51st Annual Origin and Cause Seminar

Seminar Description

The seminar will begin on Wednesday morning with our opening ceremonies. After our last alarm and introduction, we will begin with an in-depth discussion of Vehicle Mechanical and Electrical Systems with Clevon Sparks and Brad Galgoci from General Motors. To close out the remainder of Wednesday, we will have Tim Herndon and Devin Jordan of Herndon & Associates present on Vehicle Fire Investigation.

On Thursday morning, students will inspect pre-burned vehicles and scenarios at OCC CREST. On Thursday afternoon the course will wrap up with students presenting their field investigation findings and reviewing videos of the actual burns with the instructors.

This is a tested seminar. Seminar is MCOLES approved and 14 fire inspector CE pointss have been applied for. Please present your smoke number at registration if possible; if you are unable to do so and would like credit, please bring your number to the seminar.

Our Distinguished Speakers

Mr. Tim Herndon
Herndon and Associates
Timothy Herndon is the C.O.O. at Herndon & Associates located in Livonia, MI. He is an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and an IAATI Certified Auto Theft investigator (CATI) specializing in mobile property investigations in the US and Canada. He has examined over 10,000 vehicles involved in reported thefts and/or fires in his 27 year career with the firm. He instructs regularly for Law Enforcement, Fire Service and the insurance industry and has testified and been qualified as an expert in District, County and Federal courts throughout the country.

Mr. Devin Jordan
Herndon and Associates
Devin Jordan is Chief Financial Officer at Herndon & Associates, based in Livonia, Michigan. With a career spanning over two decades specializing in areas such as motor vehicle fires, vehicle theft, ignition systems, watercraft, and recreational vehicle fires. He holds an associate degree in Fire Science from Henry Ford Community College and an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Schoolcraft College. He is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), a Certified Vehicle Crime Specialist through the International Association Of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), and holds certifications from various institutions and organizations, including the Michigan State Police. In his role at Herndon, he has examined thousands of vehicles involved in fires and/or thefts and conducted numerous live fire demonstrations, simulating accidental and incendiary fires. He has instructed for various organizations and agencies, sharing his expertise on vehicle fire and theft investigations. He has also testified as an expert witness in vehicle fire and auto theft in various judicial circuits and courts across multiple states.

Mr. Brad Galgoci
General Motors
Brad Galgoci is a Senior Technical Expert at General Motors, LLC with 24 years of experience in vehicle electrical systems and vehicle fire investigation. Brad has earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Engineering in Global Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Michigan. Brad joined General Motors in 2000 and has held numerous positions in Vehicle Assembly Engineering, Electrical Development & Validation, Power & Signal Distribution, and Engineering Analysis. Since joining the General Motors Engineering Analysis Vehicle Fire team, Brad has acquired extensive training and experience in fire investigation and has achieved NAFI certification as a Fire and Explosion Investigator. Brad is an instructor for vehicle fire investigation classes, holds a patent for tailgate wiring, is a SAE journal technical paper author, and is the chairman of the SAE Fire Safety Committee.

Mr. Clevon Sparks
General Motors
Clevon Sparks is a Technical Expert at General Motors, LLC with 24 years of experience in vehicle HVAC & powertrain cooling systems and vehicle fire investigation. Clevon has earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University. Clevon developed his vehicle systems and integration knowledge while holding manufacturing, engineering, and project leadership positions at a tier-1 systems supplier over 15 years. Clevon joined General Motors as a safety forensic engineer primarily focusing on vehicle fires. Clevon recently moved to the Engineering Analysis Vehicle Fire Team, where he continues to develop his expertise through training, consulting, and vehicle fire investigations. Clevon is a global training instructor and also instructs vehicle systems class for field inspectors. Clevon is also a Deputy Chief in the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Reserve Division, where he has worked on and led various special field operation teams for over 18 years.

Wednesday May 1 (G Building)

7:45 AM — Registration - Continental Breakfast Provided

8:15 AM — Last Alarm and Introductions

8:30 AM — Vehicle Mechanical Systems – Clevon Sparks

10:15 AM — Vehicle Electrical Systems - Brad Galgoci

11:45 AM — Lunch (not provided)

1:00 PM — Vehicle Fire Investigation – Tim Herndon and Devin Jordan

4:30 PM — Adjournment

Thursday May 2 (OCC CREST & G Building)

8:00 AM — Arrival - Continental Breakfast Provided – at OCC CREST

8:30 AM — Student Examination of Pre-Burned Vehicles

11:30 AM — Lunch (not provided) RETURN TO G-BUILDING

1:00 PM — Student Presentations – Investigation Team Representatives

2:15 PM — Review Pre-Burn Videos – Mr. Herndon, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Sparks

3:30 PM — Round Table Discussion with Instructors

4:00 PM — Testing

4:30 PM — Adjournment

Breaks will be taken on a regular basis on both days. Snacks and drinks will be provided in the afternoon.