Charting the Waters of Marine Fire Investigation with Mike Wisekal

Send us a text

From the heat of frontline firefighting to the meticulous scrutiny of fire investigation, Mike Wisekal of Jensen Hughes takes us on an enthralling journey through his career metamorphosis.
Mike Wisekal | LinkedIn

Mike Wisekal: Technical Director + Senior Investigator | Jensen Hughes

Navigating the specialized realm of marine investigation, this episode unfurls the layers of complexity that come with shipboard fire incidents. Here, the International Safety Management (ISM) Code isn't just a set of guidelines; it's the blueprint for survival at sea and fire prevention. 
We peel back the curtain to reveal how a ship's Safety Management System (SMS) is the linchpin in emergency preparedness, and why crew training and safety equipment can't be anything less than shipshape. 

We recount our first professional encounter when Mike and I met on a large loss in Northern Ireland, and the support and camaraderie he gave me at that early point in my private sector career in a very different FI world compared to public sector. 
Mikes story isn't just about shifting from public service to private sector expertise; it's a homage to the mentors who ignited his passion and a look into the rigorous world of fire investigation—proving that the quest for knowledge is as relentless as the fires he once fought.

We probe the dangers lurking in incorrectly labeled containers and the fiery consequences that can follow. 

We discuss the UK AFI, CFI and FIT support scheme, proposed and initiated by Mike  lighting the way for professional development in the fire service industry. 

As we wrap up, we consider the pivotal role that legal expertise plays when fire forensics experts step into the courtroom—a testimony to the fact that the truth of the evidence must be as compellingly presented as it is carefully uncovered, in an unbiased and professional manner recognizing the duty of fire investigators to the Courts and not to clients. 

Support the show