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KHFC Update on COVID-19

COVID-19 Commitment & Support

Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting is monitoring the current situation with COVID-19. We value and prioritize the health and safety of our staff, our clients, our colleagues, and their families as one of our paramount goals.  We are keeping our employees informed of best practices available to ensure their health and safety and have implemented protective guidelines for our team involved in activities and interactions with persons in the field.

We recognize the negative impact COVID-19 is having on businesses and communities and we wish to remind you that we continue to be available to support you with our commitment to excellence.  Our company has a strong track record of being capable of handling the most complex and demanding forensic activities and investigations, including those with known airborne hazards.  The COVID-19 pandemic will not change our focus or our ability to continue to maintain this high standard and forensic services for you with the highest level of care.

As part of the many forensic services offered by KHFC, our Forensic Support Team is focused on just that, support. The members of our forensic support team have been trained to enter contaminated and hazardous sites to include those known or suspected of being exposed to COVID-19. Our technicians are available to assist with harmful or high-risk entrees to provide support, documentation and/or gather information for your claim or supportive activities.

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Photo of Forensic Technician Daniel Holtzapple documenting a confirmed airborne hazardous site while in PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Accomplishing our mission in forensic activities, support, fire and explosion investigations, while maintaining the highest level of safety is always our primary objective, while continuing to provide our clients with the highest possible level of service and expertise.  If there are any questions about our ability to assist with your supportive needs, we strongly encourage you to contact us.

KHFC SPONSORS DELAND LITTLE LEAGUE

Supporting a recreational outlet in the community, KHFC sponsors DeLand Little League. Check out our banners at the Chipper Jones Baseball Complex in DeLand, FL! We wish the city’s teams good luck in their upcoming season.

KHFC SANFORD FACILITIES ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL EVIDENTIARY STORAGE

The team is happy to announce that we now offer over 10,000 square feet of evidence storage, after procuring an additional warehouse at our corporate office and laboratory in Sanford, FL. This new space can house large evidentiary storage, as well as large groups for laboratory examinations. Our well-trained staff can host any lab exam, even if KHFC is not directly involved in the case. For more information on renting one of our spaces, please contact Sky Dollar in our offices (407-416-4991).

DANIEL HOLTZAPPLE RECEIVES FAA DRONE CERTIFICATION

Congratulations to Daniel Holtzapple on obtaining his remote pilot license, making him the second in the company, alongside Stephen Dollar. Both members of our team are available to utilize unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at scene inspections within the governed regulations. Feel free to give us a call to see how the UAS may be of benefit on your next assignment (407-416-4941).

KHFC PARTNERS WITH IASIU FOR MARINE VESSEL FIRE BURN & LEARN

Our Certified Marine Fire Investigator, Andy Redding, along with the rest of the KHFC Team and IASIU North Florida, teamed up on October 17th for a Marine Vessel Fire Presentation at the Fire Academy of the South. Mr. Redding had the opportunity to share his wealth of knowledge of boat fires for free CE credits. This included live burns of two vessels and a BBQ lunch. Look out for more events like this in the future!

KEVIN HAYS AND STEPHEN DOLLAR ATTEND NIST EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE

Mr. Hays and Mr. Dollar had the privilege of attending National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Evidence Management Conference with other industrial professionals around the country in Maryland from October 2nd-4th. They were able to take back successes, lessons and best practices to apply in the field and share within the company.

Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting, LLC. Receives 2019 Best of Sanford Award

Sanford, Florida October 8, 2019

Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting, LLC. has been selected for the 2019 Best of Sanford Award in the Laboratory category by the Sanford Award Program.

Each year, the Sanford Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Sanford area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2019 Sanford Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Sanford Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Sanford Award Program:

The Sanford Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Sanford area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Sanford Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Sanford Award Program

CERTIFIED MARINE INVESTIGATOR, ANDY REDDING, ATTENDS IAAI MARINE CLASS IN LOUISIANA

In February, our own, Andy Redding, attended IAAI’s week-long marine event of teachings on the following, but not limited to: marine legal aspects, evidence collection and preservation, joint inspections, marine electrical systems, processing the scene, NFPA 921 & 1033. The presentation ended with a team inspection of a vessel where the boat was burned and videotaped to conclude if the investigation was accurate. We appreciate Andy returning with additional knowledge to share to our team and to apply to his own vessel cases.

KHFC IN ATTENDANCE AT IAAI’S INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

A fantastic conference was put on by the IAAI board at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville last month. The KHFC Team especially enjoys this particular conference, where the investigators can both attend classes and meet clients and colleagues while exhibiting at the vendor booth. We thank all for their participation and are excited to attend IAAI’s Florida Chapter conference in Daytona Beach at the end of the year.

KHFC BRINGS ON NEW FIRE INVESTIGATOR, GEOFF SPINNER, AND OPENS A SOUTH FLORIDA OFFICE

We are so very pleased to expand the company and welcome, Geoff Spinner to our team. Geoff retired from the public sector with over 32 years in the fire service industry. Geoff is a certified fire investigator with a wealth of fire investigative experience. Among his many accomplishments as a fire investigator, Geoff has provided expert fire origin & cause testimony in both state and federal courts. Geoff will be based out of our brand new South Florida Satellite office in Stuart, Florida. Geoff can be contacted at 772-801-1051 geoff@kevinhaysfire.com with any questions, or Sky Santos can be contacted at 407-416-4941 sky@kevinhaysfire.com for immediate assistance with South Florida origin & cause needs.