An official website of the United States government Here’s how you know Here’s how you know

Fire Investigation: Case Preparation and Testimony R0790

Future students: The Fire Investigation curriculum is changing. You can apply for this course, but due to new course development efforts, your acceptance notice may be delayed – perhaps as far out as 20 days before the start of the class. 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
6-day on-campus
Continuing education units
5.3
ACE recommendation
In the upper-division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in fire science.

This 6-day course is an intense, interactive, and realistic experience providing students with case development, case review, and the knowledge and skills to prepare to testify as an expert.

This course is offered in a blended format; students are assigned a cold case file and other activities two weeks prior to arrival with corresponding course work.  A laptop or tablet is required and copies of NFPA 921 and 1033 are required to attend this course.

NOTE: Students who fail to complete the pre-arrival, distance learning activities will be removed from the residence portion of the course and forfeit stipend reimbursement.

This course is designed to prepare individuals to present a case in a courtroom setting; appropriate courtroom attire is required.

Successful completion of this course satisfies the requirements of the International Association of Arson Investigators for Expert Testimony. This course expands upon concepts presented in Fire Investigation: Essentials (R0772).

Student pre-course materials and course syllabus:

https://nfa.usfa.fema.gov/ax/syll/syllabus_r0790.pdf PDF 761KB
Course Syllabus

Selection criteria

The target audience is full-time public service personnel tasked with fire investigative duties.

Priority will be reserved for students who have successfully completed the NFA's Fire Investigation: Essentials (R0772 or R0206).

Applicants who are not employed full time in the fire investigation field may be eligible.  Applicants 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, including responsibilities to testify in court.

Prerequisites

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.

Applicants must meet ONE
of the following SECTIONS:
Successful completion of National Fire Academy’s
"Fire Investigations: Essentials" (R0772) or completion of “Fire
Investigation: Essentials” (R0206).



Additionally, successful
completion (above 80%) of any fire investigation training which totals 40
hours.  (NFA courses R0204, R0205,
R0206, R0214, R0255, may be counted toward this requirement.)



OR



Successful
completion (above 80%, 3.0 or B) of ANY fire investigation specific training
which totals 120 hours.  Applicants
must provide documentation (certificates) to reach the 120-hour level.  (CFI Trainers do not count toward this
requirement.  State CFI/FIT designations
are acceptable, IF student provides supporting documentation showing contact
hours that equal 120 hours.

AND

Successful
completion of the following CFI Trainer modules (transcript MUST be submitted with application):

- Ethics and the Fire Investigator

- Magnetek:  A Case Study in the Daubert
Challenge

- Fundamentals of Interviewing

- Effective Investigation and Testimony

- Critical Thinking Solves Cases

Applicants
must provide a copy of their CFITrainer.Net transcript and all documentation
to support the pre-requisite 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.

Post-course requirements

None

Upcoming offerings

Dates Availability Location Contact(s) CCP Train-the-Trainer?
May 9 - 14, 2021 Cancelled Emmitsburg, Maryland
July 25 - 30, 2021 Full Emmitsburg, Maryland
Apply August 1 - 6, 2021 Vacancies Emmitsburg, Maryland
August 22 - 27, 2021 Cancelled Emmitsburg, Maryland
October 17 - 22, 2021 Apply on 4/15/2021 - 6/15/2021 Emmitsburg, Maryland
December 12 - 17, 2021 Apply on 4/15/2021 - 6/15/2021 Emmitsburg, Maryland
January 16 - 21, 2022 Apply on 4/15/2021 - 6/15/2021 Emmitsburg, Maryland
May 22 - 27, 2022 Apply on 10/15/2021 - 12/15/2021 Emmitsburg, Maryland