We’re one of Australasia’s leading independent fire scene investigators
About Phil M Glover
During Phil’s 40-year fire service career in New Zealand and Australia, he developed a passion for fire investigations as well as factual and circumstance investigations. He has demonstrated the ability to conduct accurate scene examinations, evidence gathering, and research, conveying his conclusions through comprehensive reports. Having established a reputation as a credible fire investigator in New Zealand, Phil was appointed to a senior operational role in the Country Fire Authority in Victoria, Australia, and held the roles of Officer in Charge of a major composite fire station, Regional Operations Officer and Gippsland Area Fire Investigation Co-ordinator for almost 5 years before reigning to set up his private forensic fire investigation company, which has now been in operation for almost 20 years.
Fire Investigations:
- 1999–2001 – Self-employed investigator (New Zealand), conducting investigations relating to structural, vehicle, farm machinery, and vegetation (crop) fire claims.
- Conducted investigations for most insurance companies, as well as a number of barristers and solicitors within the North Island of New Zealand.
- Obtained evidence and prepared reports to assist claims managers with fire-related insurance claims.
- Prepared documents for, and given evidence in, Civil, Criminal, and Coroners Courts as an expert witness on numerous occasions to date.
- January 2006 – Current – Conducted forensic fire scene investigations involving structures, motor vehicles, crops, and vegetation throughout Victoria, NSW, and ACT on behalf of a number of insurers.
- Reviewed reports and other evidence relating to fire cause and origin matters, providing written opinions to insurers or their legal representatives regarding the accuracy of that evidence.
Fraud, Circumstance & Factual Investigations
From July 1999 to November 2001, Phil operated as a private investigator in New Zealand, specialising in forensic fire scene investigations on behalf of the insurance industry.
During that period, he undertook a number of fraud, factual, and circumstance investigations, and was successful in establishing fraud or non-disclosure on several occasions. As a result of that success, he became increasingly involved in that area of investigation.
The majority of fraud or circumstance investigations he has conducted to date relate mostly to:
- Stolen motor vehicles
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Theft from dwellings or businesses
- Fraudulent business losses
- Matters involving farm animals and/or machinery
- Personal injury or illness claims
Motor vehicle fires, deliberately set to allow the insured to gain financial advantage, occupied a great deal of his time during that period. He was also involved in obtaining evidence relating to the circumstances leading to motor vehicle accidents, including reports on vehicle condition and contributing factors.
Phil’s inquisitive and analytical nature blends well with the investigative field, and since qualifying as an investigator with the New Zealand Fire Service in 1990, he has developed a deep passion and high level of ability for this type of work.
In April 2006, following his 40 year fire service career, Phil began operating as a self-employed forensic fire scene investigator and licensed private investigator throughout Victoria, NSW, and other parts of Australia.
In addition to his general and circumstance investigations, he has also conducted investigations on behalf of the Victorian WorkCover Authority in relation to personal injury and illness claims.
Professional Standards and Experience
Our clients have commented favourably on our attention to detail, which we strive to achieve at all times when conducting a scene examination, obtaining evidence, and compiling reports.
We maintain public liability and professional indemnity insurance cover and can provide a certificate of currency upon request. All fire investigation data is backed up to two external hard drives and securely filed.
Qualifications and Roles:
- Fire Investigator – NZ Fire Service since 1990
- Member of the joint NZ Police & NZ Fire Service Arson Investigation Team
- Insurance industry and Country Fire Authority (CFA), Victoria, Australia
- Fire & Accident Investigator – Self-employed (1999–2001) – New Zealand
- Fire Investigator – Country Fire Authority (Vic) (2001–2006)
- CFA Gippsland Area (Vic) Fire Investigation Coordinator
- Prepared reports and documents for District, County, High and Coroners Courts.
- Expert Witness in District, County, High and Coroners Courts on numerous occasions (NZ and Victoria).
- Endorsed as an advanced structural, motor vehicle, and wildfire investigator
- Completed all training courses applicable to NZ and Vic Fire Service investigators
- Completed the Victoria Police “Introduction to Law” course
- Completed Arson Investigation training conducted by NZ Police
- Trained at the Victoria Police Arson Forensic Centre
- Licensed Private Investigator – Licence No. 598-854-20S
- Member (by examination) of the New Zealand Fire Brigades Institute
- Certificate III in Investigative Services (Australia)
- Certificate IV and Associate Diploma – Operational Firefighting (AFAC)
- Career firefighter and officer – NZ Fire Service (35 years; highest substantive rank: Deputy Chief Fire Officer)
- 2001–2006 – Officer in Charge of the Morwell Fire Brigade and Regional Operations Officer – CFA Gippsland Area, Victoria
Rely on Phil and his team for your next fire investigation.
Book Review: Fire: The Flamin’ Facts
A Must-Read, Should-Own for Every Home and Business
Review by Caroline Mathews – Lake Petty Gulf, Tallahassee, Florida (February 18, 2014)
“Phil M. Glover bit off a lot when he conceived this charming and fact-filled endeavour. Fire: The Flamin’ Facts is much more than a safety manual, although it’s the best of its kind that I’ve read.
The book is not simply a conventional textbook – yet textbook it is – one that should be required reading in businesses, labs, fire stations, and manufacturing sites of every kind, everywhere. Reading it, one realises how little is known and understood about ‘fire’ the phenomenon. I learned an amazing amount about a subject I thought I was already well-versed in.
The charming part of the book is its biographical nature. Although rather long, reading isn’t tedious. What you learn here is the personal story of Phil M. Glover, recounted through pictures, real-life accounts, editorial content, and much more. From that standpoint alone, this is fascinating reading. A one-of-a-kind offering from a one-of-a-kind author.”
Available now in hardcover or PDF – free on request.