What The Fire

What does it actually mean to recover after a disaster?

In this episode Vithyaa speaks with disaster recovery expert Dr Kate Brady about what happens long after the immediate crisis has passed.

Drawing on more than a decade of experience in disaster recovery, Kate shares what she has learned from people affected by fires, earthquakes and other major events, from the man who simply wanted his fence rebuilt so he could work out where to begin, to the woman who could no longer trust the ground beneath her feet after the Canterbury earthquakes.

The conversation explores why recovery is deeply personal, how disasters can reshape a person's sense of safety and control, the way children respond to trauma, and why “getting back to normal” is not always possible, or even the right goal.

At the heart of the episode is a simple question:

When we say someone has recovered, what do we actually mean?

A thoughtful conversation about listening, compassion, control and the human experience that continues long after the fire is out.

Kate Brady LinkedIn

Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations

What The Fire LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Facebook

Stephen Elliott on vehicle fire investigation, EV training, and the future of the field.

Season two opens with host Vithyaa Thapapalin speaking with Stephen Elliott, Senior Forensic Investigator with EFI Global UK and a specialist in vehicle fire investigation. Stephen brings over two decades of operational forensic experience across the Royal Engineers, fire service, and investigation work, including more than 850 fire investigations and evidence in Coroner’s Court and Crown Court.

In this episode, they focus on the rapid evolution of electric and hybrid vehicle fires, why investigator training is lagging behind the technology, and how experience, engineering knowledge, and humility are essential in a field where no one can know everything.

Takeaways

• Specialist, not expert - Stephen argues that because technology changes so quickly, investigators should focus on a clearly defined specialty rather than claiming mastery over everything.

• Reverse engineering approach - For EV fire work, he recommends understanding how the vehicle is built and serviced before trying to determine how it failed.

• Training before touching - His core safety message is that investigators should get qualified and trained before working on high-voltage systems.

Relevant Links:

Stephen Elliot

⁠Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations⁠

⁠Vithyaa Thavapalan⁠

What The Fire Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn

Episode 13: Belonging Over Fitting In with Melinda “Min” McDonald

In this episode of What the Fire, I’m joined by Melinda “Min” McDonald CF, Senior Firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW, President of Women and Firefighting Australasia, Churchill Fellow, and PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney.

Min’s work sits at the intersection of operational firefighting, organisational culture, leadership, inclusion, and community risk reduction. In this conversation, we explore what it means to belong in the fire service, rather than simply fit in.

Min shares her journey into firefighting, her experience as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated profession, and the importance of creating workplaces where people can show up as themselves and do their best work.

We also discuss her Churchill Fellowship, where she investigated co-designed community risk reduction programs around the world, and her doctoral research into organisational culture in Australian fire services and the role of cultural humility in shaping safer, more inclusive leadership and workplace practice.

This is a conversation about women in firefighting, leadership, identity, culture, community, and the systems and structures that either help people thrive or hold them back.

In this episode, we discuss:

Women in firefighting and the importance of representation

The difference between belonging and fitting in

Organisational culture in emergency services

Cultural humility and inclusive leadership

Community-centred emergency management

Co-designed community risk reduction programs

What needs to change for women and diverse people to enter, stay, and thrive in the fire service

Melinda Min McDonald LinkedIn

Women and Firefighting Australasia

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠TikTok⁠

Vithyaa Thavapalan ⁠LinkedIn

In Episode 12 of What The Fire, we sit down with Vince Atkinson to unpack what fire suppression really means in high-risk environments, particularly the mining and heavy equipment space.

Vince shares a practical, outcomes-driven approach to fire risk: understanding where ignition is most likely to occur, prioritising preventative controls, and using suppression as a mitigating measure to reduce consequences when risk remains.

We also explore what’s changing globally in the fire suppression market , from procurement pressures and “box-ticking” approaches, to the industry-wide transition away from AFFF foams toward fluorine-free alternatives (F3). Vince explains why education and post-incident learning are essential for improving real-world performance, and why emerging technologies like battery electric equipment are forcing the sector to play catch-up with new fire risks.

Whether you work in mining, safety leadership, procurement, insurance, or investigation, this episode is a grounded look at what good fire protection should actually deliver.

