Matthew Cornell, IAAI-CFI (TX & LA License)
Matthew has 39 years of experience in building construction and the fire service. 29 of those years are in fire origin and cause determination. His background includes 8 years of investigating fires in civil matters for the insurance industry. His fire investigations have included fatalities and large commercial structures. He has worked on scenes with multi-agency response and with the ATF Regional Response Team. As a Senior Investigator with Fort Bend County, he reviewed origin and cause reports submitted by other investigators, conducted follow-up investigations, prepared cases for submittal to the District Attorney’s Office, and provided consulting for the Assistant District Attorneys during trial. In addition to his investigation duties, he was part of the Fort Bend County Regional Structural Collapse Team and was assigned to the Engineering Division.
Matthew’s construction background includes the installation of plumbing systems for new construction, plumbing repair, and appliance repair. He has built his own home and volunteered as a foreman for Habitat for Humanity building several homes for them. While he was working for the City of Richmond, he was responsible for conducting the building; plumbing; electrical; and mechanical inspections for all new construction in the city.
Matthew also has a passion for teaching. He has taught Building Construction, Forcible Entry, Fire Investigation, and Fire Inspections for the Fire Recruit Program at Wharton County Junior College. He has also taught the Basic Fire Investigator and the Basic Fire Inspector Programs for Wharton County Junior College. He has traveled the state teaching Building Construction and Forcible Entry to Fire Departments. He has taught at the Gus George Police Academy Teaching Fire Service Orientation for the Telecommunicator. He has also done classes on Forcible Entry and Building Size Up for the Fort Bend County SWAT Team. He has been a guest speaker at the Gulf Coast Fire Prevention Conference, speaking on Electrical Systems and Components. He has been a guest speaker for the Fort Bend Independent School District Building Maintenance Conference speaking on fire prevention through code compliance and preventive maintenance. He has been a guest speaker at the Harris County Department of Education Emergency Operations Meeting. He has also participated on a committee for the Texas Education Agency to adopt new school safety rules. Most recently Mr. Cornell has been a guest speaker at the Greater Houston Area Fire Marshal’s Conference.
Certifications held:
Texas Master Fire Investigator
Texas Advanced Inspector
Texas Advanced Fire Fighter
Texas Basic Wildland Fire Fighter
Texas Hazmat Technician
Texas Instructor II
National Board on Fire Service (Fire Investigator)
International Association of Arson Investigators (Certified Fire Investigator)
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement:
Master Peace Officer
Basic Jailer & Instructor
Southern Building Code Congress International:
Mechanical Inspector
Plumbing Inspector
Residential Electric Inspector
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (Journeyman Plumber)
Texas DPS (Private Investigator)
Affiliations:
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Texas Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators
Texas Fire Marshal’s Association
State Fireman’s and Fire Marshal’s Association, Sargent at Arms (SFFMA)
Texas Sherriff’s Association
Greater Houston Fire Marshal’s Council
Brazoria / Fort Bend Instructors Association
Texas Education Agency “Advisory Committee for School Safety Rule Adoption”