Southern Fire Analysis


In MEMORIAM: Bill Almon



On January 15th of 2026 we lost a beloved member of our team. William “Bill” Almon has been working with us for the last several years. Making an impression with his great sense of humor, wit, and a steadfast attitude towards getting things right. Known and respected in the field with many years of experience as a fire investigator, fighter, and chief. With heavy hearts and a great love for all that he has done for us, you will be missed dearly.




our Staff



Gary L. Haun, Jr.



Certified Chief Fire & Explosion Investigator
IAAI-CFI(v)/FIT/ECT/NAFI-CFEI/CVFI/CFII/VA-CFI/ASE



  • Second generation Fire Investigator
  • 40 years of experience in fire investigation strictly for the insurance industry
  • Testified as an Expert Witness for both State and Federal courts in both civil & criminal cases in multiple states
  • Certified Fire Investigator through IAAI
  • Certified Fire Investigator Technician through IAAI
  • Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement through IAAI
  • Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator through NAFI
  • Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator through NAFI
  • Certified Fire Investigator Instructor through NAFI
  • Virginia Certified Fire Investigator through the Virginia Fire Marshal's Academy
  • Certified Evidence Collection Technician through International Association of Arson
  • Investigators Certified in Burn Pattern Recognition through PATC
  • ASE Automotive Certification, one of only a handful of experts in the US to hold this level of certifications in automotive combined with Fire Investigation certifications
  • Private Investigator through the state of Virginia DCJS # 99026404
  • Private Investigator through the state of North Carolina
  • Two time Graduate of the National Fire Academy
  • Created The Tetrahedron Committee: a pro bono fire arson case review panel in with top experts from around the world to address wrongful arson convictions


Ted Dzen



Certified Fire Investigator
NAFI-CFEI/CVFI/IAAI-FIT



  • Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator through NAFI
  • Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator through NAFI
  • Fire Investigator Technician through IAAI
  • Private Investigator through the state of Virginia
  • Extensive on the job training with second generation fire investigator with 40 years of experience​


Joshua Tomon



Certified Fire Investigator
NAFI-CFEI/IAAI-FIT(v)/ECT



  • Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator through NAFI
  • Fire Investigator Technician through IAAI
  • Evidence Collection Technician through IAAI
  • Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement through IAAI
  • Certified Fire Investigator in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey
  • Private Investigator through the state of Virginia
  • International Code Council Fire Inspector I & II
  • NFPA Pro Board-Certified
    • ​Fire Investigator
    • Fire Officer I, II, & III
    • Fire Instructor I & II
    • Fire Inspector I, II, & III
    • Plans Examiner I & II
    • Fire & Life Safety Educator I
    • Incident Safety Officer
    • Driver/Operator Pumper & Aerial
    • Hazardous Materials Technician
    • Hazardous Materials Incident Commander
    • Airport Firefighter
    • Firefighter I & II
  • Virginia Certified Fire Prevention Inspector
  • Virginia Certified Emergency Medical Technician
  • Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician


J. Kevin Norred



Certified Fire Investigator
IAAI-CFI(v)/FIT/NAFI-CFEI



  • Certified Fire Investigator through the IAAI
  • Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement through the IAAI
  • Certified Fire Technician through the IAAI
  • Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator through NAFI
  • Certified Remote Pilot through FAA
  • Troup County Fire Department - Fire Marshal Investigator
  • National Board of Fire Services Qualifications
    • ​Fire Officer I, II, III, & IV
    • Fire Investigator
    • Fire Inspector I
    • Fire Instructor I & II
    • Hazardous Materials Technician
    • GA Regional Test Proctor/Monitor
  • GA Firefighter's Standards and Training Council​
    • First Class Firefighter
    • Certified Firefighter
    • Fire Investigator
    • Fire Inspector
  • Basic Law Enforcement through the GA Peace Officers Standards & Training
  • Arson Investigator through the GA Peace Officers Standards & Training
  • Deputy State Fire Marshal through GA State Fire Marshal Safety Fire Commissioner
  • Recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with Valor


Lisa A. Hess



Certified Senior Fire & Explosion Investigator
IAAI-CFI



  • Certified Fire Investigator through IAAI
  • Hazardous Materials Technician
  • Over 20+ years of fire service experience
  • Determined origin and cause of over 450 fires, 90 of which were classified as arson
  • Qualified as an expert witness in courtroom proceedings in 4 arson cases
  • Licensed Private Investigator in VA and MD
  • Obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigations from East Kentucky University as well as a minor in Fire and Safety Engineering Tech


Justin Biller



Certified Fire Protection Engineer
P.E./FSFPE/CFPS/IAAI-FIT



  • Over 20 years experience in areas of fire protection engineering, fire science, code consulting, and forensic analysis.
  • Licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states (VA, NC, SC, GA, & NY)
  • Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering - California Polytechnic State University
  • Model Law Engineer through National Council of Engineering Examination Services
  • Certified Life Safety Specialist - Health Care (CLASS-HC) through NFPA
  • Master Code Professional through International Code Council
  • Certified Building Official through VA Department of Housing & Community Development
  • Building Plans Examiner through Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development
  • Mechanical Plans Examiner through Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development
  • Combination Inspector (Building, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) through Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development
  • Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner through International Code Council
  • Fire Investigation Technician through International Association of Fire Investigators
  • Certified Fire Protection Specialist through National Fire Protection Association
  • Certified Fire Official through Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development & International Code Council
  • Fire Protection Plans Examiner through Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development & International Code Council
  • Fire Protection Inspector through Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development & International Code Council
  • NFPA 1031 Fire Inspection I & II
  • Fire Prevention Inspector through Virginia Department of Fire Programs, Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development & International Code Council

Contact us

Email: A1firesleuth@cs.com
888-303-1723
P.O BOX 2243 Chester, Va 23831