• What fire suppression is and why suppression isn’t the same as extinguishment
• How fire risk assessments should drive system selection and design
• Common suppression agents used globally (and where they’re typically applied)
• The shift from AFFF to fluorine-free foams (F3) and why it matters
• How procurement decisions can compromise safety outcomes
• Why education, commissioning, and ongoing support are non-negotiable
• The value of post-incident analysis to improve future outcomes
• The growing challenge of electric and low-emission equipment fires
• “Education is key in fire suppression.”“Find something you love doing.”

fire suppression, fire safety, mining industry, fire risk assessment, fire protection systems, AFFF, F3 foams, procurement challenges, electric vehicles, industry trends

Vince Atkinson LinkedIn

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

This episode is a little different. It is a solo episode, with Vithyaa unpacking one of the most important topics in the field: the biggest mistakes made in fire investigations.

Drawing on her experience across complex losses, Vithyaa shares the common pitfalls that can weaken an investigation, from reaching conclusions too early to misunderstanding fire patterns, overlooking key evidence, and using language with more certainty than the facts support.

This episode is a practical discussion on why thoroughness, discipline, and staying current matter so much in origin and cause work. Whether you are a fire investigator, insurer, lawyer, or someone involved in fire claims, this episode offers valuable insight into how investigations can go wrong and what good practice really looks like.

In this episode, Vithyaa covers:

• Reaching conclusions too early
• Why scene appearance can be misleading
• The importance of strong documentation
• Testing hypotheses properly
• Misunderstanding fire patterns
• Knowing what you are actually looking at
• Electrical systems and fire-caused damage vs cause-related damage
• The role of witness information, timelines, and other external data
• Using careful language in reporting
• Recognising the limitations of an investigation
• Why staying current in the field matters

Sound bites:
“Don’t jump to conclusions too early.”
“Scene appearance can be misleading.”
“Know what you’re actually looking at.”

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn

Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

Jim Kanavy, a fire investigator, instructor and long-time leader in the fire investigation profession with more than 44 years in the fire service.

Jim shares how he started as a junior firefighter in Pennsylvania at just 14 years old, built a career across public and private fire investigation, worked with accelerant detection canines for more than two decades, and became deeply involved in training, standards and professional development through the IAAI, NAFI and NFPA.

We talk about how fire investigation has changed over the years, from older indicators and outdated beliefs to the increased use of science, the impact of NFPA 921 and 1033, and the importance of keeping up with new challenges like EV fires.

We also get into some of the bigger issues facing the profession:

• The gap between classroom learning and real-world experience
• Why younger investigators need more access, mentoring and opportunity
• The cost of training and conferences
• The need for stronger chapter engagement and better communication
• And why member voices matter when it comes to voting and shaping the future of organisations like the IAAI

This is a candid conversation about experience, service, leadership and the importance of passing knowledge on.

Jim Kanavy LinkedIn, Email [email protected]

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations Website

What The Fire LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

Title: From Engineering to Investigation: The Journey of Doron Levy and Fahrenheit Global

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of fire safety, few professionals bridge the gap between engineering and investigation like Doron Levy, the founder of Fahrenheit Global. In a recent episode of the podcast "What the Fire," Levy shares his inspiring journey from structural engineering to the intricacies of fire investigation, shedding light on the importance of both disciplines in ensuring safety and preventing future incidents.

The Path to Fire Engineering and Investigation:

Doron Levy's journey began in 2008 when he completed a structural engineering course at the University of Tel Aviv. Initially, he found himself unfulfilled in traditional structural engineering roles and sought a more engaging path. This led him to a fire engineering company where, on his first day, he attended a fire investigation at a vodka distillery that had burned down. Captivated by the complexities of fire investigation, Levy decided to delve deeper into the field.

He pursued a master’s degree in fire engineering and later in fire investigation, recognizing a gap in Australia’s private sector fire investigation landscape. Levy believed that understanding both sides of fire safety would not only enhance his career but also bolster his business, Fahrenheit Global, which he started amidst the global financial crisis.

Building Fahrenheit Global:

Founded in 2008, Fahrenheit Global initially operated from Levy's sunroom. Despite the challenging economic climate, the business grew rapidly, securing clients like New South Wales Health. Over the years, the company expanded its team and services, now employing ten engineers and offering both fire engineering and investigation services.

Levy highlighted two major projects that shaped the company's trajectory: the COVID hospital in Canberra, completed in just eight weeks, and the largest abattoir in Australia in Curamundra. Both projects received awards and demonstrated the critical role of fire safety in large-scale operations.

Understanding Fire Engineering and Investigation:

Levy articulates the distinct roles of fire engineers and fire investigators. Fire engineers design systems to prevent fires, such as sprinkler systems in commercial buildings. In contrast, fire investigators analyze the causes and effects of fires post-incident. This dual expertise allows Levy and his team to assess not just the fire's origin but also the effectiveness of the fire safety systems in place.

