Randy Elmore, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI
Randy Elmore (IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI) is the founder of Blazestack, a company dedicated to helping fire investigators close cases faster, catch more arsonists, and come to court fully equipped with the tools they need. With a fire career that began in 1998, Randy currently serves as a Battalion Chief with the Austin Fire Department and as Division Chief in Hays County. His deep passion for fire investigation extends to teaching fellow professionals. Randy has also consulted as a private fire investigator for Donan Engineering and holds certifications in both fire investigation and law enforcement.
Meet Randy Elmore: A Passionate Leader in Fire Investigation
With over 25 years of hands-on experience, Randy Elmore is a fire investigation professional who brings an unmatched depth of knowledge to the field. His passion for uncovering the truth behind fire scenes has made him not only an expert but also a dedicated mentor to aspiring fire investigators. Whether he's leading as a Battalion Chief or creating cutting-edge tools for fire professionals through Blazestack, Randy's commitment to the fire investigation community is unwavering.
Since beginning his fire service journey in 1998, Randy has worn many hats. Today, he serves as Battalion Chief with the Austin Fire Department and as a Division Chief in Hays County, Texas. As co-founder and CEO of Blazestack, Randy continues to innovate by providing world-class fire investigation software to professionals across the industry.
Certifications and Licenses
- Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) – International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) – National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
- Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) – NAFI
- Peace Officer License – Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Texas Department of Health
- Master Arson Investigator – Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP)
- Master Structural Firefighter – TCFP
- Hazardous Materials Technician – TCFP
- Incident Commander – TCFP
Education
- Austin Community College
- Saddleback College
- Coastline Community College
- Rancho Santiago College
- Orange High School
Professional Journey
- Battalion Chief, Austin Fire Department (July 2024 - Present)
- Captain, Austin Fire Department (May 2000 - July 2024)
- Division Chief, Hays County Fire Marshal's Office (September 2020 - Present)
- CEO, Blazestack Inc. (January 2017 - Present)
- Fire Investigator, Donan Engineering (May 2020 - July 2022)
- Lieutenant, Fire Investigations, Austin Fire Department (January 2012 – July 2020)
Skills and Expertise
Randy brings a wide range of skills to his work in fire investigation and public safety, including:
- Fire Origin and Cause Investigation
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Evidence Collection and Preservation
- Fire and Explosion Dynamics
- Fire Prevention and Safety Compliance
- Incident Command and Emergency Management
- Hazardous Materials Response
- Advanced Knowledge of Fire Science and Chemistry
Professional Affiliations
Member of the following organizations:
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Connect with Randy
Randy is always open to networking and sharing insights. Follow him on social media to stay up to date with his latest work and thoughts on fire investigation:
