Just something to smile about...There was a explosion in a sugar mill in the south and i was eating with my wife's family when the news story was on the TV. As the story was being told i muttered "dust explosion" and when the newscaster said that was the suspected cause. Everyone stopped eating and my wife asks, "how did you know that?" i said, being certified as a fire and explosion investigator...has its advantages.

Hey all, just joined this group and thought I'd post a short intro. I have been a paid FF for 20 yrs and spent the last doing fire investigation. I think this bit of the job has got to be the most taxing but rewarding part of the whole job. Funny story from me: years ago I went to see the movie Backdraft....I was with a large group of (civilian) people and 5 minutes into the movie I leant over and said something to the person next to me....everyone started whispering "what did she say????" So I repeated it ...."I hope that tall guy in front scoots down a bit" hehehe

Looks Like the group is kind of quiet, New to the group, IAAI Chapter 23 New York here.

GM
This seems to be a place where I might learn something
Very nice to be here
Tom

Hey Guys, I just signed up for this site. I won't go into my bachground, since it is quite extensive, but you can see it on my profile. Anyway, just wanted to say Hi to all the other C&O shovel hands out there and say I look forward to chat with y'all and picking some other "experts" brains. Michael

welcome to all new on signers. i dont get to write as much as i used to but i am pleased that i was able to start a group that is helpful to the C&O Community. i urge everyone to seek additional education and learn as much as you can. i also urge you to ibtain professional certification through NAFI or IAAI both are fine orginizations and certification helps your credability. everyone please be safe (russ)

funny adventures in fire investigation...how a bout some of your funny expierences as an investigator? i'll start---in my first year as a photographer i noticed that all of the clocks showed 8am. i went running to the lead investgator saying "something is wrong, all the clocks are stopped at 8am...the fire came in at 5 past midnight"....he looks at his watch and shows me its 8:10...the clocks were battery operated...i ended up buying lunch for the team(sigh)

Hello everyone glad to find an open site where we can toss ideas and learn from each other. I have been in the fire service since 1991 and have been investigating fires for the past 8 years here in south carolina. It is a dirty, intense job, but very rewarding. I also challange everyone to get as much training as you can and as often as the budget will allow. Be safe and look forward to hearing from everyone.

Thanks for having me aboard.
I've been with the fire service for almost 20 yrs. and became an arson investigator in 1994.
I got into the fire service to learn and help any way I could.
Well, being "old school" has it's advantages. I worked with Vets of the day, very few young people in the house when I started. I found the best learning tool of that time (which still works today) is to listen.
I think I heard every story imagable, large or small, these guys had some incredible days of fire under their belt. Know-it-alls or "I been there done that" people were not tolerated. I kept my mouth shut, and I learned alot from them.
Technology is a wonderful thing, but doing your homework the " old school " way doesn't hurt from time to time.
So for all of you just starting in the field, take time to listen, and be patient, the rest will follow with hard work and determination. Stay Safe.

We recently had a lighting strike to a tree. The homeowner is a travelling worker and no one called regarding the lighting strike. 2 days later the homeowner returns to feel heat in the house and wonders about n "oven fire" he observes when he hasn't cooked in days. The FD is called and finds a fire burning behind the stove on the paper facing of the drywall. The drywall is completely dehydrated and crumbles when touched and a smll pilot light-like flame is burning from the flexible connector hose. After more investigations it appears that a common occurrance is for pinholes to develop in flex hose after lighting strikes. The lighting appears to have followed pool plumbing back into the home and electrical damage is noted to the eaves, soffit, several electrical circuits, and the telephone system at the house and the junction box out at the road. This fire was found by the sheer luck of the timing of the homeowners return and gives us one more thing to inspect on a lighting strike call, stay safe everyone-John

Thanks for allowing me to join.I've been working with our Dept. Fire Marshall since 1996 he taught me alot enough that i enrolled into a fire science class and i'm doing very well

Hi, many thanks to accept my participation in this group.
I become Fire Marshal since May 2006 in the Peru Volunteer Fire Department (Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios del Perú).
We are the official Fire Service in all the Country and we make Fire Investigations for prevention and education, but we are in conflict with the Police Department because they make investigation for Criminal situations, and many times we have the answer in the arson fires and they don´t like it.
We continue learning and is great to have many friends to learn of them.
My best regards and stay safe.

Rodolfo,
I used to work for the Ky. State Fire Marshal's Office and we had a very similar relationship with the Ky. State Police. They were criminal investigation experts with little or no practical cause and origin experience or training. We were just the opposite.

Once everyone gets past their egos and insecurities you can form a symbiotic relationship that gets the job done, but someone has to be willing to admit their weaknesses, and there in lies the biggest problem.

hey all from australia hope that i can gain friends from this group

Hello fron Charleston south carolina.

Hello from Kippens Fire/Rescue.

Morning guys and gals. Looks like a well rounded group on this site. I've been in arson for 16 years and still learn something new just about every scene. Biggest problem has already been mentioned; ego issues between police and fire. I am a cop with the fire department and have NO patience for these ego problems and will tell any Police Chief or Sheriff that to their face without reservation. We need to get along and work together.

Morning everyone. We all have the same problem with "who's scene is this anyway?" People figure that once you've put water on it, your job is done, now get out of their way.... Wrong!!! We have a job to do, paperwork, questions & answers, collecting, etc. just like they do. My main concern is that no matter where you go, there is no easy way for firemen and women to do there job without some hostility from someone.
Just do your job and the ignorance won't matter. Stay Safe.

Luckily, our unit works directly with the Police Arson unit. So there is no ego's, attitudes, or questions. Although we work for different agencies, we both fall under the "fire investigations division" and report to the Fire Marshal. The Officer's job within our unit is to assist with the investigation and then if need be, secure warrants and maintain custody control.

Are their any other computer aided drawing programs other than the Google sketch up, I cannont load it on my computer at work.

As far as fire scene software drawings for investigations, you don't need 3D stuff. There are some more than adequate 2D software programs available and quite affordable, at your local electronics store (example: Best Buy). Walmart has even been known to carry a good software package that works very well.

Hey! Just joined in. Have been on the department for right at 21 years. Have been in origin and cause for about 8 years. Roy B

I too just joined in and have been in the fire service for 35 years with about 25 in fire prevention and investigation. We use CadZone for our plans but there are other drawing programs that are available at area computer stores that work.

Anybody in this group with the Savannah, Georgia, FD? I need to know what an 'Executive Order' is? Your City Council issued one that makes your arson unit a police department and I need to know and understand that process so more of us can get the same thing done. Thanks.

Hello Everyone,

I have been in the fire service for 15 years, with the last 3 being the Chief of my department. I am about to begin my "fire investigation" education this summber at Texas A&M. Hoping it turns out to be as fun and exciting as some of the stories I have heard...

Steven, fire investigation in Texas is quite different than in some other states. You'll get involved with a great bunch of people in your state and although at times you'll ask why you ever did, you will get lots of enjoyment from your 'new' career. Just remember to always be humble enough to ask for assistance....the day we stop learning is the day we need to find something else to do. Be safe.

I agree with Jeff, dwhen I say that Fire investigators are great people and they are willing to help at the drop of a hat.

Hello Jason from Abilene, Will be down there with you but on a project. If you need anything while you are there, I teach ventilation. (not too far from your props) If you want a quiet place to unwind, My husband and I stay at the rv park behind the fire field. Would love to have you by.

Hello people am new here. I try to learn something new with you