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 CFITrainer.net podcast. Today we'll discuss what's new at the National Fire Academy for Fire Investigation, including new partnerships, updated training programs, and the Major Fires Investigation Authority Congress recently conferred upon the USFA. With us from the National Fire Academy as training specialist Kevin Oliver. Kevin Oliver served in law enforcement for 23 years, the last 18 as a fire investigator with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. He is an IAAI CFI and a North Carolina CFI. With the North Carolina SPI, he assisted in more than 800 fire scenes attaining the rank of criminal specialist and the position of statewide program coordinator for the Fire and Arson Investigations Unit. Oliver served more than 16 years as an ATF certified ignitable liquid detection K9 handler. After retiring from the North Carolina SPI, Oliver first worked as a contract instructor for fire investigation courses at the National Fire Academy, then accepted a full-time position as the training specialist for the fire investigation and sciences program. Oliver oversees the curriculum development and day-to-day administrative programs for all of the fire investigations programs at the NFA. Oliver serves on the NFPA 921, 1033, and 1321 committees in a non-voting position. He teaches and lectures throughout the United States. Kevin, it's great to have you on the podcast.

Kevin Oliver: Good morning, Rod. Good to be with you.

Rod Ammon: A lot goes on at the National Fire Academy. First, give us a pitch for the National Fire Academy's offerings in fire investigation. What courses are offered and how do people register?

Kevin Oliver: We have actually got a lot of stuff going on right now. We are very involved in classes with COVID basically being in the back view for us. We are pretty much up to full strength running. We do our essentials class almost every month, which is pretty much the most in demand class that is offered at the NFA. It's a nine-day class where we go through all kinds of aspects of fire investigations, fire dynamics, fire chemistry. We do a lot of hands-on aspects of it and lot of different aspects that are related to fire investigations in the essentials. We have three other classes that build on those. As far as electrical, we've got a fairly new forensics class that we work with introducing what we call the non-traditional aspects of forensics to fire investigators. And then our other class we have is a case prep and testimony class.

Rod Ammon: Tell us a little bit more about fire investigation, forensic interview and evidence. This class was piloted in September 2022. What is the class and who are good candidates for it?

Kevin Oliver: It is a new six-day class that we started. We piloted it last September of 2022. Like I said earlier, we kind of introduced what we consider non-traditional aspects of evidence collection to the fire investigators. We kind of jokingly describe it as a CSI for fire investigators. But we introduce them to things that we don't generally think of in fire scenes such as fingerprints, DNA, tire impressions, those kind of things that you wouldn't necessarily think of on a regular basis. But we try to introduce it to them to let them know that it can be done as far as fire investigations and more importantly to introduce it to them and to let them know it can be done. But if it's something that they're not comfortable with to call somebody who has the training and experience. It's kind of like we point out in the class if you were to go to the other NFA, the National Forensics Academy in Tennessee to be a certified crime scene technician, you would go to about a 10 to 12 week class. Well, we've got six days, so obviously we're not making experts out of them, but we're kind of introducing to new aspects to them and to give them an idea of new procedures they can use in fire investigations.

Rod Ammon: Yeah, the more we've learned about it, the more we're amazed at how much actually can be recovered from a fire scene and there are a lot of experts out there that get involved. So glad you're bringing that out to folks. Tell me more about forensic interviewing.

Kevin Oliver: What we do with that is we kind of introduce them to important things that we're doing with interviews. We don't go into in depth as far as interrogations or those kind of things, but getting them with the thought process that there are certain things that are incumbent on any fire scene investigation that are needed. Whether it's when I was on the state or state level, or if it's a local investigator or the ATF, anybody like that, there's certain things that are going to be needed. So it kind of introduces them to the thought process of getting those questions across, whether it's to a witness or the first responder, those kind of things. So you're getting into those aspects. We're not getting into the deep dive, so to speak, of really forensics interviewing, so to speak, as far as lying detection, that kind of stuff. Not really as deep in that, just more of the aspects of the things that are needed for investigations and let them tell their story. As we tell them a lot of times, if it's a person of interest or a suspect sometimes just to let them talk. A lie can be as just as good as the truth any day.

