Our Team

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CHRIS WARD
Investigator

Mr. Ward is Principle and Owner of Ward & Associates Forensic Fire Investigations. Mr. Ward has over 29 years of experience in the fire service and fire prevention and 25 years of Fire Investigation related experience. 

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He has investigated over 2000 fires in both the public and private sector. Mr. Ward has conducted over 150 live fire demonstrations for training and testing purposes in both structures and vehicles. He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions as well as product liability investigations. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He holds a Bachelors degree in Fire Science from Southern Illinois University. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI). He is an active member of the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators where he currently holds the position of Vice President and Chairman of the Training and Education Committee. He is an active member of the International Association of Arson Investigators where he serves as Chairman of the IAAI Insurance Committee. He has frequently presented classes and courses on Fire Investigations to the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, International Association of Special Investigative Units and the National Society of Professional Private Investigators.
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CHRIS DIEBOLD
Investigator

Mr. Diebold has over 16 years of experience in the Fire Service, Law Enforcement and Fire Investigation related experience. He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector.

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He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions as well as product liability investigations. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He holds an A.A.S degree in both Fire Science and Law Enforcement from the College of Dupage. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI).
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DAN MULLNER
Investigator

Mr. Mullner has over 16 years of experience in the Fire Service and Fire Investigation related experience. He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector. 

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He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions as well as product liability investigations. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He holds an A.A.S degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CFVI).
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MIKE COSENTINO
Investigator

Mr. Cosentino has over 17 years of experience in the Fire Service and Fire Investigation related experience. He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector. 

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He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions as well as product liability investigations. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He is currently enrolled at the College of Dupage obtaining an A.S.S in Fire Science. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI).
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CHUCK CASAGRANDE
Investigator

Mr. Casagrande has over 11 years of experience in the Fire Service and Fire Investigation related experience. He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector.

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He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector. He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He is currently working on obtaining his A.A.S degree in Fire Science from Harper College. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI).
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ISAAC SALAZAR
Investigator

Mr. Salazar has over 9 years of experience in the Fire Service and Fire Investigation related experience. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, evidence collection. 

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He holds an A.A.S degree in Fire Science from Joliet Junior College. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT) and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI). Mr. Salazar is fluent in Spanish and can assist claims adjuster with translating during scene inspections. Mr. Salazar also oversees our UAS Drone program and holds a UAS certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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SHAWN AHRENS
Investigator

Mr. Ahrens has over 24 years of experience in the Fire Service and Fire Investigation related experience. He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector.

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He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector. Mr. Ahrens has conducted live fire demonstrations for training and testing purposes in both structures and vehicles. He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions as well as product liability investigations. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He holds a Bachelors degree in Fire Science from Southern Illinois University. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI). He is an active member of the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators where he currently holds the position of Treasurer.
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STEVE RYBKA
Investigator

Mr. Rybka has over 20 years of experience in the Fire Service and Fire Investigation related experience. He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector.

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He has investigated hundreds of fires in both the public and private sector. He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecutions as well as product liability investigations. His areas of expertise include fire investigation origin and cause, forensic scene examinations, explosion analysis, product failure and liability issues. He is certified by the International Association of Arson Investigators as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators-Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI), and the National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI). He is an active member of the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, MABAS Division 19 Fire Investigation team and the Will, Cook, Grundy Fire Investigation Taskforce.
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DAVE DEWOLF
Investigator

International Association of Arson Investigators-Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI) Illinois State Certified Fire Investigator

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Illinois State Certified Firefighter III Illinois State Certified Instructor II Illinois State Certified Hazardous Materials First Responder National Incident Management System 100-200-400-500-700

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ROB PILCH
Investigator

International Association of Arson Investigators
Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators MABAS Division II Fire Investigation Division Coordinator International Association of Fire Firefighters
Illinois Professional Firefighters Association

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International Association of Arson Investigators-Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) Illinois State Certified Fire Investigator Illinois Fire Officer II Illinois State Certified Firefighter III Illinois State Certified Instructor I Illinois State Certified Hazardous Materials Technician A Illinois State Certified Fire Apparatus Engineer Illinois State Certified Roadway Extrication Technician National Incident Management System 100-200-400-500-700

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BRIAN R. TOKARCZYK
Investigator

International Association of Arson Investigators-Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) Illinois State Certified Fire Investigator Illinois Fire Officer II Illinois State Certified Firefighter III Illinois State Certified Instructor I Illinois State Certified Hazardous Materials Technician A Illinois State Certified Fire Apparatus Engineer Illinois State Certified Roadway Extrication Technician National Incident Management System 100-200-400-500-700

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Teaching Experience: University of Illinois Fire Service Institute Field Instructor 2007- Present Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators-Live Fire Scenarios Affiliations/Memberships: International Association of Arson Investigators Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators MABAS Division II Fire Investigation Division Coordinator International Association of Fire Firefighters Illinois Professional Firefighters Association 

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DAVE DEWOLF
Investigator

International Association of Arson Investigators-Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) National Association of Fire Investigators-Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI) Illinois State Certified Fire Investigator

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Illinois State Certified Firefighter III Illinois State Certified Instructor II Illinois State Certified Hazardous Materials First Responder National Incident Management System 100-200-400-500-700

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CONTACT
US

 

"We Dig to Find the Truth!"

Address: P.O. Box 201, Manhattan, IL 60442

Phone: (815) 405-5491

Fax:  (815) 478-7635

E-Mail: wardfire@wardfire.net

Or use our contact form.

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