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Fire Investigation: Essentials R0772

Future students: The Fire Investigation curriculum is changing. Please review the (revised) course prerequisites on this page to make sure that you are qualified to apply for this course.
Curriculum: Fire Investigation
Training Specialist

Keith Heckler
301-447-1380

Delivery type
10-day on-campus
Continuing education units
6.7
ACE recommendation
There is not an American Council on Education credit recommendation for this course.

This 10-day course is the foundation of the fire investigation curriculum. R0772 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 addresses 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).

Successful completion of this course satisfies the training and education requirements for the International Association of Arson Investigators Fire Investigation Technician (FIT) certification.

Student pre-course materials and course syllabus:

https://nfa.usfa.fema.gov/ax/syll/syllabus_r0772.pdf PDF 471KB
Course Syllabus

Selection criteria

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.

Prerequisites

  • ICS 100 level and ICS 200 level training. Preferred courses are Q462 and Q463 available through NFA Online. Chief's signature attests that the applicant has completed required training.
  • Successful completion of the following (9) recommended CFI Trainer modules. 
    -  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

Applicants must provide a copy of their CFITrainer.Net transcript and documentation to support the pre-requisite requirements at the time of application.  Documentation (certificates, transcripts, certifications, and letters) must be clear, readable, concise, and attached to the application at time of submission.

This course uses the learning management system (Desire to Learn, D2L) for content delivery, assignments, and examinations, a laptop or tablet is required to attend this course. This course will require pre-course work within D2L, prior to arrival on campus.

Post-course requirements

Upcoming offerings

Dates Availability Location Contact(s) CCP Train-the-Trainer?
February 1 - 12, 2021 Cancelled Emmitsburg, Maryland
March 15 - 26, 2021 Application period closed Emmitsburg, Maryland
Apply April 12 - 23, 2021 Full Emmitsburg, Maryland
Apply June 21, 2021 - July 2, 2021 Full Emmitsburg, Maryland
August 2 - 13, 2021 Full Emmitsburg, Maryland
August 23, 2021 - September 3, 2021 Cancelled Emmitsburg, Maryland
September 20, 2021 - October 1, 2021 Full Emmitsburg, Maryland