CFITrainer.Net Podcast

The IAAI and CFITrainer.Net present these podcasts with a focus on issues relating to fire investigation. With expertise from around the world, the International Association of Arson Investigators produces these podcasts to bring more information and electronic media to fire investigators looking for training, education and general information about fire investigation. Topics include recent technologies, issues in the news, training opportunities, changes in laws and standards and any other topic that might be of interest to a fire investigator or industry professional affected by fire. Information is presented using a combination of original stories and interviews with scientists, leaders in fire investigation from the fire service and the law enforcement community.

Rod Ammon: Welcome to the IAAI CFITrainer.net podcast, a feature of the International Association of Arson Investigators' premier online learning network, CFITrainer.net. The IAAI ITC 2026 is coming up from April 26th through the 30th in St. Louis, Missouri. And today we have a preview of the classes and events at Fire Investigations Premier Training and Networking Conference. The IAAI ITC offers five days of training classes taught by experts, networking events, excursions, and a full guest program for loved ones accompanying conference attendees. Dozens of classes are available, including cutting edge topics like turbulent flow fire patterns in the upper layer of compartment fires, mental health and resilience in fire investigators, how fires start in factory-built chimneys and fireplaces, underground gas leak explosions, and concentrated solar reflective irritants from low E glass as a fire ignition source. Other classes will answer your investigative process questions like how to integrate fire investigation standards requirements into your practice, when to perform electrical systems testing, and how to ensure success in a multi-agency investigation. Investigators are presenting several case studies this year, including the St. Louis fatal flash powder explosion, a 500 gallon underground propane tank leak resulting in a house explosion in Loudoun County, Virginia that killed a firefighter, a fire at the Point Shamrock warehouse in Meaden, Indonesia, and the Yankin Majestic Resin Plant Explosion in Columbus, Ohio. For a full list of class offerings, visit IAAIITC.com. That's IAAIITC.com. In addition to single session topic focused classes, IAAI ITC offers three multi-day long format courses. Fundamentals of fire investigation is the IAAI's foundational 40-hour course to equip fire investigators with the knowledge necessary to properly determine fire origin and cause. Fundamentals of fire investigation is also a foundation of the IAAI's fire investigation technician certification. The IAAI certified instructor course meets NFPA 1041 1020's requirements for the IAAI CI certification. Expert courtroom testimony is always a sold out course, so IAAI ITC is your opportunity to experience what it's like to testify as an expert witness in a real case. You'll give a deposition, prepare your testimony, and take the stand for direct examination and cross-examination. Outside the training opportunities, IAAI ITC 2026 will offer networking opportunities beginning with the golf scramble that kicks off the week on Sunday, April 26th. Other events continue between the week's classes and in the evenings during the awards banquet and live auction. For spouses and traveling companions, the guest program has a week of fun activities and fellowship around beautiful St. Louis, including the Gateway Arch, a Mississippi Riverboat cruise, the Mississippi Botanical Gardens inside Forest Park, Anheuser-Busch, and a crawl down the iconic Route 66 that includes Merrimack Caverns, the World Bird Sanctuary, and Ted Drews. With us today is current IAAI President David E. Bridges. He is an IAAI CFI and IAAI CI. President Bridges is a technically trained attorney. Prior to earning his law degree, President Bridges gained extensive experience as a special agent fire investigation and accelerant detection canine handler with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. President Bridges has conducted examinations of over 1,000 fires. He's an adjunct instructor for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the National Fire Academy. President Bridges has served the IAAI in numerous capacities, including the board of directors, co-chair of the Training and Education Committee, first and second vice president, and now president. Nice to have you with us today, David.

David Bridges: Yeah, thank you for having me. It's an honor to be here.

Rod Ammon: That's a high calling to be an honor, but thank you. As the IAAI's president this year, what is your vision for the IAAI ITC? What's changed? What's improved?

David Bridges: Good question. My vision, if you were to ask, and you have asked, it reflects the principle that has guided me during my year as the IAAI president, and that starts with preparation. Preparation creates competence. Competence builds that credibility. Credibility helps make the world safer. And the ITC is where that preparation begins. This year at the ITC, we've got three ballrooms of instruction running throughout the entire week. They cover virtually every aspect of fire and explosion investigation, litigation, and they include topics like fire scene analysis, forensic engineering, electrical failures, evidence documentation, expert testimony, litigation, insurance claims preparation. And we're also offering this year, we're very honored and pleased to offer several of those cornerstone professional programs that the IAAI has developed and continued to execute over the years. And those are separate classes for the IAAI Fundamentals of Fire Investigation, the IAAI's Instructor Methodology or Adult Learning Course of Instruction, and the IAAI Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony Class. These classes, these three separate IAAI classes that I mentioned, they help investigation and litigation professionals strengthen their technical knowledge and helps them with building their professional credibility. And the reason why that's important, Rod, is because in our profession, it's not enough for you to simply reach that right conclusion. So it may not be enough for you to get the right answer. You've got to be able to show your work and demonstrating how you get those conclusions, tracking that progression of your analysis using sound methodology and the scientific method. That's key. And that's why for the ITC, the vision is all about making sure that you're prepared to be your best self. And whatever your role is in the public or private sector and being qualified, certified and competent, and that's what the ITC does and it's the vision for the ITC.

