Timothy D. Frew

Employment History

• November 2014 - Present
  • Romualdi, Davidson, & Associates
    • Responsible for conducting origin and cause fire and explosion investigations that include the gathering of evidence, scene documentation, interviewing of involved parties, preparing detailed expert reports, testifying as an expert witness.
• January 2013 - October 2014
  • Fire Solutions LLC. Owner/Investigator
    • Responsible for conducting origin and cause investigations into residential structure fires that include the gathering of evidence, scene documentation, interviewing of involved parties, preparing detailed expert reports, testifying as an expert witness.
• February 2007 - January 2013
  • Pennsylvania State Police, Deputy Fire Marshal, Troop A, Indiana & Ebensburg Stations
    • I obtained the full time Deputy Fire Marshal position and continued my duties. During this time my training and education continued until I earned the title of “Certified Fire Investigator” through the International Association of Arson Investigators. I became involved with the Pennsylvania Association of Arson Investigators and subsequently served two terms on the board of directors and was responsible for coordinating the annual training seminar.
• May 2003 - January 2007
  • Pennsylvania State Police, Alternate Deputy Fire Marshal
    • During my tenure in the Criminal Investigation Unit I assumed additional duties as the Alternate Fire Marshal and was assigned these duties at the Ebensburg and Indiana Stations. I was responsible for responding to request for origin and cause related investigations that occurred in Indiana and Cambria counties. These duties included residential structures, commercial buildings, vehicle fires and fatal fires.
• November 2002 - February 2007
  • Pennsylvania State Police, Criminal Investigator Troop A, Somerset and Indiana Stations
    • Responsible for conducting criminal investigations, background investigations, gathering all types evidence, prepared detailed reports, effecting arrests and prosecuting persons at the state and federal court systems.
• August 1993 - November 2002
  • Pennsylvania State Police, Patrol Unit Troop A, Indiana Station
    • Responsible for performing traffic related duties, accident investigations, speed enforcement, responding to emergencies and requests for assistance, maintaining public order.
• March 1993 - August 1993
  • Pennsylvania State Police Academy, Hershey PA
    • 90th Cadet Class, a 27-week course of instruction that included Pennsylvania traffic and criminal statutes, pursuit driving, accident investigation, criminal investigation, first aid, CPR, general police knowledge and skills, interviewing, self-defense and effecting arrests.
• July 1991 - August 1992
  • Babcock & Wilcox, Warren Ave, Apollo, PA
    • Decommissioned uranium fuels fabrication plant. Duties included the removal of the building, performing various test to include ground water monitoring, soil sampling and decontamination activities.
• February 1986 - May 1991
  • United States Marine Corp, Assigned to 6th Marine Regiment / 2nd Marion Division
    • Obtained the rank of Corporal, responsible for leading subordinate Marines in an infantry unit in Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait.

Summary of Qualifications

• Total Fires Investigated to Date - As of January 1, 2019: 1219
• Total Continuing Educational Hours - As of July 1, 2019: 773

Earned Certifications

• October 20, 2006
  • Recognized as Fire Investigator I by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner Certificate No. 230
• October 20, 2006 & August 8, 2016
  • Recognized as Fire Investigator I by the National Board on Fire Professional Qualifications, NFPA 1033-2003 Certificate No. 236411 (Pennsylvania Fire Commission)
• October 14, 2009
  • Recognized as a Fire Investigative Technician by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI - FIT)
• August 8, 2011 & August 8, 2016
  • Recognized as a Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI - CFI) Certificate No. 29-080810
• August 8, 2011
  • Recognized as a Fire Investigator by the National Board on Fire Professional Qualifications NFPA 1033-2009 Certificate No. 298681 (IAAI-CFI)

Testimony

• May 2008
  • Expert Witness Testimony - Jury Trial, Commonwealth VS. Wheeler, Indiana County, Fire Investigation A03-1524145
• July 2008
  • Expert Witness Testimony - Preliminary Hearing, Commonwealth VS. Gaudett, Docket No. CR-286-08, Fire Investigation A03-1556440
• September 2008
  • Expert Witness Testimony - Jury Trial, Commonwealth VS. Adams, Cambria County, PA, Fire Investigation A02-1572314
• July 2009
  • Expert Witness Testimony - Jury Trial, Commonwealth VS. Mack, Cambria County, Fire Investigation A02-2633608
• September 2009
  • Civil Deposition - No. :2007-4828, State Farm Ins. Co. VS. Russel Kosinko, Fire Investigation A02-1455182
• January 5, 2010
  • Grand Jury Testimony - PA Western District US VS. William Russell, Fire Investigation A03-1646299
• June 2011
  • Civil Deposition - No. :2008-10969, Emma M. Sacharczyk VS. Joseph D. Gaudett, Matthew Gaudett and Pennsylvania Electric Company, Fire Investigation A02-1556440
• September 2011
  • Expert Witness Testimony, Preliminary Hearing, Commonwealth VS. McNeil, Fire Investigation A02-1738898
• June 2012
  • Expert Witness Testimony, Preliminary Hearing Docket No. MJ-47303-2012, Commonwealth VS. John Saparo, Fire Investigation A02-1735056
• August 2012
  • Expert Witness Testimony, Preliminary Hearing Docket No. MJ-484-2012, Commonwealth VS. Lewis Paul Beatty, Fire Investigation A03-1777843 &A03-1778406
• April 2014
  • Expert Witness Testimony - Jury Trial, Commonwealth VS. Juanita McNeal, Docket No. CP-11CR-0001801-2011
• January 2017
  • Civil Deposition - No. :AR-15-003729, Donegal Mutual, Insurance Company VS. Sam Firman, Vandestry Service, INC. and Joshua Skrip
• September 2018
  • Civil Arbitration - Allegheny County, Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company a/s/o/, The Mews of Town North VS. Charles Lazar Docket No. AR-18-000448

