John R Storm
John R. Storm brings a rare combination of executive-level fire command experience, paramedic clinical expertise, and municipal policy insight that allows him to evaluate cases from every operational and administrative angle. With 30 years in the fire service, including 25 years as a paramedic and service as a chief-level officer, he has been directly responsible for the very decisions, policies, and actions that are often scrutinized in litigation. He has vast experience in operating in and leading 100's of fire and 1,000's of EMS incidents.
What sets Mr. Storm apart is not just his experience—but the breadth and depth of that experience across command, training, compliance, and municipal governance. He has:
Commanded emergency incidents and supervised fireground operations
Developed and enforced departmental policies and training programs
Conducted internal investigations and evaluated personnel performance
Overseen EMS delivery and quality assurance systems
Managed 911 communications and multi-agency coordination
Participated in statewide resource mobilization and large-scale incident management
Led municipal government OSHA compliance
Understanding of FLSA
This comprehensive background allows him to connect standards to real-world decision-making, a critical advantage when explaining complex issues to attorneys, judges, and juries.
In addition, Mr. Storm’s work in executive recruiting and municipal consulting provides insight into hiring practices, leadership standards, and organizational liability, further strengthening his ability to analyze failure-to-train, supervision, and policy-related claims.
He provides expert analysis and testimony in cases involving:
Fire department operations and incident command
EMS standard of care and prehospital treatment
NFPA compliance and training adequacy
911 dispatch and emergency communications
Municipal liability and organizational failures
FLSA, Staffing, and Firefighter Fatigue
Mr. Storm is also currently completing a Master of Legal Studies at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, enhancing his ability to align technical expertise with legal strategy and evidentiary standards.
Why attorneys retain John R. Storm:
Real command experience at the chief level—not just theoretical knowledge
Dual expertise in both fire operations and EMS clinical care
Proven leadership in policy, training, and investigations (cause and origin), key areas in liability cases
Ability to translate complex standards into clear, persuasive testimony
Insight into both operations and administration, strengthening causation analysis
Mr. Storm delivers objective, standards-based opinions supported by decades of hands-on experience, helping attorneys build stronger, more defensible cases.
John has been retained four times in the past month, relating to both fire (cause, origin, and fireground tactics/operations) and EMS (standard of care, duty of patient care, reporting, and documentation) cases.
- Disaster Management
- Emergency Communications & 911
- Emergency Medical Services
- Fire
- Fire & Life Safety
- Medical Devices
- Personal Injury
- Rescue
- Safety
- Wrongful Death
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Education:
Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law, Tempe, Arizona
• Master of Legal Studies (Expected 07/2026)
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
• Master's of Public Policy and Administration
Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois
• Bachelor of Arts, Management
Alternate Dispute Resolution Center, Tempe, Arizona
• Mediation Training
National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, Maryland
• Executive Fire Officer Development Certificate
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
• • NFA, Executive Fire Officer Program, Executive Development
• National Fire Academy – Executive Development Certificate
• Chief Fire Officer (Illinois Fire Chiefs’, IFSAC, & CPSE Equivalent)
• Illinois Fire Officer – Level II
• Illinois Fire Instructor – Level II
• Illinois Fire Officer – Level I
• Illinois Fire Instructor – Level I
• Fire Inspector – I & II
• Firefighter III
• S130/190 – Wildland Red Card Certified
• ICC Fire Inspector I
• The Science of Fire and Explosion Hazards from Lithium-Ion Batteries
• Fire Service Considerations w/Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems
• Fire Investigation for Fire Officers (25-hour tested training program)
• Fire Investigation & Arson Recognition
• Fireworks/Pyrotechnics Enforcement Officials Fireworks Training Program
• Fire/Life Safety Education Specialist
• Department of Homeland Security WMD Response Training (100)
• Vehicle and Machinery Operations
• Fire Service Vehicle Operator
• Advance Technician Firefighter
• Hazardous Materials Technician A
• Technical Rescue Technician
• ARFF Rescue Firefighter
• Confined Space/Trench Awareness
• Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist
• Technical Rescue Awareness
• Railroad Emergency Response and Awareness
• EMT-P (Paramedic)
• EMT-B Basic
• PALS Instructor
• PHTLS Instructor
• CPR Instructor
• ACLS Instructor
Complete NIMS/ICS 100–800 series.
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: Member, Arizona State Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs
Member Arizona State Fire Chiefs Association
Member, Western Fire Chiefs Association.
Member, Illinois Fire Chiefs Association
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: I am currently retained on two cases with a third one pending.
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: 911 and Emergency Communications
EMS Standard of Care
Emergency Management and Resource Deployment - Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 100%
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: Free initial consultation
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: Available upon request
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: Available upon request
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: Available upon request
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Available upon request
- When It Comes to Fire Investigation, Credentials Matter, But Experience Matters More
- Fire Department Staffing Isn’t Just an Operational Issue; It’s a Liability Issue.
- Wildfire Evacuations are Measured in Minutes, Not Hours.
- When Does an EMS Delay Become Negligence?
- “Lights, Sirens, and Liability: How Burnout Impacts Emergency Response Driving and Decision-Making”
- Fatigue, Overtime, and FLSA: A Growing Risk for Fire Departments
- Not Every Fireground Mistake Is Protected by Immunity
Available Upon Request