Summer

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1 Summer President s Perspective By Greg Gurney, IAAI-CFI, CPCU I hope everyone is having a great summer! We have a lot going on at the Chapter. The Northern Zone and Southern Zone conferences were very well received. The South Suburban Task Force and Central Illinois Fire Investigators Association conferences also provided excellent training and continuing education. We are also sponsoring through the International a training conference on Vehicle Fires and Photography. Please contact Tom Wegner or Chris Ward with any questions, requests for more information, or ideas for future conferences. The Illinois Chapter had a respectable turn out at the IAAI meeting in Orlando, FL. The Rosen Centre, Hotel Conference Center was a great facility, close to all the major attractions. The International Training Conference (ITC) will be there again in The International Association puts on a great conference and I highly encourage you to attend. Next year s will be held in Las Vegas, NV. Congratulations again to Roger Krupp on his term as IAAI President. Roger is the latest IL Chapter member to become president of the International. The Chapter is proud of his continuing service. Our annual meeting is set for September, and if you have not yet done so, check out our website ( for a full flyer. You can register several ways this year. 1. You will find registration information in this newsletter. 2. You can print the flyer from the website, complete the registration and mail. 3. There is also an online registration form available on the website; simply complete the information and back to us. You can use your credit card and be registered quickly and easily. An important note about this year s elections: At our September annual conference and meeting there will be one director position open in each Zone. Please remember you must be an International Member and a Chapter Member to vote. If you have any questions about your membership statuses please contact John High or me. It is your responsibility to vote, so do not let confusion over your membership get in the way. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in Champaign in September. Until then BE FIRE SMARTand STAY SAFE. Board meeting goes Hi-Tech! The Investigator Page 1

2 NORTHERN ZONE REPORT Northern Zone Director Guy Maisonneuve Can you believe 2013 is half over? The Training and Education Committee has done a fantastic job providing you with the training you have requested. With the completion of the Northern and Southern Zone Conferences, the committee will be focused on the 2013 Annual Training Conference in Champaign Illinois. This year s conference will be September 9th through the 13th. Once all the details have been worked out, registration forms will be mailed. Please check the Web Site for details. I also want to thank Chris Ward for his hard work on bringing the IAAI Evidence Technician certification to Orland Park. This one day class was a great success. With that being said-chris has also been working on bringing you the IAAI Investigating Car Fire class. This class will be held August 7th in Orland Park. Please check the IAAI s web site for complete details. If you like to golf or just like hanging out with Steve Hoyle, this year the Terrence Hoyle Memorial Golf Open will be held August 29th. For more information, see the chapter s web site. Remember to be safe during your investigations and see you in September. CENTRAL ZONE REPORT Central Zone Director John Knapp, C.F.I. Greetings from the Central Zone. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. The past few months have been busy with training opportunities throughout the state which I hope you have had the opportunity to attend. Scheduled for August 7 there will be a Vehicle Fire Investigation Class in Orland Park. Please check the chapter website at for further details of that training or other available training. Please mark your calendar for the Central Illinois Fire Investigator s Association conference which will be held at the Stoney Creek Inn in East Peoria on March 21, 22, & Discussions for another top-notch lineup of instructors are underway by the board so please put the dates on your calendar and plan to attend. As you can t miss in each issue of this newsletter there are numerous opportunities throughout the state (and country) for continuing education. Whether or not you choose to attend the Illinois Chapter sponsored seminar or seminars which are held in the Northern, Central, or Southern Zones, I suggest that you try to plan ahead to attend at least one or two. Not only will you find that the instruction is more that what would meet expectations but you will discover that the networking possibilities and information sharing with other agencies will be as advantageous. Last but not least, I suggest you visit CFItrainer.net as a wealth of information available to you. I hope to see you at the Illinois Chapter Annual Seminar in Champaign in September. Until next time, be safe! The Investigator Page 2 SOUTHERN ZONE Southern Zone Director Cory Reeves Think about it; Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for in order to get to the job - you need - to pay for the clothes, the car, and the house you leave vacant all day, so you can afford to live in it. -Ellen Goodman I think reading a quote sometimes helps us get our minds in good thinking order before we try to absorb what else we may read or hear. It also gives us some perspective to move forward with. That all being written and read, the Southern Zone of the Illinois Chapter of the IAAI would like to report to you that a very successful seminar was held in Fairview Heights, Illinois on April 25 and 26 with 88 registered attendees. We are also happy to report that the seminar was financially sound. The speakers were very good and the day and a half format was well received. We would like to again thank all of our conference sponsors who help make sure the quality of the training program and seminar reaches its potential. On the conference note, Curt, Mike and I, as Southern Zone Directors, would like to thank the entire committee and other chapter volunteers that worked very hard to make the Buxton/Mazzone Training Conference so great. A special thanks and appreciation also is extended to the two team members that really are the bedrock that we all build upon, Amy Beasley and Rachael Conover (Moreno). Their contributions to our success are immeasurable. You may have noticed a name change for Rachael, very recently she was married and now is Mrs. Rachael Conover; CONGRATULATIONS to her! Looking forward, we are currently re-grouping and hope to have a committee meeting set up for next year before we descend upon Champaign, IL in September for the Annual Chapter Seminar and Meeting. We three from Down Under I -70 are always open to fresh and new ideas for the training and conference so let us know if you have any ideas or thoughts to share with us. If you have not yet read the April 2013 Fire and Arson Investigator please make sure to do so or go the IAAI web site for the new proposals and changes for the IAAI-CFI program. The fee structure is changing, the training credit section is changing; in example all training submitted for credit must be tested training. The expert testimony requirements are changing, the recertification time frame is changing from five (5) to three (3) years, and the minimum points required in training is changing from a minimum of twenty (20) with a maximum of 90 to a minimum of fifty (50) with a maximum of one hundred (100). If you are a IAAI-CFI or working toward becoming one you should become familiar with the changes. Also, don t forget the next additions of NFPA 1033 and 921 are on their way early next year so put them in your budget. They are very important for you as a Fire Investigator and should not be considered optional. In closing, remember what John F Kennedy once said Change is the law of life. Those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