Professional Development

• May 2003
  • Arson Detection and Fire Investigation - PA State Fire Academy
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7 (1)
    • Fire Science (1)
    • Fire Chemistry (2)
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• September 2004
  • Fire and Arson Investigation - Electrical I - PA State Fire Academy
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• March 2006
  • Respiratory Protection for PA State Police
• May 2006
  • Hazardous Materials First Responder - Operations, Indiana County Fire Academy, Indiana County, PA
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Hazardous Materials (12)
• June 2006
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, Arson Investigation
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• August 2006
  • Fire/Arson Investigation, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Science (1)
    • Fire Chemistry (2)
    • Fire Investigation (8)
    • Fire Analysis (9)
    • Fire Investigation Methodology (10)
• September 2006
  • Building Construction: Non-Combustible and Fire Resistive, PA State Fire Academy
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• October 20,2006
  • Building Construction: Wood and Ordinary, PA State Fire Academy
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• December 2006
  • Concepts of Fire Dynamics, PA State Police
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Dynamics (5)
• June 2007
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, Fire/Arson Investigation
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• November 2007
  • Arc Mapping, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Technology (11)
• December 2007
  • Introduction to Evidence, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Evidence Documentation, Collection and Preservation (15)
• March 2008
  • Documenting the Event, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• June 2008
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, Fire/Arson Investigation
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• September 2008
  • Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Hazards and Solutions, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst Methodology (10)
• September 2008
  • Investigating Fatal Fires, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• November 2008
  • A Ventilation-Focused Approach to the Impact of Building Structures and Systems on Fire Development, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Dynamics (5)
• December 2008
  • Fire and Explosion Investigations: Utilizing NFPA 1003 and 921, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Explosion Dynamics (6)
• December 2008
  • Post Flashover Fires, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Dynamics (5)
• February 2009
  • Insurance and the Fire Investigator, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• April 2009
  • Managing Complex Fire Scene Investigations, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• April 2009
  • Physical Evidence at the Fire Scene, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Evidence Documentation, Collection and Preservation (15)
• June 2009
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, Fire/Arson Investigation
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• June 2009
  • Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• June 2009
  • The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosions, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• June 2009
  • Ethics and the Fire Investigator, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• July 2009
  • Understanding Fire through the Candle Experiment, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Chemistry (2)
• July 2009
  • ARC Mapping Basic, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• September 2009
  • Effective Investigation and Testimony, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• September 2009
  • Digital Photography and the Fire Investigators, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Technology (11)
• November 3, 2009
  • Modern Fire Investigation Techniques, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Technology (11)
• November 3, 2009
  • Instructor for IAAI West Virginia Chapter Fall Seminar - Hero to Zero - Fire Fighter Arsonist
• November 3, 2009
  • Modern Fire Investigation Techniques, by the West Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• January 2010
  • "Jack Christmas" Arson Seminar, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• February 2010
  • Evidence Examination, What Happens at the Lab, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Technology (11)
• April 2010
  • The Hazwoper Standard, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Hazardous Materials (12)
• June 2010
  • Fundamentals of Residential Building Construction, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• June 2010
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, Vehicle Fire Investigation
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• August 2010
  • Motive, Means and Opportunity: Determining Responsibility in an Arson Case, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• November 2010
  • Electrical Safety, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• November 2010
  • Fundamentals of Interviewing, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• November 2010
  • Well Control Incident Management: Effective Strategies & Tactics for Municipal Responders, by Mike Wolford, Incident Management Specialist, Wild Well Control
• January 2011
  • Explosion Dynamics, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Explosion Dynamics (6)
• January 2011
  • Appliance Related Fire Investigations "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• March 2011
  • Search and Seizure, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• April 2011
  • How First Responders Impact Fire Investigation, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• April 2011
  • An Analysis of the Station Night Club Fire, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Computer Fire Modeling (7)
• April 2011
  • Critical Thinking Solves Cases, Presented by CRI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Analysis (9)
