Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jeff Koehn on September 30, 2007 at 10:25pm

I sort of agree with the National acceptance. When I took the CFEI exam in 2003, I took it at a national seminar. I reviewed 921 and studied before and was well prepared for the test. A few hours before the test I spotted another individual with a worn copy of 921 and he was flipping through pages studying. We spoke on a break and he informed me that he had recently been hired by a company to conduct origin and cause examinations and consult as an expert in the electrical engineering field. He was young and had only been a PE for a few months and had never been at a fire scene much less conducted a scene investigation. He was given the copy of 921 by his boss the day before the seminar. After the test we spoke again and we had both passed and both of our scores were in the 90's. His however was two points higher than mine and to matter matters worse, he was taking the CVFI exam the next month at the NAFI seminar.
I trained as a firefighter, police officer and as a private investigator. I feel confident in my training and my opinions at fire scenes. No one gets everything right and using 921 helps guide you more efficiently, however, just because there are letters after your name and you've stood in the ashes does not make you credible. The totality of one’s training, experience and background lends credibility to his opinion and recognition as a professional, not the test that surmises your reputation.

Permalink Reply by Moose on November 15, 2007 at 2:05pm

I agree brother, I am nationally certified through NAFI and it gets you some good credentials for jobs and court hearings.
I got trained by taking two courses at the NYS Fire Academy in Montaur Falls NY. They were Fire Behavior & Arson Awareness, and Principles of Fire Investigation. In order to get on my county team, which I am still trying to accomplish, you need that, Fire Scene Photography, Evidence Collection, and interviewing Techniques for the Fire Investigator. I have also taken Electrical Fire Cause Determination I & II at the academy, and Fire Investigation at college taught by the Fire Chief from the city of Schenectady Fire Department. All good courses. I would like to take those mentioned above, and the Vehicle Cause and Origin class which covers cars, trucks, boats, heavy equipment, etc.

How is everyone? Glad to be in this group, and I hope to learn from all of you as I am still a probie in the fire investigation field. I only have about 30 hours under my belt, all of which was for my clinical time that I needed for Level I Investigator. So I am still in-experienced and I am open to any and ALL advice from any of you. Thanks!!
Moose

Permalink Reply by firemanstep on January 24, 2008 at 6:56pm

Hi

I just started taking classes, they are hard for me to get. I have taken the o/c class at the NFA, it was a great class. I am having trouble getting the other classes that are required. I am also having trouble finding someone in the area that will let me tag along. I have just found one investigator will to take me out on investigations. I would like to have at least a couple of fires under my belt before going for certification. I have been going through the 921 and a couple of other books. Is there any advice about getting the cert first or a little experience? let me know thanks

Take care and Be SAFE

Step

Permalink Reply by Andrew M.D. on September 26, 2008 at 10:30pm

In the state of Louisiana, we are an IFSAC state. We have a state certification, much like pro-board and in fact, we are now both. The only problem with the IFSAC certification is that it is based on NFPA 1033, not 921. Further education through IAAI (most states have chapters) and NAFI is advised. There might be possible state do have some organization that do the same thing. Going the PE route is very beneifical.

Permalink Reply by Andrew M.D. on September 26, 2008 at 10:31pm

Mr. Jones. How does NYS define their investigator Levels?

Permalink Reply by Moose on September 29, 2008 at 7:59am

Level One Investigator is Principles of Investigation and Fire Behavior & Arson Awareness plus 35 hours of hands on experience checked off by fire chief or county coordinator. Level II is the above, plus vehicle investigation, wildland investigation, and additional hands on training...I BELIEVE...Do not quote me though as I am only a level I.
To be Nationally certified I took the National Exam offered through NAFI with a certified proctor.

Permalink Reply by Rob on January 23, 2009 at 4:32am

In Ohio there is no certification for investigation. You can be told by the fire chief to go look at the fire and see what started it and poof! You are the investigator. Now, is this a good practice, of course not. Is it done frequently, god I hope not (it is not around my area). The state has a couple of good fire investigation courses as do many of the schools that have fire science programs. In fact the state just revised their program and now the advanced course is 2 weeks rather than 4 days. Might go take it soon and see what kind of new ideas, gadgets, and so forth I might not know about yet.

As for CFEI, good idea, poor execution. CFI is better in that you are not having to pay dues every year to maintain your certification. But at the same time CFEI is a much more pronounced and drawn out process. Not knocking CFEI because you do have to know the basics, but before you get to test for CFI you got time under your belt too, and that speaks volumes.