Before joining IFII, Peter was employed by Devon Fire and Rescue Service as a Divisional Fire Officer. He retired from this post after 30 years service and was part of a team of officers carrying out investigations into the cause of fire for the last 20 years of his career. The role he adopted at any incident varied from Incident Commander to specialist Fire Investigator, depending on the size and complexity of
the fire and the availability of other officers.

He also holds a Nebosh certificate and is a Member of the International Institute Risk and Safety Managers. During the last few years in the fire service he regularly ran practical fire investigation training for fire officers. A member of the Forum of Arson Investigators he was lucky enough to visit the United States in 2000, to study their methods of arson investigation. On his return he set up the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Arson Task Force in partnership with the police. He is also a Member of the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Association of Fire Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.