Phoenix Heights, Sculpins Lane, Wethersfield, Essex, CM7 4AZ
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Gardiner Associates Training & Research — About Us
I keep six honest serving-men, (They taught me all I knew), Their names are What & Why & When, And How & Where & Who.
— Rudyard Kipling
Who & When
Since the founding of our original company in 1995, our multi-disciplined teams of subject matter experts, have continued to design and deliver a range of training programmes, to thousands of delegates representing UK and overseas Fire Services, Police Services, Forensic Providers, the Insurance industry, and other private sector interest groups.
Our teams of associates: Pioneered the inter-agency team approach; Contributed to the design and development of National and Regional Policy and Practice Reviews; The National Occupational Standard; Assisted Skills for Justice to convert the NOS components into the Level 5 Certificate in Fire Investigation assessment criteria and design our Level 2 Award and Online Introduction (Theory) course options.
What & Why
Under the banner of ‘Live, Learn and Pass It On’, our associates continue to pass on their knowledge and collective experiences to fire investigators, routinely undertaking Tier One and/or complex Tier Two scene investigations. Lessons learnt, fire safety and crime reduction strategies, designed to reduce property loss and the number of fire deaths and injuries and to motivate further research.
Where & Who
In addition to our Online options, theory sessions are delivered in appropriate classroom environments. Hands-on sessions are delivered at our bespoke fire investigation training and assessment facility ‘Phoenix Heights’ in Wethersfield, Essex. Regional events can be pre-arranged at the clients’ venues.
Our Clients In The UK
UK Fire Authorities
Avon
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Cambridgeshire
Cleveland
Cornwall
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Devon & Somerset
Dorset & Wiltshire
Durham & Darlington
East Sussex
Essex
Gloucestershire
Greater Manchester
Hampshire & Isle Of Wight
Hereford & Worcester
Hertfordshire
Humberside
Isle of Man
Kent
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
London
Merseyside
Mid & West Wales
Norfolk
North Wales
Northamptonshire
Northern Ireland
Northumberland
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
Royal Berkshire
Scotland
Shropshire
South Wales
South Yorkshire
Staffordshire
States of Guernsey
States of Jersey
Suffolk
Surrey
Tayside
Tyne & Wear
Warwickshire
West Sussex
West Midlands
West Yorkshire
Former UK Forensic Science Service (FSS) Laboratories
Birmingham
Chepstow
Chorley
Huntingdon
London
Wetherby
Northern Ireland
UK Constabularies
Avon & Somerset
Bedfordshire
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
City of London
Cleveland
Cornwall
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Essex
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Man
Isle of Wight
Kent
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Merseyside
Metropolitan Police
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Northumbria Police
North Wales
Northern Ireland
Nottinghamshire
Police Scotland
South Yorkshire
States of Guernsey
States of Jersey
Suffolk
Surrey
Sussex
Thames Valley
Warwickshire
West Mercia
West Midlands
West Sussex
Wiltshire
Other Organisations
Bureau Veritas
Capita Insurance Services
Crawford CWG
Defence Fire and Rescue Service
Dr JH Burgoyne & Partners LLP
Experian Insurance Services
Fire Investigations (UK)
FM Global
Forensic Explosive Laboratory, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
G Hunt and Partners
Hawkins and Associates
IFIC Forensics
InpsecFire UK
Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Ministry of Defence Police
MScan Ltd
Network Rail
The College of Policing
Pool Borough Council
RAF Fire Service
Rail Accident Investigation Branch
Royal Military Police Scotland
Sellafield Ltd
Sheffield Hallam University
The Robert Gordon University
UK Fire Skills
University of Wales, Cardiff
University of Strathclyde
University of Glamorgan
University of Lincoln
University of Portsmouth
University of Wolverhampton
Our Clients Internationally
Ablaze Investigations and Consulting – Australia
Allcare Insurance Agency Ltd – Malta
An Garda Siochana – Republic of Ireland
Arson Fire & Service Investigations – Italy
Bermuda Fire Service – Bermuda
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – USA
Cavan Fire Brigade – Republic of Ireland
Cyprus Fire Service – Cyprus
Cyprus Police Service – Cyprus
DBI The Danish institute of Fire and Security Technology – Denmark
Dublin Fire Brigade – Republic of Ireland
The Garda Siochana – Republic of Ireland
Les Sapeures Pompiers – France
Dubai Police – United Arab Emeriates
Dutch Forensic Institute – Netherlands
Ecotec Tecnologie Per L’Ambiente – Italy
Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, The Government of Hong Kong – Hong Kong
Galway Fire Brigade – Republic of Ireland
Ingenieursburau Defever – Belgium
NIFV – Netherlands
Malta Civil Protection Department – Malta
Republic of Ireland fire Service – Republic of Ireland
Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Science Centre – Trinidad & Tobago