Rod Ammon: Sounds great. There's a whole lot going on. Man, I was reading the list.

David Bridges: Yeah, there's a lot. It's a busy week.

Rod Ammon: So what got you excited this year about the ITC? Anything specific?

David Bridges: Really, it's fascinating to see the whole fire and explosion investigation community come together. At the ITC, you've got many different professionals across a wide variety of disciplines. You've got fire investigators, you've got law enforcement personnel, forensic engineers, insurance claims professionals, scientists, attorneys, other representatives from the legal community. And the reason why that's important, Rod, is because modern fire investigations are multidisciplinary and the ITC is that place where those disciplines can come together and we can learn from one another. And one session I'm particularly excited about this year is on Monday, April the 27th, and it's titled Forensic Electrical Investigation Testing and Demonstrations: When Should Fire Investigators Perform Testing? That session features Dr. Mark Savare and Dr. Nick Carey. And it focuses on the proper role of testing and electrical fire investigations. And these types of sessions, in particular, the one I mentioned are incredibly valuable because they help investigation professionals strengthen those investigative processes and they reinforce the importance of having that sound methodology, which is a cornerstone of having your forensic observations, findings, your opinions scientifically sound and aligned to resonate with that trier of fact, which in the United States is the jury, but in many other parts of the world, it may be a jury or a judge of some sort.

Rod Ammon: Talk about two great talents to teach a class, and that sounds great. Others that you're looking forward to? I mean, we did a rundown at the beginning of the podcast about some of them, but always like to get your feeling. I asked you for one, now I'm going for another one.

David Bridges: I've got a couple other things that I'd like to talk about. The first is it's a brand new program. And it's hard, I'll acknowledge it's hard to really distill it down into one or two classes because really it's a great week of learning. One new program I'm particularly excited about and honored to be a part of is what we are calling it the IAAI Ignite Leadership in Action. It's going to be taking place for the very first time at this IAAI ITC in St. Louis, Missouri. And this class is focused on leadership, collaborative leadership that focuses on developing that next generation of leaders, maybe at the international, the IAAI level, or maybe at the frontline chapter level, maybe in a committee capacity and developing that next generation of leaders within the fire investigation community. Because good leadership, strong leadership is critical to making sure that our profession, your profession, continues to grow and adapt to these emerging challenges that we face. So I'm particularly excited about that one. There are going to be many people involved with that session, and it's going to be a session that we, following the ITC that we work to provide as a resource to the chapter so that we can make this training available at the chapter level as well throughout the year.

Rod Ammon: Sounds like a great idea, developing the core. Awesome.

David Bridges: There's one other one I wanted to mention. I've got three. And the third item I want to mention for this week is April the 30th is going to be an eight-hour track dedicated to the insurance industry. And from the IAAI, at the ITC, you're bringing together fire investigation experts, insurance professionals, public and private sector investigators, engineers, attorneys from around the world for a week of high level training, collaboration, and networking. And this insurance track, we're delighted to bring it back through the chair of our insurance group at the ITC and the co-chair of the insurance group at the ITC. And that is Chris Conzelman and Tristan Abbott. They have helped us get this brought back into the agenda. And that track, most sessions are going to be designed for the real world challenges that claims investigation professionals face with respect to their complex losses, litigation, subrogation, liability. That Thursday starts with a class put on by Karen Peterson with Liberty Mutual called Collaboration Not Collusion. It's going to feature case studies showing how investigators collaborate on complex scenes while maintaining that proper investigative independence. The next session that day is going to be called Opinion to Trial presented by Chris Conzelman with White & Williams. And that's going to focus on the transition from the fire scene analysis to the courtroom testimony, giving that practical roadmap. In the afternoon that day, you're going to have Jason Marderosian, Greg Trosper with Fire and Explosion Consultants. They're going to present public and private fire investigations. It's the same but different. And that class is going to explore differences between public and private sector investigations, talking about getting access, reporting responsibilities, and how civil litigation intersects with that investigative work. And the final session that day is going to be put on by Brad Gordon, Gerfeld and Hoffman and Brent Shockman with Rimkus Consulting Group. And that session's going to be called, It Can All Be Majestic. And it is a case study that highlights how insurance professionals, their contributed expertise in origin and calls, investigations, structural, mechanical engineering, chemical process analysis, and controlled demolition of an otherwise unstable structure, how all those things and the different expertise contributes to that essential role in modern investigation activities.

