Mr. Grooms began his career in the fire service as a Volunteer Firefighter with Ketchum, Idaho Fire Department, and soon added an Emergency Medical Technician certification. Mr. Grooms later relocated to Caldwell, Idaho and was a volunteer there for several years before moving to Alaska. In Alaska, he was selected as a volunteer Fire Captain in Skagway, obtaining Firefighter l and EMT Level lll certifications, and served for seven years. Mr. Grooms began doing commercial plans review and bi-annual commercial building inspections for the State of Alaska, which gave him insight into how larger buildings were constructed and maintained, with fire prevention and failure analysis as the primary goals. Mr. Grooms has participated in several Firefighter 1 classes as an assistant and then primary instructor. Other fire related classes taught include sprinklers, evidence spoliation, building construction, ventilation and scene documentation. Mr. Grooms worked as a Deputy Fire Marshal for the State of Alaska, based in Fairbanks for five years, then as the City of Ketchikan, Alaska Fire Marshal for an additional five years and finally, as the Building Official for Middleton, Idaho for five years.

Areas of Expertise:

• Fire Origin and Cause
• Vehicle Origin and Cause
• Evidence identification, collection, and processing
• Interview and Interrogation

Bachelor of Arts, Recreation Management, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 1976
Alaska Law Enforcement Academy, Class 2010A

Certified Fire Investigator, International Association of Arson Investigators, #36-042805
National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications – Pro Board, #382216
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, National Association of Fire Investigators, #24384-14808
National Incident Management System 100, 200 and 700, Federal Emergency Management System
Hazardous Material Technician, Skagway Fire Department, #19140509
Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy, Department of Public Safety, Session 1001
Certified Police Officer, Alaska Police Standards Council, #5820
Fire Extinguisher Permit Class ll, State of Alaska, #18-0008-2