Business owner and Certified Fire Investigator Bruce E. VanDorpe began his career as a volunteer firefighter in 1981. He has worked continuously in the fire service and fire investigation fields ever since. Bruce started Fire Investigation Services, a fire and explosion investigation company, primarily serving the insurance industry, in 2007.

Bruce holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science Technology from Sinclair Community College. He has taken additional courses toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology through the University of Cincinnati.
Bruce worked at the Dayton Fire Department for fourteen years, spending four years as a fire safety inspector and ten years as a fire investigator. He was the Regional Fire Investigation Unit Supervisor from 1998 through 2001. As a part of his duties with the Regional Fire Investigation Unit, Bruce obtained certification as a Peace Officer in the State of Ohio and served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for twelve years.

In April 2000, Bruce became a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and in September 2011, he became a Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), both through the National Association of Fire Investigators.

In July 2000, he became a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) and in February 2013, he became an Evidence Collection Technician (ECT), both through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He serves the IAAI as a Facilitator and a Proctor for the Evidence Collection Technician program.

In addition, Bruce was a Certified Fire Safety Inspector through the State of Ohio and he has attained certifications as a firefighter in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He has attended numerous schools and seminars all over the country directly related to all aspects of fire and explosion investigations. He has attended additional training classes relating to fire safety inspections, code enforcement, firefighting, and law enforcement.

Bruce maintains memberships in several professional organizations including The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Bruce is a Past President of the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He continues to serve the Ohio Chapter as a Committee Chair.

He was a part-time faculty member in the Fire Science Program at Sinclair Community College and he taught the Fire Investigation Course from 1995 to 2013. He has taught at the Dayton Fire Department Training Center, he was a co-instructor for the Fire Investigation Course at the Bowling Green State University Fire School, and he has instructed at local seminars, including the Miami Valley Fire Investigator’s Association and the Midwestern Ohio Arson Seminar. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Midwestern Ohio Arson Seminar.

Bruce has investigated the origin and cause of more than 2900 fire and explosion incidents involving residential and commercial properties and motor vehicles of all types.

He has testified as an expert witness on numerous occasions in both Municipal and Common Pleas Courts. His testimonial experience includes depositions, Grand Jury appearances, motions, preliminary hearings, and trials, in both criminal and civil matters.

Bruce’s education, training, and experience far exceed the minimum standards as set forth by the National Fire Protection Association in NFPA 1033, Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators. He is Pro Board Certified as a Fire Investigator.

Fire Investigation Services is licensed as a Private Investigation Company in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.