Robert Rappaport, CFI
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Office: 310-806-8057
Robert Rappaport has over 30 years of experience in the fire service, has investigated over 2,800 fires in over 25 years as a fire investigator, and specializes in Fire, Explosions, and Fire & Life Safety.
SERVICES INCLUDE:
FIRE EXPERT WITNESS SERVICES
FIRE, ARSON, AND EXPLOSION INVESTIGATIONS
LITIGATION/CASE REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
TRIAL AND DEPOSITION PREPARATION
FIRE INVESTIGATION TRAINING
In addition to serving extensively in expert witness functions for attorney clients, Rappaport is a California State Fire Marshal Instructor instructing students in beginning and advanced fire investigation techniques, complex fire investigations, and many other tasks. Rappaport has an outstanding ability for speaking to audiences describing even the most complex of cases in a way that can be easily understood. This proves instrumental when testifying in front of a jury.
At Rappaport Consulting, our goal is to use our experience and extensive industry knowledge to perform thorough fire investigations objectively and present our findings in a clear and concise manner. We possess the Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) accreditation from the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), and the Pro Board. We can provide services anywhere, depending on the needs of the client.
Our experience puts us in the unique position of having worked both with the public and private sectors as well as ongoing involvement in the industry as a Chief Investigator. Rappaport is very proficient in identifying subrogation potential and liability issues in a wide range of cases. We have full knowledge of fire investigations as well as an in-depth understanding of what it takes to be an effective communicator in a legal setting.
Call: 310-806-8057
Visit: https://rappaportconsulting.com
- Explosions
- Fire
- Fire & Life Safety
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Certified Fire Investigator Level 1, California State Fire Marshal
Certified Fire Investigator Level 2, California State Fire Marshal
Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)
Master Certified Fire Investigator (MCFI), California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)
Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Instructor (CI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Motor Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Certified Instructor (CFII), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Executive Fire Officer (EFO), National Fire Academy
B.S. Business Administration, University of Southern California (USC)
Executive Chief Fire Officer, California State Fire Marshal
Chief Officer, California State Fire Marshal
Company Officer, California State Fire Marshal
Chief Fire Officer (CFO), Center for Public Safety Excellence
California Private Investigator, License # 26789
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: California Conference of Arson Investigators
International Association of Arson Investigators
National Association of Fire Investigators
International Association of Firefighters
International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: California State Fire Marshal Fire Investigation 1A – 40 hour class (25 classes)
Basic Fire Investigation
California State Fire Marshal Fire Investigation 1B – 40 hour class (12 classes)
Evidence and Documentation
California State Fire Marshal Fire Investigation 1C – 40 hour class (1 class)
Preparation for Legal Proceedings
California State Fire Marshal Fire Investigation 2A - 40 hour class (10 classes)
Criminal and Legal Procedures
California State Fire Marshal Fire Investigation 2B - 40 hour class (11 classes)
Field Case Studies
California State Fire Marshal Fire Certified Firefighter 1 Academy - 8 hour class (30 classes)
Fire Prevention and Investigation
Fire Investigation Report Writing & NFPA 921/1033 Update - 16 hour class (13 classes)
Fire Investigation for Company Officers - 4 hour class (4 classes)
California Conference of Arson Investigators Training Conference - 4 hour class
Accidental Fire Causes
Fire Investigation Report Writing
Vehicle Fire Investigations
International Association of Arson Investigators Annual Training Conference - 4 hour class
Bloodhound Capabilities
- Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Over 100 times.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Fire and/or arson fire related cases
Explosions
Fire Incident management
Fire code violations
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: Approximately 40%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: Approximately 60%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: Over 15 times
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: February 2024
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 32 times.
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 32 times.
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 25 years.
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Site inspections (fire origin and cause investigation)
Case review and evaluation
Trial preparation
Consulting
Evidence collection
Testing and forensic analysis
Reports - Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: Please contact for pricing.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: Please contact for pricing.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: Please contact for pricing.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: Please contact for pricing.
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Consultant shall be entitled to reimbursement from Client for all actual out-of-pocket expenses including but not limited to lodging, meals, car rental, air travel, airport parking, tolls, postage, overnight mail, and laboratory fees. Air travel may be coach class for flights less than two hours; First class or business class for flights greater than two hours. If an overnight stay is required, a 12 hour minimum daily fee will be charged.
Testimony time includes deposition and/or court appearances. Declaration preparation is also included in the testimony rate. Travel time to/from these appearances will be billed at the stated consulting rate. A four (4) hour minimum fee will be charged for testimony, including stand-by time.
Non-refundable retainer of $4,500
Available Upon Request