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James L. Pharr,
Leading expert in Fire and Explosion Investigations and Fire Safety

Home: 1480 Armstrong Ford Road, Belmont, NC 28012
704-825-1764
Jlpharr@aol.com

EDUCATION:
BS in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, School of Applied Science, University Of Cincinnati, 1999
Course work included Fire Dynamics and Advanced Fire Prevention

AAS Fire Science Technology, Rowan Technical Institute, Salisbury, NC, 1976

Executive Fire Officer's Program, National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg Maryland, 2000
Coursework focused on research based problem resolution of issues.

Continuing Education includes:
NC Fire Marshal's Institute - Fire prevention and investigation
NC Fire Prevention School - Fire prevention
National Fire Academy - Fire Dynamics / Fire Modeling
NC Justice Academy - Fire / Arson Investigation
National Fire Academy - Fire / Arson Investigation
College of William and Mary - Fire Investigation
Rutgers University - Fire Investigation
NC Office of State Fire Marshal - Fire Inspector's certification program
Emergency Management Institute - Terrorism preparedness
Emergency Management Institute - Integrated Emergency Management

CERTIFICATIONS:
Emergency Management:
Emergency Management Coordinator IV - NC Emergency Management Association

Hazardous Waste Site Supervisor - Piedmont Environmental
Training includes NC Fire Commission prescribed classes, NCOSH HazWop class, National Fire Academy - Chemistry of Hazardous Materials, Development of Piedmont Environmental's HazWop training program, and various seminars specializing in hazardous materials emergency response.

Investigation:
Certified Fire / Arson Investigator - NC Fire and Rescue Commission
Certified Fire Investigator - International Association of Arson Investigators (#24-001)
Previously recognized as an expert witness in Fire Origin and Cause Determination (Cabarrus, Gaston and Mecklenburg County Superior Courts).
Conducted more than 2,500 fire origin, cause and circumstance investigations.

NC Private Investigator, NC Private Protective Services Board, (License 1284)

Inspections:
Fire Inspector III - NC Building Code Council (#5693)
This certification level authorizes inspection of structures, premises and conditions without restriction within North Carolina.

Instructor:
Fire Service Instructor - Level 4 - NC Fire and Rescue Commission
Fire / Arson Investigation
Building Construction
Live Fire Training Specialist

Adjunct Instructor - National Fire Academy - Emmitsburg, MD
Fire Prevention discipline

Part-time staff instructor - Gaston College, Fire Science Technology program

Certified instructor since 1974. Presented more than 6,000 hours of classroom and hands-on training.

Fire Officer II - NC Fire and Rescue Commission.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

August 2006 - Present :Visiting Assistant Professor in the College of Justice and Safety, Loss Prevention and Safety. Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY.
Teaching fire and safety engineering courses in the undergraduate program.

1996 to June 2006: Emergency Management Director and Fire Marshal
Gaston County, NC, Supervise preparation of plans and procedures for response to man-made and natural disasters, including mitigation and response to hazardous materials incidents. Coordinate planning, response, recovery and mitigation efforts with other county, state and federal agencies. Supervise fire origin and cause determination, fire prevention inspection program, and emergency response organizations. Supervise five full-time and one part-time employees, and coordinated the activities of more than 600 volunteer fire fighters.

September 1992 until February1996: Assistant Emergency Management Director / Fire Marshal,
Gaston County, NC
Responsible for supervising fire origin and cause determination, fire prevention inspection program, and emergency response coordination. Assist EM Director in preparing plans for response to man-made and natural disasters

July 1990 until September 1992: Director, Field Operations,
Piedmont Environmental, Inc., Kannapolis, NC.

Duties - July 90 until October 91 - Part-time employee, developed training programs, site evaluations and reporting of projects.

October 91 until September 92, develop and deliver training programs related to fire prevention and safety in industrial settings, project management for environmental remediation operations, and client consultation.

June 87 to June 1990: Fire Chief,
Pinecroft Sedgefield Fire Department - Guilford County, NC.
Administration of department, emergency response planning and direction. Supervised 9
career and 80 volunteer employees with call volume of approximately 800 alarms per year.

April 86 to June 87: Fire Investigator,
Charlotte, NC Fire Department.
Investigated origin, cause and circumstances of fires and explosions. Worked with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute persons involved in criminal activity.

January 77 until April 86: Fire Marshal / Assistant EM Director,
Cabarrus County, NC
Responsible for fire origin and cause determination, fire prevention inspection program, and emergency response coordination. Assisted in development and implementation of plans to respond to man-made and natural disasters.

Volunteer Fire Service:
January - Sept. 1992 Kannapolis Fire Department - Firefighter
May 1986 to June 1987 Hickory Grove Fire Department - Captain, Training Officer
Oct. 1971 to May 1986 Jackson Park Fire Dept - Firefighter, Captain


PROFESSIONAL ASSOCATIONS
International Association of Arson Investigators - member more than 20 years
Includes membership in North Carolina Chapter
Served as director 1986-1990
International Association of Fire Chiefs
North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs
North Carolina State Fire Marshal's Association
North Carolina Association of County Fire Marshals
North Carolina State Firemen's Association
North Carolina Society of Fire Service Instructors


For More Information Please Call or Write:
Tel. 864-574-6415
FAX. 864-576-4992
EMAIL: jlpharr@aol.com
3551 Moore-Duncan Hwy.
Moore, SC 29369