Rod Ammon: Good. So if someone's interested in the NFA and again, National Fire Academy by the United States Fire Administration, how do they register? Tell us what they should do.

Kevin Oliver: All of the applications that we do are done online. We currently do application periods twice a year. In fact, the current application period is open right now. We do twice a year from April 15th through June 15th, and then again from October 15th through December 15th. Those are the two periods that we take applications. But we are looking at changing that procedure around probably after the first of the year. Instead of doing on a semester basis, we're looking at doing quarterly basis, but currently we are doing that. We have a period open through June 15th, so they can go online and apply now for any of the classes at the NFA.

Rod Ammon: Are there any new courses in the works?

Kevin Oliver: We've got a lot of things going on at the NFA. One of the big things that we're pushing now is the partnerships that we are working with in our program. As you well know, I mentioned the prerequisites earlier, particularly for the fire investigations we have. The prerequisites that we do are through CFITrainer.net. Within the four classes that we do, there's a total of 30 of the modules with CFITrainer that we require in one class or the other. So we're continuing to build on that partnership. We have a strong partnership with the IAAI in that our classes, three of our four classes meet criteria that the IAAI has for prerequisites or criteria for either their designations or certifications. So we're continuing to build on that relationship. We're looking at incorporating more technologies into our classes. We're looking at 3D scanning cameras to try to incorporate into our curriculums. We have been looking at the possibility of being a host agency for Wildland Fires Investigations. So like I said, we've got a lot of things in the works right now.

Rod Ammon: I was sitting here looking down at my notes and I'm not sure if you mentioned the new Courtroom Survival?

Kevin Oliver: That is one of the ones that we are working on as part of our two-day suite, as we call it, so to speak, for the first responders. We have our original fire investigation for the first responders class that we do. We have another two day class that's in the works. It is called First Responders Fire as a Weapon. We're hoping to have it piloted up and running by about November of this year. That's going to be kind of addressing for the first responder, why people set fires, things to look at when they go to a scene that they can relate to the fire investigators as they're going in if they're more familiar with the situation. I often tell people that when I was with the state, when I was covering 10 counties, I didn't know a whole lot of the players, didn't know a lot of the people in the area, but the locals and the first responders can relate that information to the investigators. So we're kind of looking at some of the things as far as why people set fires and then once you understand how the fires are set then or why they're set, you can look at how they're set. So that's information. And then on top of the Fire as a Weapon class, we are doing one... I'm trying to get back up and running. We're calling it Courtroom Survival For Fire And EMS. It's teaching them how to be fact witnesses or lay witnesses and what to expect in documentation aspects of your fire response. And then if you get called to court, what to expect in the courtroom process, how to be a good fact or lay witness, and more importantly, how not to get drawn into the trap of giving, excuse me, expert opinions when you're not qualified to do so.

Rod Ammon: How is the NFA incorporating new technologies into its classes?

Kevin Oliver: We are looking at doing some aspects of virtual and augmented reality. One of the things that we do is we're looking at doing... We just recently bought some 360 scanning cameras that we're looking to incorporate into our lesson plans, especially the case preparation. Instead of giving them a paper file that we have to get them... We're looking at giving them a virtual scene that they have to process on their own. Virtually process it in order to do their origin and calls aspects of that. So we are looking at doing some different virtual reality or technological aspects of our classes.

Rod Ammon: The NFA and the IAAI recently signed an MOU for certain NFA courses to fulfill requirements for the IAAI-FIT and IAAI-ECT credentials. How did this MOU come about? What's the response been from students?