Rod Ammon: That's beautiful. Sounds like awesome opportunity for insurance professionals as well as people who are more on the fire investigation track themselves or that work with insurance companies. It's great. And it's all into one day. So it's been compressed so that it makes it easier for people in the insurance industry to attend.

David Bridges: Right. That's the goal. And our insurance group, they've done a phenomenal job putting this back into the agenda. And we're very, very excited about that and what that's going to look like.

Rod Ammon: Cool. I'm thinking about, you and I have talked about this so much about how ITC is an opportunity for members to become more involved. Talk about how somebody who's coming to ITC the first time, or maybe they've been there several times, but how they can get more involved in the business of committees, the AGM, volunteer positions. What are you looking for? What do you think would be good for the organization and for people that are getting involved?

David Bridges: Yeah. The ITC has something for everyone, and we are a melting pot of a very diverse group of public and private sector professionals. We recognize that the opportunity may look a little bit different for you depending on what your interests are, what you're passionate about. And at the ITC, there's opportunities for you to get involved in all aspects of the IAAI's work. And so you can learn more about the organization itself. You can learn more about how the IAAI is positioned and equipped to assist you in that preparation piece that we talked about earlier, being qualified, certified and competent on that membership side, training and certification side. And you can get involved at the IAA ITC and committee meetings. You can go to the annual general meeting, learn more about the work of the IAAI committees. You can explore opportunities to volunteer, maybe opportunities that you never anticipated. And many of the leaders within the IAAI today, they began their involvement in the same way that I did through committee service or even at the IAAI's frontline chapter committees and leadership. And the takeaway, Rod, for me, is that the IAAI is truly member driven. And so the IAAI is an area where many members begin their journey of service. And again, that service may look very different from individual to individual. And we recognize that and we are very much proud of that. So there's plenty of ways to get involved if you are a member, or by the way, if you're a non-member, because we recognize that people come to the ITC and they may not be a member. And the IAAI wants to allow that prospective member to give them an opportunity to show them why it is that the IAAI can help them through that journey, both today and in the future.

Rod Ammon: Well, we always talk about it being a great networking event. And like you said, there's so much for everyone that's there and there are from so many different places, just a good feeling throughout the entire time. I see that the main hotel is sold out and there's a hotel right nearby, real close, that's taking reservations now. So sounds like there's going to be a good turnout and a good bunch of people that are going to be there. If I'm new to ITC, or maybe I'm just shy and I've been there a couple of years, who do I talk to? How do I tell people that I want to volunteer or that I want to get involved in a committee?

David Bridges: Yeah, good question. The easiest answer to your question is it starts with me. As the president, reach out to me, express your interests, but your IAAI board of directors, your IAAI executives, your IAAI administrative staff, IAAI executive director, Anne Stone are approachable. They're ready, willing, and able to assist and to help you in whatever that question is. And so we want to be approachable. And if you're struggling to find how you believe you could fit, don't feel like you have to have an answer to that question, but reach out and start that conversation. I'm a perfect example of someone that when I started in my public sector service, being an attorney and being an attorney, handling fire and explosion cases was the furthest thing on my mind. But naturally, that journey through the IAAI to credit has helped me throughout my career, both in the public and private sector. And so having that conversation is really the hardest part, but I can't stress that enough that everyone at the IAAI stands ready to assist you and help you in whatever that question is.

Rod Ammon: All the people you mentioned, I think they'd be standing right there waiting. So David, tell me about... I think there's a president's reception or something. That might be a good time to meet people.

David Bridges: Yeah, a great question. The president's reception is on Sunday, April the 26th, 2026 from 6:00 to 9:00, and it is a welcome reception for attendees. It's a great spot to meet people, a great spot to collaborate, a great spot to have those initial conversations. Even if you are new or if you're returning and you've been to many, many ITCs, it's a great opportunity to reconnect with individuals that you've gotten to know or you will get to know from all over the world.

Rod Ammon: One other thing that I think sometimes people don't understand, they hear AGM, AGM. Why don't you tell people what AGM stands for and what happens at it?

David Bridges: Annual General Meeting or the AGM is the time of the ITC. It's held in conjunction with the ITC every year. And it is the opportunity for the IAAI to report to members on the business of the organization. It's an opportunity for you to learn what committees are doing, what committees have done, it's an opportunity for you to find out. Sort of like the health checkup or the report card on the organization. And it's another opportunity for you to find out what committees are doing. Committees will provide formal written reports. There'll be time for new business as well at the annual general meeting, and there's a time for the results of the elections, which are open currently.

Rod Ammon: Great. There was one other thing I was thinking of. Oh yeah, they also nominations are opened there for next year, correct?

David Bridges: Correct. So those soon to be candidates can be nominated on the floor of the annual general meeting at the portion of the meeting that's designated for that. But by the way, those candidates don't necessarily have to be nominated on the floor of the annual general meeting. That portion of the meeting is always highly anticipated to see who those future candidates will be that will be the first to raise their hand and to volunteer to serve in a formal capacity on the IAAI board of directors, IAAI, second vice president, or perhaps even the IAAI Foundation.

