Meet the Experts
Brad Sampson
CFEI, CVFI, BEng
Brad Sampson is the owner of CFI and has 13 years of experience in the industry. He graduated with a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with a minor in Business from the University of Victoria. He has completed a number of courses and certifications, including; NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator certification, NAFI Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certification, Professional Interviewing Certificate presented by the CPS and CFD, and Ground School Certification through SAIT. Brad has developed an excellent working relationship with the fire department, police department, and other private investigators over his career, which is essential for a smooth, accurate investigation.
Brad has investigated over 700 fires and 20 explosions, including structures, vehicles, heavy equipment, and industrial fires. Brad has investigated small and large losses exceeding 100 million.
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Scott Sampson
The founder of CFI, Scott Sampson, has over 30 years of qualifications and experience. He retired from the Calgary Police Service in 2011 with the rank of Detective after 23 years of service. The final 7 years of his career were spent in the Joint Forces Arson Unit. He received his diploma in Engineering Science Technology (EST) from SAIT and has an expansive list of certifications and training. Scott Sampson has the expertise that is essential in all investigations, along with an excellent working relationship with the Crown Prosecutors' office, RCMP, Rocky View Fire Department, ATCO, private fire investigators, and the Calgary Police Service.
He has investigated over 1,700 fires and over 40 explosion investigations.
Scott Sampson is a licensed realtor allowing him access to real estate board websites to obtain pre-fire pictures of most structures, aiding in thorough documentation.
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Brandon MacDiarmid
CFEI, Journeyman Electrician
Brandon is a certified fire and explosion investigator and has 13 years of experience. Brandon started as a Journeyman Electrician. He completed his technical training at SAIT in 2014 which provides him with advanced working knowledge of electrical systems, building codes, and building operations.
Brandon has completed his NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion investigation Certification. Since joining Calgary Fire Investigations, Brandon has been a part of investigating residential and commercial fires, including structures and heavy equipment.
Aaron Nice
CFEI, SCO-Fire B2 C2
Aaron has been involved in the fire service industry since 2006, starting as a volunteer and moving to full-time firefighting in 2009. Aaron transitioned into part-time fire investigations starting in 2019 and moved into full-time investigations in 2020. Aaron has certification as a Fire Safety Codes Officer levels B2, C2 and E, along with an IAAI Fire Investigation Technician designation.
Prior to entering the fire service, Aaron worked in the automotive industry. Aaron completed technical training at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary and earned a Red Seal Journeyman certificate as an Automotive Service Technician in 2010.
Lance Sampson
CFEI, CVFI, EST
Lance Sampson has been a part of the fire field since 2009, working for the Rocky View Fire Services in the surrounding communities of Calgary. He took interest in Arson Investigation in 2012 when presented with the opportunity to work for Calgary fire Investigations. In 2016 Lance joined the Calgary Fire department, Lance has an excellent working relationship with all parties involved at Calgary Fire Investigating.
Lance is an Electrician by trade and finished his technical training at SAIT Polytechnic in 2013. Lance has a vast working knowledge of electrical codes, standards and building construction, helping with Cause and Origin Investigation.
He has completed the following certifications; NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator certification, and NAFI Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certification.
P.Tech., P.L.Eng, CAPM
Matthew Theriault
Matthew Theriault is a hard-working professional with vision, proven leadership, managerial and technical skills with over ten (10) years of experience in mechanical engineering. He believes in applying his abilities and continuing to grow with others around him, as well as the value in family, a healthy mental and physical life.
Matthew's skills include HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection design, commercial kitchen design, writing detailed specifications, construction management, shop drawings review, and site inspections.
Kona The Arson Dog
Kona is an arson dog (accelerant detection canine) that has been trained to respond to trace amounts of flammable materials which could have been used to start a fire. Materials like gas, naphtha, butane, and kerosene, among many others, are known as “accelerants,” as accelerants can be used to accelerate a fire.
Kona is a 2-year-old purebred German Shepherd. Kona started working at five months, and he has quickly advanced through the training to become an arson dog. If you are interested in learning more about Kona please contact us to set up demonstrations.