Blog
Kevin B Hays Fire Consulting in Publication
CHECK IT OUT!
Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting, LLC was featured in the August 2021 issue of Professional Safety Journal of the American Society of Safety Professionals. On page 23, you will see KHFC Technician, Daniel Holtzapple, showing the proper use of PPE (personal protective equipment) at a post-fire scene.
Cove Appliance Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard
On June 16 2021 Cove Appliance issued a recall of their 24″ built-in dishwashers due to a fault in the heating element. The heating element in the dishwasher can fail to properly shut off and can overheat, posing a fire hazard. The firm has received five reports of burning smells, flames and smoking inside the dishwashers. No injuries have been reported.
his recall involves approximately 42,000 Cove Appliance 24-inch built-in residential dishwashers model numbers DW2450 and DW2450WS. The recalled dishwashers have serial numbers 20000100 through 20044445. The model number, serial number and date code are printed on the product rating plate located inside the dishwasher. “Cove” is printed on the outside of the door and on the far right side of the control panel, located on the top of the unit’s door.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers, unplug them from their power source, and contact Cove Appliance to schedule a free repair. Cove Appliance will install a second thermal protection device and replace the dishwasher’s heating element.
Consumer Contact:
Cove Appliance toll-free at 888-651-9376 from 8:30 a.m.to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, e-mail at support@coveappliance.com or online at coveappliance.com/recall or at www.coveappliance.com and click “learn more” in the safety recall section for more information.
The dishwashers were manufactured in the United States by Cove Appliance Inc., of Madison, Wisconsin, and sold by home appliance stores nationwide from February 2018 through May 2021 for between $2,400 and $2,500.
Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting LLC to attend upcoming FLCC Conference.
Representatives from the offices of KHFC will be on hand at the 2021 Florida Liability Claims Conference to be held June 16th through 18th, at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista. Please stop by and introduce yourself.
Cody Hays Graduates from Underwater Criminal Investigation College in Columbus Georgia.
Dive Team Leader Cody Hays, highlighted far right side, attended and graduated the prestigious UCI (Underwater Criminal Investigator) College hosted by Chattahoochee Scuba in Columbus, Georgia. Cody was among a hand full of elite divers to complete the entire three week UCI program.
The UCI course is a comprehensive program for certified divers to expand and hone their underwater skills. The attendees study the fundamentals of recovering objects and victims from underwater, practice different searching and recovery skills in controlled, but realistic situations in low to zero visibility environments. The training culminates with actual search, investigate and recovery missions.
We are proud to share Cody’s success in continuing to expand his knowledge and experience.
Congratulations Cody!
2021 IAMI Conference
A team from Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting LLC was on hand at this years International Association of Marine Investigators Training and Conference in Orlando Florida. Kevin and Keli were on hand to share information and connect with agencies and investigators attending the event.
We would like to thank all of the individuals who took the time to say hello, and inquire of our marine and land based services. We would also like to say congratulations to Mr. Dean Vanderbush from the Orange County Sheriff‘s Office, for winning our drawing for the Lenovo- Google Assistant Smart Clock.
Captain Ron Martin – In Memorial
Captain Ron Martin
March 6, 1944 – January 12, 2021
Captain Ron Martin, Prince George’s County Fire Department, Maryland (Retired), passed away January 12, 2021 after a long illness. Ron was married to Dorothy on July 3, 1967 and is survived by his, her, and their three children, Gary Wayne Martin of St. Augustine, Florida, Cynthia Lynn Howard of Texas and Barbara Ann Bailey of Lusby, Maryland. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Lojacono of Owing, Maryland and Bill Martin (Jane) of Bowie, Maryland. Additionally, he is survived by 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved him dearly.
During his fire department career he served as engine and truck company officer, Staff Operations Duty Officer, and Commander of the Fire Investigation Unit and Bomb Squad. During his investigative career, he commanded the Prince George Fire Department team with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Abortion Clinic Bombing Task Force investigating and bringing to justice the abortion clinic bombers that were terrorizing the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Following his retirement from PGFD, he relocated to the west coast of Florida and continued his fire, arson and explosion investigations with SEA and more recently with Bruce Kerns Investigations in Tampa.
In addition, Ron served on the federal government’s National Disaster Medical System under the Department of Health and Human Services where he responded as the Emergency Operations Specialist to federally declared disasters in multiple states. Most notable of these was serving at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on New York City on September 11, 2001 and in Louisiana following the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when he served as Management Support Team Commander.
Throughout his career in the fire service and beyond, he was always the strongest possible supporter of continuing education for fire fighters and fire investigators. Captain Martin served as a mentor to many professional, public, and private sector investigators.
Please keep his family in your prayers.
Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention general meeting and training
 When: Thursday, January 21, 2021 9am-12pmWhere: Kevin B. Hays Fire Consulting, LLC1470 Kastner Place, Suite 112 Sanford, FL 32771 OR Join via Zoom (Link will be sent out next week) 9am-10am: General Member Meeting 10am-12pm: Training Meeting Continental Breakfast & Snacks will be provided Electrical Fire Demonstrations & Investigative Considerations Presented by: KHFC Team 2 hours of approved adjuster continuing education credits For adjuster credit if joining via Zoom, please email: sky@kevinhaysfire.com for a sign in form If planning to attend in person, please also email sky@kevinhaysfire.com to RSVP |
KHFC Respiratory Protection Program Fit Testing
Kevin Hays Fire Consulting team members recently congregated at the main office in Sanford Florida for our semi-annual meeting. This meeting provides opportunities for continuing education in various facets of the fire and explosive investigation service, as well as peer review and planning.
To ensure proper protection for our investigative teams, KHFC has implemented a Respiratory Protection Program. Working in environments that have experienced fire or explosive changes creates a significant exposure risk to health damaging agents. For example, a typical structure fire may generate literally tens of thousands of toxic chemicals and gasses as a variety of materials and products are burned.
The respiratory protection program creates standards for helping to minimize the exposures by providing appropriate respiratory filtration masks. Annual fit testing is required as part of the program, and ensures each individual is wearing equipment that appropriately seals around the wearers face. A proper seal is essential to the protection offered by the mask. Therefore, fit testing is a required safety measure necessary for the protection of our personnel.
The photo shows Kevin Hays undergoing fit testing in the KHFC lab by team mate Stephen Dollar in our lab.
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.
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.
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