Rod Ammon: I appreciate you talking about it a little bit. As somebody who's gone so many years, I often think that a lot of people miss the AGM or they don't understand the value of it. And I think it's a great thing to see. It's great to see people who've been around for years putting someone else, nominating someone for a position. It's great to hear the reports from the folks that you've known and there's some awards. It's a nice event. And well, I guess the only difficult thing about it is sometimes it butts up against classes that you want to go to. So it's there and it's a good thing to check out. So you've been around and you've talked to a lot of different folks. What do some of the members tell you about how they value ITC?

David Bridges: What I hear most, I believe from individuals I'm interacting with throughout the year about the ITC is that it gives them an opportunity to get that training and collaboration really that they can't get anywhere else. And what I'm talking about is the depth of that technical training. We talked earlier about many of the presenters that are going to be presenting this year and just the depth of their knowledge, experience and expertise, the credibility of those instructors, and the relationships that they build with professionals across many different disciplines. From insurance professionals, I hear often they tell us the conference in particular, the insurance track helps them better understand how fire investigations are conducted and how those investigation conclusions are developed, which it strengthens their claims handling, their subrogation investigations or liability investigations or potential litigation outcomes. So depending on what your role is in forensic, fire and explosion, investigation or litigation, there's something for everyone. And the ITC is a perfect opportunity for people to come together, get training that's second to none from instructors who they may ordinarily may never have another opportunity to meet.

Rod Ammon: Well said. Yeah, I think networking is the most powerful thing, well, pretty much in any business. And you could just see it everywhere you look. Just people enjoying each other from around the country, around the world or cross disciplines. It's just a good feeling. And it's something that lasts all year long. I think after people leave, those contacts that they've made just always somehow from what I hear, always give back. If I'm on the fence and I'm like, "I don't know whether I'm going to ITC this year," talk me into it.

David Bridges: I would start by saying you need to invest in your preparation. The professionals that grow the most in their careers are the ones who continually invest in meaningful training, education, collaboration. The IAAI stands ready and exists to help professionals from the public and private sectors become their best selves. And we talked about that means you're qualified, certified, and competent. So whether you're a fire investigator, an engineer, an attorney, insurance claims professional handling complex losses, the ITC is going to give you access to some of the most experienced subject matter experts in the world. And when you combine that training that you're going to get at the ITC with the relationships that you build between classes on breaks, or maybe even after class ends for the day, it becomes an investment that pays dividends throughout your career. And it's something that you really can't put a price tag on. And so I say if you're on the fence and you don't know if this is for you, I would say invest in your preparation because you never know when the case is going to come where you're going to have to draw on that preparation. And in the fire and explosion investigation litigation arena, it's not enough to even get the right answer. You got to know how you got there. And that's really the difference is how you are going to be able to show your work. And showing your work, getting that right answer and tracking the progression from the beginning to the end and taking someone through your analysis, that starts with preparation. So I would tell that person to invest in their preparation.

Rod Ammon: Well said. I think it's like with any career and you're putting in your time. It's obvious the people that are there are either on their way or already are successful in the fire investigation field, and they all just seem very welcoming. Thanks, President Bridges. We appreciate your time.

David Bridges: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing you all at the IAAI ITC in St. Louis, Missouri. Thank you for having me.

Rod Ammon: This IAAI CFITrainer.net podcast is brought to you by the International Association of Arson Investigators and is made possible with funding provided by the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the US Department of Homeland Security. Support also comes from the global IAAI membership, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Strategic Partners, and voluntary online donations from CFITrainer.net users and podcast listeners. Thanks for joining us today on the podcast. Stay safe. We'll see you next month for the International Association of Arson Investigators and CFITrainer.net. I'm Rod Ammon.

