R0772 is the foundation of the fire investigation curriculum. This 10-day course utilizes National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations and NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator and other professional documents to address the technical and scientific knowledge and skills needed to conduct successful fire/arson investigations.
Using a combination of classroom instruction, activities, written assignments and group projects, students will demonstrate the ability to conduct science-based fire investigations that culminate, when appropriate, in prosecution for the crime of arson.
Outdoor activities will require students to have work clothes and boots and be capable of processing a fire scene (bending, kneeling and lifting up to 50 pounds).
This course uses a learning management system (LMS) for content delivery, assignments and examinations. A laptop or tablet is required to attend this course. This course will require pre-course work within the LMS prior to arrival on campus.
Successful completion of this course satisfies the training and education requirements for the International Association of Arson Investigators Fire Investigation Technician certification.
Pre-course materials and course syllabus
| Course Syllabus: | https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/ax/syll/syllabus_r0772.pdf PDF 471KB |
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The target audience is full-time public service personnel tasked with fire investigative duties. This is an entry-level course.
Applicants not employed full time in the fire investigation field may be eligible and must submit a detailed letter from the chief of the department attesting to their position, duties, and responsibilities as related to fire investigation and involvement with the prosecution of state arson laws, if any.
Incident Command System (ICS)-100-level and ICS-200-level training. Preferred courses are Q462 and Q463 available through NFA Online. Chief's signature on the application attests that the applicant has completed this required training.
Successful completion of the following 10 CFITrainer.net modules (transcript MUST be submitted with application):
- Fire Investigator Scene Safety
- The Scientific Method for Fire/Explosion Investigations
- Introduction to Evidence
- Documenting the Event
- Physical Evidence at the Fire Scene
- Introduction to Fire Dynamics and Modeling
- Investigating Fatal Fires
- Fundamentals of Residential Building Construction
- Search and Seizure
- Fire Protection Systems
Applicants must provide a copy of their CFITrainer.net transcript and all documentation to support the prerequisite requirements at the time of application. Documentation (certificates, transcripts, certifications and letters) must be clear, readable, concise, show hours required to meet thresholds and be attached to the application at time of submission.
Note: As a pre-course assignment, accepted students will be required to upload certificates of the above listed CFITrainer.net classes into the NFA’s LMS. For this pre-course assignment, the classes must have been taken or “refreshed” within a calendar year of the first day of class attendance. Certificates, dated within a calendar year of the start of class, must be uploaded to the LMS prior to arrival on campus.
Upcoming offerings
| Dates | Availability | Location | Contact(s) | CCP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 30, 2023 - November 10, 2023 | Full | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| January 15 - 26, 2024 | Full | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| February 5 - 16, 2024 | Full | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| March 18 - 29, 2024 | Full | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| April 15 - 26, 2024 | Apply between 12/15/2023 - 1/15/2024 | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| July 15 - 26, 2024 | Apply between 3/15/2024 - 4/15/2024 | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| August 12 - 23, 2024 | Apply between 3/15/2024 - 4/15/2024 | Emmitsburg, Maryland | ||
| September 16 - 27, 2024 | Apply between 3/15/2024 - 4/15/2024 | Emmitsburg, Maryland |