The Importance of Maintenance and Compliance:

According to Levy, Australia boasts a 99.9% success rate for sprinkler systems due to stringent maintenance protocols. However, human error, such as accidentally turning off systems during maintenance, poses significant risks. He emphasizes the necessity for designers and contractors to understand the implications of their work, as failures can lead to devastating consequences.

Levy believes that while it’s not essential for all fire engineers to become investigators, exposure to real-world fire scenarios can enhance their understanding and design capabilities. Educating engineers about fire dynamics and safety systems informs more effective designs and ultimately contributes to public safety.

Conclusion:

Doron Levy's journey from structural engineering to fire investigation showcases the vital intersection of these fields in promoting safety and preventing tragedies. His company, Fahrenheit Global, exemplifies how a commitment to excellence and continuous learning can lead to success in the fire safety domain. As industries evolve, it remains crucial for professionals to recognize the impact of their designs and decisions on public safety.

Doron Levy LinkedIn

Fahrenheit Global Website

What The Fire Blog and Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations

Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

In this episode, we sit down with Sujen, Head of Non-Motor Claims at Zurich Insurance Malaysia, whose career journey spans marine engineering, construction, forensic investigations, and now senior leadership in the insurance sector.

Sujen began his career at sea as a marine engineer before transitioning into construction engineering and later forensic engineering, where he investigated complex fire, explosion, and machinery failure cases across the region.

But the pivotal moment came when he made the move into insurance.

Now overseeing major claims, Sujen offers a rare perspective from both sides of the table , the technical investigation side and the claims decision-making side.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What drives a career transition from forensics into insurance

• The evolving role of investigations within the insurance sector

• The growing complexity of modern losses

• How forensic findings truly influence claims outcomes

• The importance of clear communication in high-stakes environments

• Preparing reports with litigation in mind

This episode is essential listening for investigators, engineers, claims professionals, and anyone working at the intersection of risk and responsibility.

Links:

Sujen Gannetion Linkedin

Forensic Document Examiner

What The Fire Instagram Facebook LinkedIn

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations

Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

In this episode of What the Fire, we sit down with legendary fire investigator and forensic scientist John Lentini to unpack how our understanding of fire behaviour has changed and why so many investigation reports still get it wrong.

John explains why “if you’re not a scientist, what are you doing in my profession?” isn’t just a sound bite, it’s a standard. We talk about:

• Why fire usually burns up and out, not down

• How low burning and “suspicious” patterns are often misread

• The overuse (and misuse) of liquid accelerant conclusions

• How junk science and bad assumptions have fuelled wrongful arson findings

• What it really means to think like a scientist in fire investigation, even without a science degree

Whether you’re writing reports, reviewing them, or trying to lift the standard of care in your organisation, this conversation will challenge the way you look at fire scenes and documentation.

If you find this episode valuable, please follow the show, rate the podcast, and leave a review with your feedback – it helps more people in the fire and forensic community discover What the Fire.

Keywords: fire investigation, fire behaviour, accelerants, fire reports, forensic science

John Lentini LinkedIn

What the Fire Instagram

What the Fire LinkedIn

Forensic Origin and Cause Investigations

Host: Vithyaa Thavapalan LinkedIn

In this episode of What The Fire, we sit down with Frank Mamasioulas, Managing Director of Riverwall Constructions, to explore what 40 years in business, and nearly 30 years on the tools and in leadership – have taught him about communication, responsibility and showing up for people on their worst days.

Frank shares how Riverwall has evolved from a handwritten, family-run operation into a corporate construction and insurance-repair business, and why personal interaction still matters more than ever in a technology-driven world. From picking up the phone instead of sending another email, to reading someone’s tone and emotion in real time, he explains how simple communication habits can resolve issues faster, build trust and strengthen collaboration across insurers, builders, consultants and clients.

We also talk about working on fire and fatality scenes, the role builders play alongside fire investigators and first responders, and how empathy, structure and clear reporting lines help teams navigate high-pressure, emotional environments. Frank reflects on learning from older generations, asking questions, sitting next to experienced people, and why collaboration is essential for both personal and professional growth.

If you work in construction, insurance, fire investigation, restoration or any field where people and pressure collide, this conversation is for you.

If you enjoy this episode, follow What The Fire on your favourite podcast app and leave a rating and review so more people in our industry can find the show.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-mamasioulas-96936b25/

https://riverwall.com.au/