Steve Chapman, IAAI-CFI(V), CFEI, CVFI (TX & LA License)
President | Fire Origin & Cause Investigator | Fire Code Consultant - Porter/Houston Area
Steve Chapman is the President and Owner of S.C. Fire Consulting, Inc. and brings more than three decades of experience in fire and arson investigation, fire prevention, and code compliance to the firm. After a 22-year career working full-time in the public fire service, including 18 years of Fire Marshal’s Office experience, Steve transitioned into private-sector fire investigation and code consulting. He has owned and operated S.C. Fire Consulting since 2009, providing investigative and consulting services throughout Texas and Louisiana.
Steve’s public-service career includes extensive experience in Fire Marshal and Assistant Fire Marshal roles, encompassing fire origin and cause investigation, fire code inspections, plan review, code compliance, and fire prevention. He is also a retired Texas Peace Officer with 15 years of public-service experience assigned to arson investigation and has 32 years of continuous service in the fire service.
Steve holds advanced professional credentials as an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator with Motor Vehicle Fire Endorsement [IAAI-CFI(V)], NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and NAFI Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI). He is also an IAAI Evidence Collection Technician (ECT), Pro Board Certified Fire Investigator, and a licensed Private Investigator in both Texas and Louisiana.
Steve has significant expertise in fire prevention and code consulting and has served as a preferred fire code consultant for the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office. His specialized education and training span fire and explosion investigation, NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033, fire code inspection and plan review, building construction, fire protection systems, electrical fires, fire dynamics and modeling, evidence collection, motor vehicle and lithium-ion battery fires, fatal fire investigations, and courtroom testimony.
Steve is also a Certified K9 Accelerant Detection Team handler through the Canine Accelerant Detection Association (CADA) and FireK9.org, providing specialized capabilities in the investigation of suspected incendiary fires. He has also served as an instructor in numerous fire/arson investigation and fire code inspection and prevention courses throughout his career.
Degrees Held:
A.A.S. Fire Science - Columbia Southern University
Certifications Held:
IAAI - Certified Fire Investigator with Motor Vehicle Fire Endorsement [CFI(V)]
IAAI - Evidence Collection Technician (ECT)
NAFI - Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
NAFI - Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
Pro Board - Certified Fire Investigator
TCFP - Master Fire Investigator
TCFP - Master Fire Inspector
TCFP - Certified Fire Marshal
TCFP - Master Firefighter
TCFP - Driver/Operator
TCFP - Fire Officer II
TCFP - Level II Fire Instructor
TCFP - International Plans Examiner
TCFP - Level II Fire Inspector
TCFP - Hazardous Materials Operations
TCOLE - Peace Officer (Retired)
Texas Private Investigator License
Louisiana Private Investigator License
CADA / FireK9.org - Certified K9 Accelerant Detection Team
National Fire Academy Training:
Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigations
Fire/Arson Investigation
Fire Dynamics/Modeling
Fire Inspection Principles
Forensic Evidence Collection for Arson
Interview/Courtroom Testimony
Plan Review for Inspectors
Principles of Fire Protection Systems
Strategic Analysis of Community Risk Reduction