Mr. Sword’s professional career includes 32 years with the City of Providence Fire Department. During that time, his career progressed from Firefighter/EMT, fire investigator, arson squad member, to managing the activities and staff within the Arson Squad and Fire Investigation Unit.

Mr. Sword has been a certified ignitable liquid detection canine handler since 2019 certified by the Maine State Police. In addition, Mr. Sword has completed hundreds of hours in tested fire investigation specific course work through multiple agencies, including, the National Fire Academy and the New York State Fire Academy. Mr. Sword has completed in excess of 500 fire scene investigations since 2013 to include: commercial, residential, fatal residential fires, vehicle and marine.

As the person in-charge of the Arson Squad, his responsibilities included supervising investigative staff, coordinating investigations with federal and local officials, and conducting cause and origin investigations for residential, commercial, and motor vehicle fires. In addition, as a law enforcement officer he interviewed and interrogated arson suspects, executed arrest warrants, and testified in the prosecution of state arson cases.

Areas of expertise include:

• Origin and Cause
• Incendiary fires
• Evidence collection
• IGL Canine Team

Certified Fire Investigator, IAAI, Certificate #51-062810
Certified Evidence Collection Technician, IAAI, Certificate #632
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, NAFI, Certificate #20496-12791
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, NAFI, Certificate #20496-12791v
Certified Fire Investigator 1, State of New York
Certified Fire Investigator 2, State of New York
Certified Fire Investigator 1033, NFPA Pro board
Certified Fire Inspector 1031, NFPA Certificate #CFI-15-0197
Certified IGL Canine Handler, Maine Criminal Justice Academy 2019, Retired
Private Detective License, State of Rhode Island