Mr. Paul Richard holds a B.S. degree in Fire Administration and is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators, a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators, and a Certified Fire Investigator through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. He is a licensed private investigator in Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas.  During his fire service career of 40 years, Mr. Richard has seen a wide range of fire, arson, and explosion incidents.  As a fire investigator, he has conducted origin and cause investigations on explosions, fatal structure fires, residential fires, commercial building fires, and vehicle fires.

His professional experience includes work as a firefighter-paramedic and fire marshal.  Mr. Richard is highly knowledgeable about fire suppression and alarm systems, fire and building codes, and fire investigations. He has been interviewed by major St. Louis television stations and newspapers regarding fires and investigations.  Mr. Richard serves on the International Association of Arson Investigators Photography Award Committee. He has earned the Missouri IAAI Chapter President’s Award, the Metropolitan Fire Marshal’s Association Educator of the Year and Bill Fox Awards. He has experience as a Missouri licensed Fireworks Display Operator and extensive knowledge of pyrotechnics and explosives use, storage, and post-blast investigation.

• Fire Administration, B.S.: Columbia Southern University (2016)

• International Association of Arson Investigators: Certified Fire Investigator (2014-Present)

• International Association of Arson Investigators: Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (2013-2022)

• International Association of Arson Investigators: Certified Evidence Collection Technician (2014-2020)

• National Association of Fire Investigators: Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (1997-Present)

• Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Certified Fire Investigator (1997-Present)

• Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Certified Fire Inspector (2006-Present)

• Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Certified Fire Instructor II (1995)

• Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Certified Fire Officer I (1997)

• Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Certified Fire Officer II (2006)

• Missouri Division of Fire Safety: Certified Firefighter II (1992)

• State of Missouri: Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic (1979-2023)

• International Code Council: Certified Fire Plans Examiner (2017-Present)

• St Louis County Fire Academy: Certified Firefighter I, II, and III (1992)

• US Department of Labor: Certified Journeyman Firefighter (1992)

• National Fire Protection Association: Certified Fire Protection Specialist (2016-2022)

• Fireworks Display Operator License (2011-2015)

• US Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives: Explosives Possessor Clearance (2011-2015)

• Certified Hazardous Materials Operations (1990)

• Certified Hazardous Materials Incident Manager (2009)

• Private Detective/Investigator License: Missouri (2014-Present), Kansas (2023-Present) and Illinois (2023-Present)

Memberships:

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (2006-Present)

• Metropolitan Fire Marshals Association (MFMA) (2006-Present)

• Fire Marshals Association of Missouri (FMAM) (2006-Present)

• Firefighters Association of Missouri (FFAM) (1980-Present)

• International Code Council (ICC) (2006-Present)

• Professional Fire and Fraud Investigators Association (PFFIA) (1997-Present)

• National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)(1996-Present)

• International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) (2000-Present)

• Missouri Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators (MO-IAAI) (2006-Present)

• Missouri Association of Building Officials and Inspectors (MABOI) (2006-Present)

• International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI) (2012-Present)