• April 2011
  • DNA, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Technology (11)
• April 2011
  • Fire Investigator Scene Safety, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• May 2011
  • Post Blast Investigations, Presented by U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Explosion Dynamics (6)
• June 2011
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, From the Fire Scene to the Court Room
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• June 2011
  • The Fire Investigator & The 2011 NFPA 921 Changes, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• July 2011
  • Fire Protection Systems, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Protection Systems (14)
• September 2011
  • Magna Tek: A Case Study in the Daubert Challenge, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation Methodology (10)
• October 2011
  • Introduction to Fire Dynamics and Modeling Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Dynamics (5)
    • Computer Fire Modeling (7)
• October 2011
  • Charleston Super Sofa Store Fire, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Computer Fire Modeling (7)
• October 2011
  • The Potential Value of Electronic Evidence in Fire Investigations, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Technology (11)
• January 2012
  • Gas &l Oil Fire Furnaces - Failure to Fire "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• March 2012
  • Writing the Initial Origin and Cause Report, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (11)
• June 2012
  • PAAI Annual Seminar, Current Trend and Techniques
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• August 2012
  • Using Resources to Validate your Hypothesis, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Invst. Methodology (10)
• September 2012
  • NFPA 1033 and Your Career, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• January 2013
  • Explosion Investigations/ Investigating CSST Fires "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Explosion Dynamics (6)
• May 2013
  • Residential Electricity for Fire Investigators, Presented by Fire Findings Laboratories
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• August 2013
  • Ethics & Social Media, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
• March 2014
  • Basic Electricity, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• April 2014
  • Residential Electrical Systems, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• October 2014
  • Process of Elimination, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation Methodology (10)
• November 2015
  • Basic Electricity, Utility Systems and Electrical Failures, Presented by Bert Davis, Ph.D., Rich Wunderly, PE, Robert Kimmick, PE
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• January 2016
  • Origin Fire Patterns Persistence in Post Flashover Fires, Fire Dynamics Fundamentals, Behavior of Natural Gas in Fire &l Explosions, "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
    • Fire Dynamics (6)
    • Explosion Dynamics (6)
• February 2016
  • Radiation Safety Training, Nuclear Education Online, University of New Mexico
• April 2016
  • Investigation of Gas and Electrical Appliance Fires, Presented by Fire Findings Laboratories
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• January 2017
  • Radiation Safety Training, Nuclear Education Online, University of New Mexico
• January 2017
  • Origin Fire Patterns Persistence in post Flashover Fires, Managing Major Case Fires, Arc Mapping, Clandestine Lab Response, "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• February 2017
  • Thermometry, Heat and Heat Transfer, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Thermometry (4)
• June 2017
  • Vehicle Fire Investigation, Allegheny County Fire Training Academy
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• October 2017
  • Residential Natural Gas Systems, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• October 2017
  • Investigating Natural Gas Systems, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• October 2017
  • NFPA 921 and 1033 2014 Editions: Important Revisions, Presented by CFI Trainer.Net by IAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation Methodology (10)
• January 2018
  • Radiation Safety Training, Nuclear Education Online, University of New Mexico
• January 2018
  • Forensic Applications of Fire Protection Systems, Investigation of Fire Involving Lighting Fixtures, Scene Investigations involving CSST/HVAC Systems, "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
• June 2018
  • 2018 PAAI June Seminar, Oxygen 101, Origin Matrix Analysis, Arson/Homicide Case Review, Corpus Delecti, Evaluation of Gasoline Ignition Vapors, Fire Scene Evidence, Fire Scene Reporting, Grounding/Bonding and Appliance Failures, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
    • Fire Investigation Methodology (10)
    • Fire Dynamics (6)
• January 2019
  • IAAI-Fire Dynamics, Origin and Cause, Hazardous Materials, "Jack Christmas" Weekend, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
    • Fire Dynamics (6)
    • Hazardous Materials (12)
• April 2019
  • Electrical Systems, Appliances, Failures & Malfunctions, Presented by Allegheny County Fire Marshal's Office, Romualdi Davidson & Associates
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Electricity & Electrical Systems (16)
• June 2019
  • 2019 PAAI June Seminar - Photovoltaic Systems, Lithium Ion Battery Fires & Hazards, Investigating & Litigating Fire Loss For Subrogation Insurers, Presented by PAAI
    • NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7
    • Fire Investigation (8)
    • Fire Investigation Methodology (10)

Professional Affiliations

• 2004 - Present
  • Pennsylvania Association of Arson Investigators (PAAI)
• June 2008 - June 2010
  • PAAI Board of Directors - First Term
• June 2010 - June 2012
  • PAAI Board of Directors - Second Term
• June 2010 - June 2012
  • Chairman, PAAI Annual Seminar Committee
• January 2017 - January 2018
  • PAAI Board of Directors - Third Term
• 2007 - Present
  • International Association of Arson Investigators
• 2017 - Present
  • National Association of Fire Investigators, International