International Expert on Fire Investigation, how fires start and the forensics of the situation" Interview with Richard Woods by Genevieve Jacobs
Genevieve Jacobs, Morning Show, ABC Radio
Canberra Australia.
When I first met Richard Woods at the 2006 IAAI Annual Training Conference in Denver Colorado, USA I was not only impressed with Richard's knowledge and understanding of wildland fires, but his ability to teach the subject to other fire investigators. I have been fortunate to have attended many other international conferences with Richard since then and his teaching style, personable manner and subject matter expertise is what makes him one of the world's leading authorities in the subject of wild land fires.
Richard's professionalism puts him in high demand and enables him to travel the world presenting and teaching other fire professionals. He willingly imparts his knowledge to the benefit of others. He is very active in Chairing the Wildland Fire Investigation Committee for the IAAI, the global leaders in fire investigation.
Dr Peter Mansi FIFireE MCSFS IAAI-CFI® IAAI-ECT IAAI-CI
Visiting Professor, Istitutio Di Scienzi Forensi, Milan, Italy Past President International Association of Arson Investigators London, United Kingdom.
Bushfire arson is an abhorrent crime that has claimed many life's, is responsible for countless injuries, sees significant property damage, disrupts community infrastructure and challenges their future resilience. Police and Fire agencies have been tested and challenged with this crime and have until recently operated almost independently without a National strategy, with little information sharing or a common platform to work within. Richard Woods however has changed all that where he has almost single handily been the National driver of change whereupon he worked with jurisdictional representatives, the Attorney Generals department, the Australasian Fire Authorities Council and the Bushfire Cooperative Centre to lead the formation of a National strategy, mentored a cadre of advanced investigators, wrote much needed training curriculum and led many National and overseas 'think tanks'. Not only did Richard drive the agenda, he also established its longevity where many jurisdictions are now seeing the benefit of not only having a sound and coordinated strategy towards bushfire arson prevention but are also successfully prosecuting and bringing offenders to front the judicial system.
Steve Rothwell AFSM
(former) Chief Fire Officer/Director Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service Darwin, Australia.
Having worked with Richard for well over 20 years I can attest to his superior knowledge, skills and experience in wildfire arson investigation. Richard has been at the forefront of the development of wildfire arson investigation capability for many years and is appropriately often referred to as "Australia's leading wildfire arson investigator".
Having worked and studied extensively overseas and domestically, Richard has established a comprehensive network of wildfire arson investigation and related industry professionals whom call upon him often and for whom he calls upon. In more recent years, Richard's work in this area has been highly lauded by the Federal Government. There is no doubt that without Richard's ongoing commitment and dedication to the advancement of this essential public safety capability Australia would not be as safe as it is today when it comes to the prevention, detection and prosecution of wildfire arsonists.
Dr Mark Crosweller AFSM FAIM
Founder and Director, Ethical Intelligence (former) Director General, Emergency Management Australia Department of Home Affairs. Canberra, Australia.