Michael Weger, IAAI-CFI
2003 E. Parkview Ct.
Visalia, CA. 93292
Office Phone (559) 635-7457 Cell Phone (559) 623-1212
FAX 1 (866) 734-3473
QUALIFICATIONS
I am retired from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection after 34
years of service. I was a Peace Officer under Penal Code Section 830.2. I was
appointed to the Department of Forestry’s Arson Investigation Unit on Oct. 26,
1993. I was appointed as the lead Investigator for the State of California’s Major
Accident Investigation Unit in 1991. I was also appointed as the Lead Investigator
for the Governor’s Arson Task Force in 1992.
I have investigated approximately six thousand fires in my years with the
department. The fires I have investigated have varied in type from grass fires to
industrial complexes, schools, jails, churches, etc. I have investigated many fires
in which fatalities have occurred. I have investigated hundreds of fires of
incendiary origin (arson). I have been the lead investigator on many fires in which
a successful prosecution was made. I have testified in courts in Tulare County
(and other counties) as an expert witness. I have supervised investigations of
arson in several areas of the state and have enjoyed successful prosecutions for
arson in several counties in the state. I have testified in several civil depositions.
I have made several reports of unsafe (potential fire causing) products to the
Consumer Product Safety Commission. I am a Certified Fire Investigator with
the International Association of Arson Investigators.
For the past six years I am the owner and chief investigator for Weger Fire
Investigations. My current client list includes insurance companies, major utility
providers, and attorneys. I have investigated many fires from agricultural, vehicle,
and structural categories. My fire investigations have involved fraud, fire deaths,
product subrogation, and have varied from small vegetation to very large
complex industrial investigations.
EDUCATION
Received an Associate of Arts Degree in Fire Science in
1980
Received a Certificate of Fire Technology in 1978
Completed the Basic Peace Officer Academy in April of 1987.
Graduate of the National Fire Academy, Specializing in
Arson Detection and Case Management – July 1998
EMPLOYMENT
1986-2006 Fire Captain Investigator, Calif. Department of Forestry
Lead Fire Investigator for large rural area containing 4863
square miles and a population of 429,006 people.
2007 – Present Owner and investigator of Weger Fire Investigations Inc.
TEACHING
I taught Fire Investigation Classes to Federal, State, and
local Fire Investigators. I taught classes in Fire
Investigation at California Junior Colleges. Former teacher
at the College of the Sequoias Police Academy. I am
certified by the California State Fire Marshall’s Office to
teach Fire Investigation 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, 2B.
MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)
Central Valley Arson Investigators Association (CVAI)
Member of Pro Board, National Registry of Fire Service
Professionals
National Veteran Owned Business Association (NAVOBA)
PAST CONTRIBUTOR TO THE FOLLOWING PROFESSIONAL FIRE INVESTIGATION
PUBLICATIONS
International Association of Arson Investigator’s “Firehouse Forums.”
Fire Findings, “Investigator’s Exchange”
Phorum 5, A fire investigators open forum
I am licensed (PI# 26454) and insured to investigate fires in the State of
California. I am a Certified Fire Investigator with the International
Association of Arson Investigators. I am a registered disabled veteran of
Vietnam.