Kevin Oliver: Yeah. We recently, as part of our partnership with the IAAI, we signed a memorandum of understanding in that they have gone through our classes and recognized the level of detail and the educational value that we offer. So they recognize our lessons and our classes to meet certain designations or certifications within the IAAI criteria. For example, if you come to the NFA and take the essentials class, it has been recognized to meet all of the criteria for the IAAI-FIT. So as part of the MOU to come to the three classes that I'm referring to, you have to score an 80% or higher on that. So you take the essentials class, you score an 80% cumulative grade or higher that meets all the criteria for the FIT designation. So you're able to take our certificate and fill out the application, send it in, and you get your FIT designation. The same goes with our forensics class, the forensic evidence and interviewing. You take our class, you get an 80% or higher. It's recognized as having all the classroom and practical aspects of the IAAI ECT, the evidence collection technician. So you get the 80% from our class, send the application in, and you're able to get your ECT designation. And as we often explain to people that one of the hardest things to get in the IAAI certification or the CFI certification is the expert witness component. Because IAAI requires that you have either been declared an expert witness twice or have an expert witness testimony class. And through the MOU, it has been our case prep and testimony class has been recognized as an expert witness testimony that meets the criteria for the IAAI. So generally most people, that is the last component they need for their IAAI CFI. So they're able to come to our class, get that aspect of it, and get that component and are able to move on to get their IAAI CFI certification.

Rod Ammon: Last I'd like to ask you about the empowering of the US Fire Administration Act, which Congress passed in December. It gives the USFA the authority to send incident investigators like safety specialists, fire protection engineers codes and standards experts, researchers and fire training specialists to conduct onsite investigations on major fires. I know it's early on and there's not yet a defined plan for how the USFA will do this, but what's USFA's thinking on this new power?

Kevin Oliver: It was kind of a reaction to some of the larger fires that had happened in the north-eastern area of the United States. But one of the things that we as the National Fire Academy or the US Fire Administration in general want to get across on this is we are not trying to take over fire investigations on the federal level. There are a number of agencies that have that authority that in particular the ATF, they do a great job. As you mentioned earlier, I was an ATF handler for a number of years, worked closely with the ATF, and we still work very closely with them at the NFA. So that is the one thing that we want to get across is we are not trying to come in and take over fire investigations on the federal level. I think the most important thing that the empowering the USFA does is it gives us the ability to be kind of a clear in-house so that we can go in and if there are these large scale fires, we can bring together all the interested agencies, whether it be ATF, NIOSH, Underwriters Lab, any other agency that may be involved in, and we kind of can correlate their information and put together a report of all of the findings that put together and if need be to make recommendations to try to do things in the future to try to help prevent it. So it is something that's going to be in the works as my supervisor want to say. And the bill, they gave the authority, but as of yet, they have given no money for personnel, for equipment, anything like that. So it's often as referred to as an unfunded mandate. So it's still a lot of things going on in the works with it. It's very much something that will be updated as we go along. But the most important thing is that we are not here trying to take over fire investigations on the federal level. We are way too busy trying to do all of our stuff with the National Fire Academy and trying to get the training and everything along those lines. So that is the most important thing that we want to get across is that there are agencies out there doing it and we are by no means trying to take their place.

Rod Ammon: It seems like there's a lot of great opportunities going on at the National Fire Academy that a lot of people are unaware of. Can you speak to that?

Kevin Oliver: The National Fire Academy is often referred to as a hidden gem within the fire service. There was some estimates at one time that only about one to 2% of the total fire industry ever comes through the National Fire Academy. So that is something that we're trying to do to get the word out as far as our presence here and not just our presence on campus, but our off-campus resources, the classes that we do, other curriculums have off-campus classes they do. Currently, logistically, we're not doing anything in the fire investigations. It's just the way our classes are set up is just too logistically intense to try to go off campus at this point in time. But we do hope in the future that might be something we can do, but there are other curriculums that people could be interested in. And if they have any interest in it, they can go on the NFA website and research any of the classes that we have on campus.

Rod Ammon: Kevin, thanks so much for coming on the podcast today to talk about the National Fire Academy. Hope you'll come back and see us soon.

Kevin Oliver: Thank you. Good to be with you.

Rod Ammon: This podcast and CFITrainer.net are made possible by funding from a fire prevention and safety grant. From the Assistance to Firefighters grant program administered by FEMA and the US Department of Homeland Security, with support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and voluntary online donations from CFITrainer.net users and podcast listeners. Thanks for joining us today on the podcast. Stay safe out there. We'll see you next month. For the IAAI and CFITrainer.net, I'm Rod Ammon.

2024
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 2023 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.
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.