University of Technology, Sydney – Australia
What Our Clients & Delegates Say About GATR
“The benefit derived from my group of four newly appointed investigators and larger group of experienced practitioners attending the recent fire investigation training courses has been tangible. Working with all at GATR has made training 22 staff in 12 months so easy, nothing was too much trouble.” — Practical Course Delegate
“A thoroughly enjoyable course, it was a full week with plenty of practical scenarios, excellent visiting lecturers and all the Gardiner instructors had huge amounts of experience and knowledge to share with the course, and the food was outstanding!” — Practical Course Delegate
“This interactive training course is second to no other I have attended over the past twenty years. It allowed me to put theory into practice by examining real fire scenes in real compartments. From the introductions to the close of the course it was obvious that the instructors are experts in their fields. The team delivers subjects with infectious passion which builds confidence.” — Practical Course Delegate
“I was impressed with the enthusiasm and motivation that Mick and his team displayed, the course was very well structured and explained well. The team cascaded their under-pinning knowledge in a productive manner making learning sessions enjoyable.” — PDR Course Delegate
“Many thanks, really great refresher training course. Most enjoyable and interesting and will add value to my fire investigation role. With this CPD course under my belt I am looking forward to undertaking the Level 5 assessments at the earliest opportunity.” — PDR Course Delegate + L5C Candidate
“An exceptional PDR Course. The setup is excellent, providing real post fire incidents and with the addition of the knowledge of the instructors, provided an interesting and enjoyable course. This has aided me greatly in my subsequent investigations. Not only was the PDR course a really good refresher, I also learnt and gained far more skills in Fire Scene Examination with the addition of a Level 5 qualification to back it up. Looking forward to my next course with you”. — PDR Course Delegate
Phoenix Heights — The Facilities at Wethersfield
Since 1995 Gardiner Associates has been providing fire / arson investigation training programmes. In 2000 we began delivering practical courses at the Ministry of Defence Police HQ at Wethersfield, Essex. Within the confines of this former air base, a range of specially constructed compartments enabled fire / arson scene examiners to hone their investigation skills in authentic environments.
In 2010, the opportunity was presented to acquire almost the sole use of land outside the perimeter of the base, where we have constructed a new fire / crime investigation training, test and research facility appropriately named ‘Phoenix Heights. ’We chose the name in tribute to the Peter Kay popular comedy TV series, Phoenix Nights, which was about a social club (called the Phoenix), which was burned down twice and arose from the ashes. Co-incidentally the Days Inn Haverhill is located in Phoenix Road.
The fire compartments are decorated, furnished and electrically energised, prior to fires being initiated by various means e.g. domestic accident, electrical supply / appliance fault, incendiary devices etc. All fires are fully instrumented, so that each can be remotely monitored from ignition to extinction. These records, together with photos and videos shot before and during each fire, provide students with the means to validate their findings following each investigation exercise.
On site we have break-out rooms to enable practical course syndicates to carry out briefings, document their findings etc. As well as a classroom and other areas for demonstrations, refreshments and storage. We are implementing a rolling development programme, which will enable us to continually advance, extend and enhance facilities for our students and our training agenda.
The Gardiner Associates Training & Research — Meet The Team
Jill Warwick — BA Hons. — GATR Co-Founder & MD/FD
Former Metropolitan Police Service sergeant with 28 years experience in street duties, custody, advanced driving, first contact officer, training with specialist subjects in Equality and Diversity, Communication/Interview skills and Aviation law/issues. Since the business management buyback from GATR’s former parent company, Jill has managed the company through challenging financial situations and the negative impact of the Covid era. She currently leads our team of fire investigation subject matter experts and support staff.
Mick Gardiner — BA Hons. — GATR CO-Founder • Business Development Director
Spent the last eleven of his twenty-seven years service in the London Fire Brigade as a full time fire investigator, examining over 1200 Tier Two scenes. Contributor to the design & development of the UK National Occupational Standard and conversion into the SFJ Awards Level 5 Certificate criteria. Former CRFP Lead Assessor and IAAI Training & Education working group. Since 1995, Mick has been involved in the training of thousands of UK and overseas practitioners and currently leads a GATR Business Development Team of six associates.
