Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI
Jeff holds a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Business Administration, an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science, and is a Graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program of the National Fire Academy. Jeff has a vast and diverse background in the fire service and in fire investigations. With over 29 years in the fire service and over 27 years of fire investigation, Jeff is a well-versed and dynamic individual in many facets of fire investigation. Jeff is a Certified Colorado Fire Investigator, Nationally Trained in Wildfire Origin & Cause by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Nationally Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Certified Pyrotechnics Operator, Colorado Certified Fire Instructor, and a Colorado Certified Fire Suppression Systems Inspector. Extensive education on code development and enforcement, along with being in charge of a county-wide fire investigation team, makes Jeff both knowledgeable and an expert at fire investigations. He has been an instructor in Fire Sciences (including fire investigation, building construction and codes & ordinances) at Colorado Mountain College for over 21 years. Due to Jeff's Certified Pyrotechnics expertise, he has been retained as an expert for fireworks claims analysis.
Articles by this Author
Investigations of Wildfire and the Growing Natural Hazard
- By Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI
- Published 06/1/2007
- Fire Origin and Cause
- Unrated
The wildfire problems of the United States continue to plague homeowners, firefighters,and insurers. In fact, the drought of the western U.S. is going into its 10th year, and its effects are showing increasingly. Georgia experienced its largest wildfire in history in April of 2007. A large, stubborn wildfire tied up federal resources in the Lake Superior region for several weeks in 2006. The state of California in particular continues to be plagued with high-loss fires. During the large Oakland fire several decades ago, one home was being consumed every 45 seconds.
Pyrotechnic Fireworks: Beautiful But Dangerous
- By Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI
- Published 07/1/2005
- Personal Injury
- Unrated
For hundreds of years, fireworks have been used for celebration and entertainment, especially in eastern Asia and Japan. The desire for fireworks spread to the United States, and they now are common on New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July, and other special celebrations.
Investigative Challenges in Todays Wildfires
- By Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI
- Published 04/1/2003
- Fire Origin and Cause
-
Rating:
The wildfire season started early in 2002. Colorado experienced significant wildfires in early April at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. Snow is usually still falling at this time in the mountains and foothills, but low snow pack and warm temperatures led to an early wildfire season. As portions of the U.S. experience extreme drought with an uncertain future for the next few seasons we can expect to see an increase in the amount of wildfires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, in 2002 there were 73,457 reported wildfires in the U.S. with over 71,847 acres burned.With wildfires destroying hundreds of homes in the western United States last year, determining the cause of the wildfire has become an important issue for many insurance companies who wish to explore possible subrogation potentials. In some cases the wildfire started in a structure and then spread to the adjacent forest. A standard structural investigation can usually reveal the cause if the fire started in a home; however an added component is then to determine how and where the fire was communicated to the forest or adjacent structures.
International Fire and Building Codes Make Debut - Key to Establishing Liability
- By Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI
- Published 04/1/2002
- Fire Origin and Cause
- Unrated
In this month's issue of The Investigative Engineer, we review the long anticipated adoption of The International Fire & Building Codes. Building and fire codes have been developed and evolved to ensure public safety. In the area of fire investigations and forensic engineering, the applicable codes become vital when establishing not only the origin and cause of fires but in determining the extent of the fire, or establishing if it may have been prevented or minimized.