Michael J. Slifka, PE

Michael J. Slifka, P.E.

Fire Investigation/Fire Engineering Design

EXECUTIVE PROFILE

A dedicated and skilled expert with a highly successful record

of accomplishments in litigation, fire investigation, fire testing and fire engineering design

Michael J. Slifka, P.E. was recently instrumental in winning two high-profile lawsuits concerning fire and life safety. Working for the defendants on a $4M generator building fire at the St. Louis Airport, the defendant was found not liable. Working for the Plaintiff on a carbon monoxide poisoning case with severe brain trauma, the Plaintiff was awarded a $3M judgment plus $25.5M in punitive damages, the largest civil judgment in Wyoming history.  Mr. Slifka has spent his professional career working to protect others by promoting fire safety. He has served as president/CEO of a leading fire protection engineering company. Mr. Slifka was Chief of Safety, Fire Protection and Occupational Health for the Veterans Administration, the world's largest health care organization responsible for, among other duties, the compliance of 172 hospitals and 225 outpatient clinics to JCAHO criteria. Mr. Slifka served on the National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards (NCSBCS); the National Bureau of Standards; the National Fire Protection Association; the US. General Services Administration; Rolf-Jensen & Associates; Republic Steel Company; and the Ohio Inspection Bureau. Mr. Slifka has published several articles on fire protection as well as several editions of the Fire Protection Handbook. He has appeared on the McNeil-Lehrer News program and as a NFPA spokesman on a PBS-developed program on high-rise safety. Mr. Slifka holds a Bachelor or Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a Registered Professional Fire Protection Engineer (FP 479) in California; a Fellow in Fire Forensics/Fire Investigations for the American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFE); and is a Diplomate in Fire Forensics/Fire Investigations, American Board of Forensic Examiners (ABFE).

Multi-faceted leader with expertise in research, building/fire code development, fire protection engineering, training, health care facility design, maintenance and operation and litigation support in complex and multicultural institutions.

Excels at testifying as an expert witness in Federal and State Courts (including U.S. Territory Courts) as an Expert in Fire Protection Engineering.

A proven principal resource  to thehealth care industry on JCAHO and Life Safety Code  issues, the  manufactured housing/building industry concerning litigation involving fire cause and  origin, alleged defective construction practices, and wrongful injury and death cases.

Solid understanding of business operations, fire safety, fire protection, electrical/safety issues, product safety testing, and litigation  with extensive experience in each.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

CORE EXECUTIVE Qualifications

Education & Registrations

Bachelor of Science, Fire Protection and Safety Engineering. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL

Registered Professional Fire Protection Engineer (FP 479) — California

Fellow, Fire Forensics/Fire Investigations, American College of Forensic Examiners (ACFE)

Diplomate, Fire Forensics/Fire Investigations, American Board of Forensic Examiners (ABFE)