2026
Large Compartment Fire Dynamics With Michael Rushton - With us today is Michael Rushton, a Professional Engineer and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator with over 15 years of public and private fire investigation experience.
Marine Fires with Adam Holloway - Today, we’re diving into marine fire investigation with Adam Holloway. Some pretty high profile incidents have been in the news, including the line-of-duty deaths of two Newark, NJ Fire Department firefighters aboard a docked cargo ship loaded with over a thousand vehicles and eleven people hospitalized for smoke inhalation when a fan on a Navy ship malfunctioned.
Fire Fatality Stories with Dr. Elayne Pope - Dr. Pope is here to share cases in which fire effects, patterns, and evidence associated with human bodies made a critical difference in origin and cause determination.
IAAI ITC 2025 Preview with Trace Lawless - IAAI ITC 2025 PREVIEW WITH TRACE LAWLESS
Fire Investigator Behavioral Health with Captain Michael Brewer - What can fire investigators do to help themselves and each other stay mentally healthy given the difficult and sometimes emotionally challenging work they do?
IAAI Investigator of the Year Case Study - This month, the CFITrainer.Net podcast welcomes Captain Chase Hawthorne of the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal to talk about the bizarre case that won him the 2024 IAAI Investigator of the Year Award.
News Roundup: March 2024 - News Roundup - March 2024
Discussing Mentorship from Both the Mentor and Mentee Perspectives with Steve Avato - We discuss mentorship, from both the mentor and mentee perspectives, with Steve Avato, retired ATF Supervisory Special Agent CFI and Fire Marshal Captain with the Loudoun County Virginia Fire Marshal’s Office.
A CONVERSATION WITH SPECIAL AGENT ADAM ST. JOHN AND CAPTAIN CRAIG MATTHEWS - Today, we’re taking a deep dive into fires where the ignition was associated with CSST — that’s corrugated stainless steel tubing.
Laboratory Analysis of Fatty Acids, Oils, and Alcohols with Laurel Mason and Doug Byron - Today, we’re talking about using a lab in your investigations. More specifically, we are going to talk to two experienced forensic scientists about analysis of fatty acids, oils, and alcohols.
The Role of Metallurgical and Materials Science in Fire Origin and Cause Determination. - We’ve got something new and pretty interesting for you today — a closer look at the role of metallurgical and materials science in fire origin and cause determination. Our guide into this world is Larry Hanke.
What's new at the National Fire Academy - A conversation with Kevin Oliver on what’s new at the National Fire Academy.
2022 IAAI Investigator of the Year - Today we're talking with Fire Arson Investigator Nicole Brewer of Portland Fire and Rescue in Oregon. Investigator Brewer was named the IAAI Investigator of the Year in 2022
Multi Unit Multi Fatality Fires - This month, we’re tackling a tough topic on the CFITrainer.Net podcast.
NFPA 1321 is coming in 2023. Are you ready? December 2022 - In 2023, NFPA will release a new standard, NFPA 1321: Standard for Fire Investigation Units. We preview this standard on the newest episode of the CFITrainer.Net podcast.
Spoliation: What You Don't Know Can Jeopardize Your Investigation November 2022 - Attorney Chris Konzelmann Discusses Lessons Learned from Recent Litigation
The Internet of Things: September 2022 - Welcome to the CFITrainer.Net podcast. Today, we're talking about the Internet of Things. You're going to learn what that is and why it's an important investigative tool you might not be using.
News Roundup: July 2022 - This month on a new episode of the CFITrainer.Net podcast, we’re talking about fascinating news that’s crossed our feed recently.
June 2022 - On this month’s CFITrainer.Net podcast, we're going to get into an issue that seems to be increasing in regularity, and that's warehouse fires.
Fire Investigator Health and Safety: March 2022 - This month on a new episode of the CFITrainer.Net podcast, Dr. Gavin Horn, Research Engineer at UL's Fire Safety Research Institute, and Jeff Pauley, Chair of the IAAI’s Health & Safety Committee, discuss the latest research on fire investigator health and safety.
NFPA 1321: New NFPA Standard Affecting Fire Investigation Units: January 2022 - On this month’s CFITrainer.Net podcast, we talk with Randy Watson, chair of the technical committee for NFPA 1321: Standard for Fire Investigation Units.
December 2021 - On this month’s CFITrainer.Net podcast, we look back at 2021 and how CFITrainer.Net evolved to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and rapidly changing technology.
October 2021 - Welcome to the CFITrainer.Net Podcast. It's been a while since we've done a news round up so today we're covering some new research and fire investigation cases.
Fire as a Cover for Murders and Gender Reveal Fires: September 2021 - This episode we talk to Texas Ranger Sergeant Drew Pilkington about incendiary fires as a cover for murder and we discuss a tragic quadruple domestic violence homicide.
May 2021 - As part of National Arson Awareness Week, CFITrainer.Net has a new podcast exploring the week's theme, "Arson During Civil Unrest."
December 2020 - On this podcast we talk to Bobby Schaal about the new Fire Investigation for Fire Officer certificate and then we offer a brief update on an investigation in Stowe, Vermont.
August 2020 - This month we talk to a legend in the fire investigation field, Dr. Quintiere, sometimes known as Dr. Q. He has a rich experience in the fire service dating back to the 70’s, and he is working on fire in micro-gravity today.
July 2020 - July '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this new episode of the CFITrainer.Net podcast, Scott Bennett, talks about the fascinating case he and Mark Shockman worked that won them the IAAI Investigator of the Year Award. You won't want to miss our conversation. And, new IAAI President Rick Jones stops by to discuss what he is excited about for IAAI's growth this coming year — there are a lot of innovative and valuable initiatives on the way.
June 2020 - June '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this month's podcast we interview Doug Byron, President and Senior Forensic Chemist from the FAST lab about fats and oils and spontaneous combustion, and how they are involved in fire investigation. After our interview with Doug, we offer some thoughts on your job and the COVID-19 situation.
May 2020 - May '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. Join us this month for a new podcast where we talk briefly about online learning that is available and then we speak with Dr. Peter Mansi, Past President of the IAAI.
April 2020 - April '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month on the Podcast we interview President Barry M. Grimm from the IAAI and talk to Wayne Miller, Author of "Burn Boston Burn -The largest arson case in the history of the country.
March 2020 - March '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month on the Podcast we talk about some resources for COVID, updates from the IAAI and talk with a fire Marshall in New Hampshire about challenges in their region related to Sober Homes.
February 2020 - February '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast follows along with our technology theme. We look at social media’s effect on some fire investigations and then we talk with Mike Parker about his work with social media while at the LA County Sheriff’s Department.
January 2020 - January '20 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast gives you updates on Australia’s wild fires and an investigation and arrest tied to a large New Jersey fire. We also talk with Zach McCune from Rolfe’s Henry about a case study and course that he and Shane Otto will be leading at ITC this year. Zach talks about an arson fraud case and how spoofing and masking technologies were used to frame an innocent mother and perpetuate an arson fraud.
