Fire Investigator

Hart Kerlin is Trident Engineering’s Director of Fire Investigation. Hart came to Trident with a diversified background in all facets of fire investigation. Hart began investigating fires as a Detective with the Baltimore, MD City Police Department as a member of its Arson and Bomb Unit. Hart has served on a number of volunteer fire companies as firefighter, fire line officer, administrative officer, and instructor.

Hart also gained an in depth understanding of the needs of Trident’s insurance clients during his years as Lead Fire Investigator for Nationwide Insurance Company, Special Investigative Unit. During his time with Nationwide Hart handled all types of coverage claims, but he specialized in fire and explosion claims.

Hart also served as a Special Agent for the INS Investigations Bureau, Inc. He worked for various insurance carriers, primarily performing fire origin and cause investigations. The areas he covered included Maryland, Delaware, Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and West Virginia, and the Carolinas. He was a member of their International Response Team for fire and explosion investigations. Hart’s resume includes the details of the extensive training that Hart has received and the training that he has provided as an instructor.

Areas of Practice:

• Fire origin and cause investigation
• Post explosion investigations
• Fire code investigations
• Insurance claims, accidental or fraud.

Professional Memberships:

• International Association of Arson Investigations in National, DE, MD, and PA Chapters.
• FMEIA/IAAI – MD Chapter
• NAFI, National Association of Fire Investigators
• Mariners of the Bay
• National Fire Protection Association; also member of the Fire Science and Technology Educators Section
• Harrisburg (PA) Claims Association
• National Capitol Pond Claims Association

Highlights:

• Certified Fire and Explosive Investigator (CFEI) at Eastern Kentucky University 2002
• Recertified as CFEI in 2007 and 2009
• Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) through National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), tested September 24, 2009
• Hazardous Materials Technician, Georgia Technical Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia in 1992
• Hazardous Materials Technician Recertification, Havre de Grace, Maryland in 1993