Chris Ward — Director & Company Chair
Formerly 30 years with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service, he retired as Group Manager having maintained a fire investigation reference for many years, He has lectured at the Oman Fire Service College and Sultan Qaboos University. He has a BSc in Forensic Science. (GATR Instructor / Assessor, Course Manager)
Alan Munford — Director & Projects Manager • Head of Assessment Centre
Formerly 36 years with Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service and holding fire investigation reference for much of that time. He sat on the initial working party that converted the UK Fire Investigation National Occupational Standards into a Skills for Justice Level 5 Certificate. (GATR Instructor / Assessor, Course Manager).
Dave Stokes — Director & Phoenix Heights Manager
Formerly 40 years with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Services. As Station Commander he was lead fire investigation co-ordinator with regional reference. Contributor to UK NOS. (GATR Instructor, Assessor).
Mick Conlon — Director & Internal Quality Assessor
Formerly 32 years with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Mick completed an MSc in Fire Scene Investigation in 2015 and completed his Cert Ed in 2003. (Current GATR Instructor / Assessor and Level 2 Manager).
Bill Rebello — Director & Phoenix Heights Manager • Head of Facilities
Formerly 30 years service with the London Fire & Rescue Service. Since the turn of the Millennium, Bill and his teams have been responsible for the refurbishment, furnishing and dressing of hundreds of our Phoenix Heights fire compartments. In addition to overseeing his maintenance and development teams, Bill has provided technical assistance to many public and private sector clients who need to carry out fire related research projects and product tests in the name of science.
The Gardiner Associates Training & Research — Team Associates
John Hubble — Phoenix Heights Manager
Formerly 28 years with Wiltshire and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Services, he became Group Manager and lead fire investigation co-ordinator with regional reference. Contributor to UK NOS. (GATR Instructor, Assessor).
Malcolm Jenkins — Health & Safety Manager
Formerly 31 years with Avon Fire & Rescue Service. In 2003, he set up the Avon FRS Arson Task Force and managed the FI team for 8 years. In 2010 received an MSc in Fire Investigation from Anglia Ruskin University. Also has a HDN in Fire Command and Management. (GATR Instructor/Assessor).
Clive Gregory — Associate • Dog Handler
Formerly 30 years with West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service spending much of his later years as a full time fire investigator. He introduced accelerant search dogs to the British Fire Service and currently has Rocky. (GATR Practical Instructor/support and dog handler).
Colin Heyes — Associate
Formerly 30 years with Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service. During the last nine years of his Fire and Rescue Career, Colin joined the service’s Fire Investigation Team as a Flexi SM. His time spent as Lead Fire Investigator for the Service also involved the mentorship, direction of the training and CPD of colleagues. (GATR Instructor / Assessor and Level 5 Manager).
Mick Cloonan — Associate
Formerly Scientific Support Manager at Scotland yard with 36 yrs service. (GATR Forensic Advisor and currently serving as one of GATR’s Forensic Instructors).
Jack Deans — Associate
Formerly 35 years as a Senior Fingerprint Expert at New Scotland Yard. Jack presented expert evidence at the Old Bailey receiving two Deputy Assistant Commissioner’s Commendations. He is UK Registered Fingerprint Expert and Fellow of both The Fingerprint Society and The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. (GATR Head of Research and Consultant Fingerprint Expert).
Nick Stuart — Associate
45 years in the IT and electronics industry. Nick has a wealth of experience in instrumentation and technical projects. Including electronic hardware development and construction. He utilises his skills to provide Instrumentation, Visual Aids and production to GATR courses.
Paul Canning — Associate
Forensic Photography Consultant with 28 yrs. as a Professional Photographer and Instructor, specialising in forensic, commercial and medical photography. Formerly 14yrs with Metropolitan Police Service as a forensic Photographer, Instructor and Manager.
Mike Adams — Associate
Formerly 27 years’ experience in law enforcement that has covered the Midlands, West London and the South East Wales area. With an Msc in Forensic & Legal Psychology from the University of Leicester Mike was seconded to the Fire Crime Unit within South Wales Fire & Rescue Service and involved in community projects that included target hardening, crime prevention, seasonal grass fires, arson and fire related Anti-Social Behaviour. (GATR Advisor for Police FI Training).
Simon Munford — Associate
Following achieving first class degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, and researching class 4 free-space lasers for communication, Simon spent 6 years working for Hawkins as a fire, explosion and electrical forensic investigator. (GATR Instructor, webmaster and online systems support). Simon also works as a forensic investigator for EFI Global.
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Company Registration # 0778 7575
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Location
Phoenix Heights,
Sculpins Lane,
Wethersfield,
Braintree,
Essex,
United Kingdom
CM7 4AZ
Contact Us
Email: enquiries@gatr.co.uk
General Enquiries: 07581 843 737
Training Course Enquiries: 07702 152 907