Fire Investigator I

This teaches foundational level education and training for fire and arson investigators.

Primary resources: NFPA 1033 ““Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator.” NFPA 921 “Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations”

This program is intended for delivery to fire investigators, police officers, company-level officers, and fire fighters who are involved in the investigation process. The program primarily consist of instruction and practical exercises in the areas of cause and origin determination, report writing, scene processing, evidence handling, and participate in practice courtroom testimonials. Topics on burn pattern recognition, point of origin, scene documentation, interviewing techniques, and scene safety will also be addressed at length.

Upon completion, students will have a base knowledge of arson investigation practices and will have had the opportunity to physically examine example fire scenes, process evidence, and participate in practice courtroom testimonies in front of legal counsel.

The practical skills exam, consists of one of two scenarios. 1. Acquired Structure (accidental/incendiary cause) or 2. Previously Burned Structure (accidental/incendiary cause) The fire investigator’s exam includes scene examination, gathering information, writing reports, interviewing, determining origin and cause of the fire, and creation of a complete case file for each fire investigation. The investigation presentations of case files shall consist of candidates working as a team on an investigation. Teams shall consist of 1 to 4 candidates and an evaluator. Each team shall conduct one complete investigation from one of the scenarios listed above. Each member of the team shall be assigned at least one individual task to be completed during the investigation. All individual tasks must be assigned and completed in the investigation.

Wednesdays: 6pm to 10pm
Saturdays: 8am to 4pm

Students must pre-register in ACADIS