December 2019 - December '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In under ten minutes this podcast offers a review of 2019 milestones and new content and features that you might have missed. We also give you a quick preview of what to expect in 2020.
November 2019 Podcast - November '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we learn about two new technology solutions being studied for fire investigation and then we visit with Lester Rich from the National Fire Academy
October 2019 Podcast - October '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this podcast episode, we’re back for the second part of the CCAI live burn training event — the actual burn and post-fire.
September 2019 Podcast - September '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we travel to San Luis Obispo where we were hosted by the California chapter of the IAAI (CCAI). We had a rare opportunity to experience what it’s like to set up this training and experience a wildland burn in California. There was a lot to learn!
August 2019 Podcast - August '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's CFITrainer.Net podcast is under 15 minutes and offers information about fires in electric vehicles and what you need to know.
May 2019 Podcast - May '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this month's CFITrainer.Net podcast, you'll hear from ATF Special Agent Chad Campanell, who will discuss how ATF can assist state and local fire investigators with training and investigations, ATF resources available to fire investigators, and ATF's support of CFITrainer.Net. Also, we summarize the final report of a multi-fatality fire at a senior living community in Pennsylvania, where ATF cooperated with state and local investigators to reach conclusions.
April 2019 Podcast - April '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. There are two new additions to CFITrainer.Net! A new podcast with Dan Madrzykowski from UL speaking about ventilation and Fire Flow, and a new module called “Fire Flow Analysis”.
March 2019 Podcast - March '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast includes updates from the IAAI related to the election, the upcoming ITC, and a new website specifically about evidence collection. After the updates, you will also hear some news stories related to fire investigation.
February 2019 Podcast - February '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month take 10 mins and hear some fire investigation and IAAI news.
January 2019 Podcast - January '19 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we’re looking back on some of the biggest issues in fire investigation in 2018.
November 2018 Podcast - November '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we talk with Jeff Pauley from the IAAI’s Health and Safety Committee. Jeff is an IAAI-CFI and the Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee. In this podcast, he talks about ways to reduce exposure to carcinogens related to fire investigation. By listening, you will learn about ways to reduce your risks, learn about new resources that are available to assist you, and research that is coming soon.
October 2018 Podcast - October '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month meet and learn about IAAI’s new Executive Director, Scott Stephens and plans for the future. After that interview, hear some wild stories from the national news related to fire investigation.
September 2018 News Roundup - September '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts.
Short stories related to fire investigation - June '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. Join us for a brief Podcast that includes five minutes of short stories related to fire investigation.
What you need to know about Arson Awareness week - April '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we welcome Tonya Hoover, the Superintendent of the National Fire Academy. Superintendent Hoover came to the NFA with more than 20 years of experience in local and state government, most recently as the California State Fire Marshal.
Growing pot and earning Bitcoin can start fires? - March '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this month’s podcast, hear a story about how the Bitcoin business might be causing fires? What similarities are there between Pot growers and now Bitcoin miners?
Training related to wildland fire investigation - February '18 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast highlights new training related to wildland fire investigation featuring an interview with Paul Way, and this year’s International Training Conference. We also have a pretty wild story before we wrap up. Birds starting fires?
Smart homes and digital data gathering issues - December '17 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this podcast, we discuss two topics on the technology and forensics cutting edge. Michael Custer of Kilgore Engineering, Inc. and retired Special Agent Tully Kessler share some knowledge and give us a taste of the classes that they will be presenting at ITC 2018.
Discussion with Writer Monica Hesse - September '17 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this podcast, you will hear some great news related to the IAAI and CFITrainer.Net and then we have an interview with Monica Hesse, the writer of a new book called "American Fire: Love, Arson, and Life in a Vanishing Land."
Discussion with Criminalist- John DeHaan - June '17 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month on the CFITrainer.Net podcast, we talk to Criminalist, fire investigation expert and Author of "Kirk’s Fire Investigation", John DeHaan.
The Ghost Ship - May '17 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. For this podcast, we hear from a retired Captain of the Long Beach Fire Department, Pat Wills. Pat has been in the fire service for 37 years. He has been a leader and an investigator, now he is an educator speaking around the country about the importance of code enforcement.
Fast Podcast about ITC! - March '17 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we talk to David Bridges about what to expect at ITC and the training you won’t want to miss.
CFITrainer Podcast- A profile with an IAAI-CFI® - February '17 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. Join us this month for our podcast as we interview IAAI member and CFI, Jeff Spaulding from Middletown, Ohio. Jeff talks about his work in both the public and private sector and then he shares an interesting story about how a pacemaker is helping in an investigation.
An interview with Dr. James Quintiere - December '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In a discussion with Dr. James Quintiere, we learn about some of his work in fire sciences, a bit about his research, his opinions related to the World Trade Center investigation and what he thinks is important to fire investigation as a scholarly leader in our field.
Fire Investigation After the Flood Podcast - November '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we talk to Dan Hebert, an IAAI, CFI about "How Floods affect Fire Investigation."
September 2016 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - September '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we talk about the recent changes in the FAA's regulations for commercial and public sector use of UAS or "Drones".
August 2016 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - August '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we talk to Jessica Gotthold about the Seaside Heights fire in NJ from 2013
