By the U.S. Fire Administration

The National Fire Academy (NFA) fire investigation curriculum was developed to provide students with training that features cutting-edge technology, up-to-date legal information, and proven teaching techniques from professional trainers with experience in the field.

Why should I consider attending fire investigation training?

By taking these courses, you will improve your job performance with the most up-to-date science and techniques for modern fire investigation. You will also increase your knowledge of how to pursue arson cases through the judicial system. These courses position you for growth in your department and in the industry.

Seasoned instructors make all the difference in NFA fire investigation training, with courses offered through a partnership between the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) NFA, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Throughout these training opportunities, you will learn from experts with deep experience in the field fighting fires, investigating fires, and working within the legal system (civil and criminal) to provide evidence and testimony.

What is your community doing to prepare for wildfire? Just as wildfires can occur anywhere in the U.S., Fire Adapted Communities can be created anywhere. What is a Fire Adapted Community and how do you become one? Find out…https://t.co/4wCVhKSG3b #WildfirePreparednessWeek

— U.S. Fire (USFA) (@usfire) May 5, 2022

As a supervisor, why should I send personnel to NFA fire investigation training?

The better your team, the better prepared your team is to serve your community by saving lives and reducing property loss. Specifically, NFA fire investigation training will help give you and your team more confidence in the conclusions made regarding the origin of fires being investigated.

Along with that additional confidence, these courses can increase your organizational efficiency in the field and in the documenting and reporting of fire investigations.

(See step-by-step instructions on how to apply online for a National Fire Academy or Emergency Management Institute course. Courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration and YouTube.)

Attendees benefit from essential hands-on training

In addition to classroom instruction, there are 2 facilities at the NFA that provide important hands-on training:

Burn Cells

The burn cells are concrete structures where scenarios are set up — such as a commercial office or a residential living room — and then burned following specific arson or non-arson methods.

In this “real-life” simulation, under USFA and ATF supervision and following procedural guidelines, the attendees investigate the fire to determine the origin of the fire and whether it is a crime scene.

Burn Lab

The Burn Lab is home to instructor demonstrations and attendee hands-on practical exercises.

For example, on a smaller scale than a burn cell demonstration, similar materials, such as different types of carpeting, are set on fire to show their different properties (burning, melting, etc.) for identification in a future field investigation.

Instructor demonstrations include electrical aspects, such as showing how an appliance can be the cause of a fire (progressions, fault analysis, etc.).

(Hear from NFA Training Specialist George Morgan as he provides an overview of classroom and virtual training opportunities for potential students interested in the Responder Health and Safety curriculum, recorded for the National Arson Awareness Week webinar on May 3, 2021. Courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration and YouTube.)

Fire investigation course offerings

New Courses:

• “Fire Investigation: First Responders” (F0770): 2-day off-campus

• “Fire Investigation: First Responders” (O0770): 2-day off-campus

• “Fire Investigation: First Responders” (S0770): online instructor-led (live)

• “Fire Investigation: First Responders” (W0770): 2-day on campus

• “Fire Investigation: Forensic Interviewing and Evidence” (R0780): 6-day on campus

Established Courses (Which remain available):

• “Fire Investigation: Case Preparation and Testimony” (R0790): 6-day on campus

• “Fire Investigation: Electrical Systems” (R0776): 6-day on campus

• “Fire Investigation: Essentials” (R0772): 10-day on campus

For more information on becoming a Firewise community visit: https://t.co/niGRNYxb0N. Be sure to also join us this Saturday, May 7 for #WildfirePrepDay2022 https://t.co/MCOnNrvopR

— NFPA Firewise USA® (@Firewise) May 5, 2022

Future specialized courses will focus on report writing and fire dynamics.

For additional information on each course, including dates/availabilities, course description, requirements, prerequisites, selection criteria, pre-course materials, and continuing education units, please go to the NFA Catalog.

Standards, guidelines, and accreditation

NFA fire investigation classes are taught in accordance with the standards outlined in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1033: Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator and under the guidelines of NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.

NFA fire investigation courses meet the criteria for the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Certified Fire Investigator, a standardized evaluation of a fire investigator’s training and expertise accredited by the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board) and the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board.

Most NFA fire investigation classes qualify for continuing education units and American Council on Education recommendations for college-level equivalency.

About the author

Before becoming a training specialist at the NFA in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Kevin Oliver served for over 18 years as a criminal specialist/fire investigator with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

For over 16 years, he was an in-service and fire service instructor at Cape Fear Community College. He started his career as a deputy sheriff/detective. He is a certified fire investigator and an accelerant detection K9 handler.

Assisting Kevin with his work at NFA (including during hands-on training scenarios at the NFA burn range) is his partner, Dublin (photo, above), an ATF-certified accelerant detection canine.

In describing Dublin, Kevin says, “I carry the dumb end of the leash; if they ever taught her to drive and type, I’d be out of a job.”

Originally posted at https://www.usfa.fema.gov/blog/cb-050322.html.

U.S. Fire Administration Recognized in 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

U.S. Fire Administration

• Excellence in Public Safety

  • • Fire Service Training & Professional Development

• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) supports the fire and emergency services professional development community through the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative to standardize training, education, experience, and certification activities.

• USFA and National Fire Academy (NFA) work to advance the professional status and expand the knowledge and skills of fire and emergency services personnel, with free training and education programs to support fire departments and emergency services organizations in preparing for, preventing, and responding to fires and other hazards.

• This national, competency-based professional development system helps to eliminate duplication of efforts and enhance the overall professional development of the fire and emergency services.

(Tonya Hoover, Superintendent at United States Fire Administration describes how the USFA  supports the training, education, and professional development of fire departments so they are better prepared to respond to all hazards. Learn more about the staff behind their mission. Courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration, FEMA, and YouTube.)

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by AMAROK, Fortior Solutions and SIMS Software, along with Returning Premier Sponsors ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, and Reed Exhibitions.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in New York City!

2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program Welcomes New PLATINUM SPONSOR: NEC National Security Systems (NSS)!

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)
• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• DHS Science & Technology (S&T)
• The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)
• The American Red Cross
• The InfraGard National Alliance
• The Metropolitan Police (MPD)
• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
• Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
• The Federal Air Marshals Service
• The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their record of accomplishment include:

AlertMedia, Allied Universal, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems of America, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, HID Global, Mark43, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Lumina Analytics, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Senstar Corporation, ShotSpotter, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and Wiresecure, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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