During the International Association of Arson Investigators 77th Annual International Conference in late April, John C. Kernan, Chief Fire Marshal of Upper Makefield for over 35 years and Chief Fire Marshal of Wrightstown Townships for the past year, was awarded the Guy E. Sandy Burnette Outstanding Accomplishment Award.
This award, presented to Chief Kernan at the conference held in St. Louis, MO, signifies outstanding professional achievements and significant contributions to the field of arson detection and investigation. It also demonstrates exemplary professionalism and investigative expertise. This recognition is awarded to only one individual annually.
For the past 38 plus years, Chief Kernan, a Washington Crossing resident for over four decades, has developed his expertise and skills as one of the most highly certified and experienced forensic arson investigators in this country. His investigative experience is of an international level, having conducted investigations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Canada, Great Britain, as well as 15 states here the U.S. and in all five boroughs of New York City.
For the past ten years Chief Kernan has also served as a principal member of the NFPA #1033 Committee, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator.
Chief Kernan is the principal owner of Certified Investigations, LLC, a private forensic investigative firm that specializes in the expert systematic and scientific processing of scenes leading to the determination of fire origin and cause.
Chief Kernan holds the highest certifications relative to fire investigation, expert courtroom testimony, and is a triple Pro Board Accredited arson investigator.
The International Association of Arson Investigators has awarded Chief Kernan with the Distinguished Service Award on two separate occasions.
The National Association of Fire Investigators has awarded him the Life Membership designation, and the National Fire Protection Association has also awarded him the Life Membership designation. Also, the FDNY, Office of the Fire Marshal, recognized Chief Kernans’ immediate response to Ground Zero following the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Also, Chief Kernan is the recipient of the Kuwait Humanitarian Award and has received special recognition for his assistance and input in the development of the Kuwait Fire Science Academy.
The honorable Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania, and first director of Homeland Security, recognized Chief Kernan “for exceeding all possible expectations relative to fire investigation and establishing yourself as an expert among your peers; you have worn the uniform of public service with distinction.”
Chief Kernan also has 20 plus years of experience as an emergency management coordinator and is certified by the National Fire Protection Association, the International Code Council, and the Pennsylvania Department of License & Inspections as a Chief Fire Code Official.
As of 2026, Chief Kernan has directly impacted over 30,000 plus students and families ìn Upper Makefield Township with on-going fire safety and prevention programs, articles, and presentations.
Chief Kernan has also served his community as a Level 2 Certified Interior Firefighter, Fire Officer Lieutenant, Vice President & President of the local volunteer fire company while achieving Top Responder status as well as the Firefighter of the Year designation.
