One definition of remote working is:
A working style that allows professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment. It is based on the concept that work does not need to be done in a specific place to be executed successfully.
The Covid crisis has made this into a buzz-phrase but, within fire expertise, the principle is not new. Frequently we are denied access to a fire site before other agencies and often we have no access at all. There are many reasons. Effectively the case becomes a desktop study which is unavoidably dependent upon retrieval of information and documents from other sources. Such cases frequently go to court and AMA fire experts have a high success rate even where we were the only party denied access.
Fire site examination is an exercise of fact gathering and testing, then of expert evaluation and interpretation. One key fact in respect of all large fires is that there will always be information destroyed, missing, incorrect, hidden or corrupted. The analogy to a second-hand jigsaw puzzle without a picture lid is a good one.
However, an informed and valid opinion by a skilled fire expert to court or tribunal standards is not out of reach. When you assemble a partial jigsaw there comes a stage where the subject is clear enough to say what it is. The missing, damaged or poor-fit pieces only detract from perfection.
Remote working in this context involves the use of loss adjusters and marine surveyors attending onsite and information gathering on our behalf. Being our eyes and ears. The most important requirement is clear and concise communication between those surveyors and the expert. It is not enough to simply ask for many photographs to be taken and for them to have a chat to any witness that can be found.
At AMA we have a permanent presence in the UK, Singapore, China, Gibraltar, Australia and Hong Kong, and a wide, global network of known and contracted marine surveyors with forensic ability. To others we provide clear guidance and instruction. Ideally, the only aspect that we are denied is the physical sight, feel and smells of the site. The case then, effectively, becomes a very much enhanced desktop study missing fewer pieces, and of greater value to the party engaging the service. A service which, in addition to our fire expertise, includes substantial in-house marine and science skills, making AMA a one-stop shop for all fire related casualties.
While remote working can be extremely effective in the hands of an experienced fire expert, there is no substitute for personal, physical attendance where possible, and remote working should never be a first resort.
Remote working is a valuable tool with a well established history in the field of fire expertise. AMA fire experts have a track record of successful cases and satisfied clients. Crucially, for remote working and desktop study, we are always available to assist in fire cases, whether on land or at sea.
For further information or advice, please contact our fire investigators at:
David.Townsend@andrew-moore.com
Richard.Hagger@andrew-moore.com
Craig.Poulter@andrew-moore.com
Remote Working
Fire Investigation
David Townsend is the Principal Fire and Explosion Investigator with Andrew Moore and Associates (AMA). He has served the fire industry for 45 years the last 25 of which has been dedicated to fire investigation.
Richard Hagger is a UK/Europe based senior fire investigator of Andrew Moore & Associates group fire expertise and investigation services.
Richard attended over 2500 Fire Service incidents with West Yorkshire Fire Service and lead investigator on 1800+ cases.
Craig Poulter is an Australia based fire investigator of Andrew Moore & Associates group. Highly qualified in risk and emergency management, with over 20 years of experience in incident investigation, auditing in process safety, occupational health, safety & environment with a strong focus on HSEC risk and improving safety culture.