspected of causing equipment damage or resulting in a fire, shock, or electrocution. Related incidents are reconstructed to determine the mode, sequence, or component failure resulting in the damage to equipment or personal injury. His background also enables him to analyze various types of electrical utility issues, electrical power equipment and appliances, both onsite and in the laboratory, to determine the mode of failure. He also performs testing to determine the reliability of electrical products. Additionally, he can review and address original design documents and specifications. Mr. Neary is a licensed professional engineer (P.E.) in the District of Columbia, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Mr. Neary holds a Master Electrician’s License in Maryland and Virginia and a Master HVACR Contractor’s License in Maryland. His professional affiliations include the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Industry Applications Society (IEEE/IAS), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE); International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), and Technical Committee NFPA 70B.
Mr. Neary has provided expert testimony in a court of law.
P. CHRIS DOYLE
As a Special Agent for the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Chris assists law enforcement and NICB member companies with investigations of suspected fraudulent insurance claims. Chris routinely inspects vehicles, where the VINs have been altered, to positively identify the vehicle. Chris continues to assist state and local law enforcement with analysis of historical cell site location information records and Google geolocation records.
Chris retired from the fire service with a combined 38 years of service, including the last 24 years as a sworn law enforcement fire marshal. Chris was an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) from 2006 to 2021 and a NAFI Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI) from 2007 to 2022. In 2017, Chris received the IAAI Investigator of the Year Award in Las Vegas, NV.
Chris is a graduate of the FBI Hazardous Devices School and was a member of the Loudoun County (VA) Bomb Squad for 6 years. Chris also served for 18 years as a federal Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a member of the Northern Virginia Arson & Explosives Task Force.
Chris’ area of responsibility with NICB includes Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.
As a Special Agent for the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Chris assists law enforcement and NICB member companies with investigations of suspected fraudulent insurance claims. Chris routinely inspects vehicles, where the VINs have been altered, to positively identify the vehicle. Chris continues to assist state and local law enforcement with analysis of historical cell site location information records and Google geolocation records.
Chris retired from the fire service with a combined 38 years of service, including the last 24 years as a sworn law enforcement fire marshal. Chris was an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) from 2006 to 2021 and a NAFI Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI) from 2007 to 2022. In 2017, Chris received the IAAI Investigator of the Year Award in Las Vegas, NV.
Chris is a graduate of the FBI Hazardous Devices School and was a member of the Loudoun County (VA) Bomb Squad for 6 years. Chris also served for 18 years as a federal Task Force Officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a member of the Northern Virginia Arson & Explosives Task Force.
Chris’ area of responsibility with NICB includes Northern Virginia and Washington, DC.