July 2016 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - July '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we talk to Fire Marshall, Ken Helms of the Enid, OK. Fire Department about his team winning the Fire Investigator of the Year award.
March 2016 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - March '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's fire investigation podcast from the IAAI's CFITrainer.Net focuses on the Youth Firesetting Information Repository and Evaluation System, which is called YFIRES for short.
February 2016 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - February '16 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's fire investigation podcast from the IAAI's CFITrainer.Net focuses on what you need to do to ensure the integrity of samples sent to the lab. A conversation with Laurel Mason of Analytical Forensic Associates.
September 2015 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - September '15 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. Our podcast related to the legalization of recreational marijuana and its effect on fire investigation was one of the most popular podcasts ever on CFITrainer.Net. This month’s podcast is a follow up with one of our listeners from California who is an investigator doing training on this very topic.
August 2015 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - August '15 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast is about NFIRS where we interview the Executive Director of The National Association of State Fire Marshals Fire Research and Education Foundation, Jim Narva.
July 2015 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - July '15 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. In this special edition of podcast we’re going to meet the newest IAAI Investigator of the Year, Andrea Buchanan.
May 2015 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - May '15 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's Arson Investigator podcast from IAAI & CFITrainer interviews Jason McPherson from MSD Engineering to talk about some of these new technology tools.
April 2015 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - April '15 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's Arson Investigator podcast from IAAI & CFITrainer interviews Dave Perry, a lawyer in Colorado discussing what fire chiefs, fire investigators, and the legal system are seeing in a state with legalized cannabis in regard to fire cause involving marijuana.
February 2015 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - Feb '15 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's Arson Investigator podcast from IAAI & CFITrainer interviews Mike Schlatman and Steve Carman who are both successful fire investigators and now business owners who have transitioned from the public to the private sector.
December 2014 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - December '14 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast interviews Steve Avato from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives explaining the process of elimination and how it is a critical part of the scientific method.
June 2014 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - June '14 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast interviews the 2014 Investigator of the Year.
April 2014 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - April '14 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast interviews with Don Robinson, Special Agent in Charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Currently stationed at the National Center for Explosives Training and Research, located at the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
January 2014 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - January '14 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast takes a look inside the process of revising NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033.
October 2013 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - October '13 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast focuses on the fire research work of Underwriters’ Laboratories, better known as UL.
February 2013 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - February '13 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month we have an interview with George Codding who returned from a recent trip to Saipan and gives us a closer look at the international activities of the International Association of Arson Investigators
Mid Year 2012 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - Mid Year '12 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This podcast features a mid-year update on the IAAI’s new initiatives and ways for you to get more involved with the organization.
September 2012 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - September '12 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features an in-depth look at the recent live-burn fire experiments exercise conducted on Governor’s Island, New York by the New York City Fire Department, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Underwriters Laboratory, and the Trust for Governor’s Island.
August 2012 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - August '12 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This is a special edition of the CFITrainer.Net podcast previewing the ITC 2013. There’s a new name for the Annual Training Conference from the IAAI now called the International Training conference.
April 2012 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - April '12 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features an interview with Chief Ernest Mitchell, Jr., the US Fire Administrator. Also we will discuss the upcoming ATC, Annual Training Conference, from the IAAI about to happen in Dover, Delaware.
March 2012 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - March '12 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features an interview with ATF Special Agent Billy Malagassi out of the Tulsa, OK Field Office about investigating fires in clandestine drug labs. We also report on NIST’s findings in the Charleston Sofa Super Store fire and IAAI’s Evidence Collection Practicum.
December 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - December '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features one of the presenters from this year’s IAAI ATC and see how a single photo broke the Provo Tabernacle fire case.
October 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - October '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features an interview with Deborah Nietch, the new Executive Director of IAAI.
July 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - July '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features an interview with Tom Fee discussing details of investigating wildland fires.
June 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - June '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month's podcast features a lot of exciting things that are happening at CFITrainer.Net
May 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - May '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month highlights the IAAI ATC in Las Vegas and the third installment in the "It Could Happen to You" series.
ATC 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - This podcast discusses the upcoming IAAI Annual Training Conference and National Arson Awareness Week.
April 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - April '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This podcast announces the release of the program, The First Responder’s Role in Fire Investigation, which teaches first responders how to make critical observations and take important scene preservation actions at a fire scene.
