Telgian Engineering & Consulting, LLC (TEC) recently announced the addition of John Heinen as Regional Practice Leader, Fire Protection Engineering. In this position, Heinen will be responsible for supporting the continued expansion of our forensic and engineering services for TEC clients across a variety of sectors, along with the implementation of traditional fire protection solutions and strategies.
Heinen is a proven leader with over 24 years of experience in fire protection and fire investigations. A Certified International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) Vehicle Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI(V)), IAAI Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT) and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) through the National Association of Fire Investigators. He has acted as the Lead Investigator and Technical Reviewer/Manager for over 3500 cases and assisted with 600 others. His expertise extends to, not only investigation and case management, but expert courtroom testimony, as well.
“John has joined TEC at a crucial juncture, as our forensic engineering practice continues to expand,” says TEC President Leonard Ramo. “His depth of experience is essential, not only to provide expert cause and origin investigations, but to work in tandem with the expert technical resources of TEC. Together, our team can provide a cohesive answer to questions that go beyond ‘How did the fire start?’ to identify what happened and how the systems responded. Understanding the full picture of a loss event from start to end is critical to answering the key questions after the loss occurs, whether it be why the loss occurred, did the systems work, to identifying what do I need to do to prevent this from happening again. TEC’s team creates a unique solution in this space to truly answer these questions.”
In addition to fire investigations, Heinen’s expertise extends to fire and building code consulting, as well as other aspects of general safety and OSHA compliance. Uniquely qualified in the industry, he is also an expert instructor, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of fire professionals via the Virginia Fire Marshal Academy, as an Adjunct Instructor for Fire Investigations (NFPA 1033), and as a IAAI Certified Instructor.
Beyond instruction, Heinen’s experience extends to curriculum development. As part of a team of instructors, he recently re-designed, developed, and delivered a “Basic Fire Investigations” curriculum for the Virginia State Fire Marshal Academy. This course includes legal considerations, initial investigation, fire patterns, cause analysis, building systems, explosions, fatalities, forensic evidence, area of origin, vehicles, and field interviews. As a content creator for Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA), he also developed and designed a national, award-winning safety training program which integrated E-Learning Software and a Learning Management System (LMS) for approximately 500 employees.
Heinen is the recipient of numerous industry awards and accolades. His team was honored as the Fire Investigation Unit of the Year (2017) NC IAAI for outstanding results from a team approach to fire investigations, and he received an individual Achievement Award (2013) from the National Association of Counties Organizations for the LUESA Individual Safety Program. Heinen was also recognized for his part in Operation Noble Eagle, for his response to the Pentagon during the September 11 terrorist attack and received a Lifesaving Award, for recognition of his actions which resulted in the saving of a human life.
Heinen is a graduate of Columbia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science, Fire Science and a Master of Science, Occupational Safety and Health. In addition, he earned an Associate of Applied Science, Fire Science and Arson Detection at Northern Virginia Community College.
His memberships include the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSE) National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), as well as the North Carolina, South Carolina, and New York IAAI chapters.
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with John Heinen, please contact Susan McNeill, Corporate Communications Manager, at smcneill@telgian.com