March 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - March '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features some of the instructors from the upcoming 2011 Annual Training Conference, to provide a preview of the courses they will be presenting.
February 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - February '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features an update on fire grants and an interview with Steve Austin
January 2011 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - January '11 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features the release of the new edition of Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033, new flammability requirements from UL for pre-lit artificial Christmas trees and a growing fire problem in Dubai with factories turned into worker dormitories.
December 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - December '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast focuses on home candle fires, lightning punctures in gas piping, and respiratory diseases in the fire services.
November 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - November '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features research findings for structural stability in engineered lumber by UL, the ban on antifreeze in residential sprinkler systems, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s investigation of Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel tanks.
October 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - October '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features high-profile fire cases, why people leave stovetop cooking unattended and how new sensors under development may improve fire research.
September 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - September '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features how to use the ATF’s Bomb Arson Tracking System, IAAI Foundation grants, electrical fires and indoor marijuana cultivation.
August 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - August '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast focuses on social media as a fire investigation tool, a potential problem with modular home glued ceilings and research from Underwriters Laboratories on the effects of ventilation on structure fires.
July 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - July '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast is a roundtable on some of the latest research and technical activities that impact fire investigation, featuring Daniel Madrzykowski (moderator), Steven Kerber, and Dr. Fred Mowrer.
June 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - June '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast discusses career advancement, budget cuts and their impact on fire investigation, and the 2010-2016 ATF Strategic Plan.
ATC 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - Follow-up and Interviews from Orlando. Learn about the conference, hear what attendees had to say.
May 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - May '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. The second in our safety series called "It Could Happen To You." Our Long-Term Exposure roundtable is moderated by Robert Schaal.
April 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - April '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. The first of our two-part safety series called "It Could Happen To You." Our roundtable is moderated by Robert Schaal.
March 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - March '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features a conversation about legislative affairs affecting the fire service with Bill Webb, Executive Director of the Congressional Fire Services Research Institute.
February 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - February '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features our interview with a commercial kitchen’s fire expert about what you need to know when you work a commercial kitchen fire.
January 2010 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - January '10 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features a look at preliminary research on corrosion caused by Chinese drywall, a new database focused on fires in historic buildings, a warning on blown-in insulation, and the launch of the new firearson.com web site.
December 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - December '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features cooking fires, highlights of the International Code Council’s Annual Meeting on code requirements, including requiring residential sprinkler systems, and an easy way to keep up with recalls from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
November 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - November '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features chimney fires, including recent news on surgical flash fires, a proposed national arsonist registry, lightning research and an innovation in personal protective equipment.
October 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - October '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast is devoted to Fire Prevention Week.
September 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - September '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features the relationship between climate conditions and fire risk, new research on formulating fireproof walls and the latest in IAAI news.
August 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - August '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month takes a look at the dangerous combination of summer heat and oily rags, the rise in vacant home fires, and preview research underway on Australia’s devastating "Black Saturday" brush fires.
July 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - July '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month features a look at outdoor grill fires, a fatal fire at a homeless camp in Southern NJ, new NIST research on human behavior during building fires, and IAAI news.
June 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - June '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features live reports from the 2009 IAAI Annual Training Conference held in May.
May 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - May '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This podcast is dedicated to National Arson Awareness Week.
April 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - April '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features the NFPA 921 chapter on marine fire investigations and the myth and reality of static electricity as a source of ignition.
March 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - March '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month focuses on the rise of the hybrid vehicle and what its unique engineering means for the investigation of vehicle fires, the rash of devastating arson fires in Coatesville, Pennsylvania from December 2008 to February 2009, and news from IAAI.
January 2009 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - January '09 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast focuses on the deepening financial crisis in the US and arson for profit fires, how going green may pose a fire hazard and see how rope lighting may be a source of ignition, and IAAI’s Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony course.
December 2008 CFITrainer.Net Podcast - December '08 IAAI & CFITrainer Fire Investigator Podcasts. This month’s podcast features Christmas tree fires, changes to critical fire investigation publications, the weak economy’s impact on home fires, wind’s effect on structure fires, and ATC 2009.