3 International Updates By Joe Mazzone The IAAI will have a booth at the fire chiefs conference at McCormick Place in August. Maybe we ll see you there INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CONFERENCE SAVE THE DATES - The 2013 ITC will be held at the Rio in Las Vegas April A little earlier than usual, but we have to work around the availability of the hotels. Our chapter is always very well represented at these cutting-edge training seminars. Note that the Chapter cannot sanction any local training that conflicts with these dates. MEMBERSHIP AND CERTIFICATIONS The IAAI has 7,440 current members, plus more than 700 who are delinquent on their dues. We hope to hear from them very soon. There are 1,997 IAAI Certified Fire Investigators. Our Chapter is very proud to have authored this program circa The Illinois CFI Program was adopted almost verbatim by the International a few years later. The IAAI has awarded 675 Fire Investigation Technician certifications, 63 Evidence Collection Technician certifications and 55 Certified Instructors. Everyone should take advantage of these important resources. FIRE INVESTIGATOR TECHNICIAN The Fire Investigator Technician certification is a valuable tool for fire investigators which shows that an individual has achieved a recognized level of training. It is a step towards the IAAI-CFI designation. To encourage new members, the International has instituted a program that offers IAAI membership and an application for the FIT program for $150. If you are not a member of the International, now would be a good time to take advantage of these discounts. CFITRAINER.NET We are happy to announce that the federal grant that funds the CFITRAINER program has been renewed for another year. Visit the site and see what s new. This Internet training is top notch and covers many timely and necessary topics for fire investigators, and it s still free. NEWS FROM OSFM By Chris Valentine Illinois State Fire Marshal/Arson Division Greetings from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Division of Arson. I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. We are gearing up for the State Fair and will have two K-9 demonstrations Aug. 12th & 13th. That being said we had two canines retire last month. Canine Yancy and canine Onyx retired after several years of service. I would like to thank Yancy and Onyx for their service and wish them the best of luck in retirement. Their handlers were Kevin Smith and Greg Vespa. We are in the process of replacing the canines. As many of you know, arson fires account for a large percentage of all fires. Over 200,000 fires are intentionally set each year with matches and lighters as the leading heat source of these fires. Keep all matches and lighters out of reach and out of sight of young children. Please remember to store all flammable liquids such as paints, gasoline and equipment like mowers in locked cabinets, storage units or garages. And remember to keep all flammable material away from heat sources like furnaces and heaters. Report any suspicious activity to your local police dept. If you know or suspect that an arson has been committed, contact your local police or fire dept. or contact the Arson Hotline at That s it for now. Enjoy the rest of the summer and as always, be safe. ENHANCED CHAPTER PROGRAM The Illinois Chapter is one of nine chapters that have joined the Enhanced Chapter Program, a partnership with the international for membership and billing. It might take a year or so to work out the kinks and get the billing dates in sync, but in the long run the program will prove highly beneficial to the Chapter and the IAAI especially in decreasing the workload for our Secretary-Treasurer. Bear with us. There are approximately 70 chapters, including most of the states, Canadian provinces and other countries around the globe. The IAAI Board of Directors has been discussing translating some of our programs into Spanish and other languages. IAAI The International does have a lot of irons in the fire including NFPA committees, strategic partnerships, legislative liaisons, participation in the Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations and the Congressional Fire Service Caucus, just to name a few. FIREWORKS Past President Jerry Naylis is our representative at the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks. Statistics published in NFPA s 2012 Fireworks Report show that in 2010 there were more than 15,500 fireworks related fires, which caused eight civilian deaths, 60 injuries and an estimated $36 million in direct property damage. The report is available at Other organizations involved in the Alliance include USFA, IAFC, NVFF, IAFF and NFPA. The Investigator Page 3

4 Fire and Arson Investigation Training for Illinois By Eddie Bain If you re an OSFM Certified Fire & Arson Investigator in Illinois chances are you received your initial training from the Illinois Fire Service Institute. The three 40-hour classes (the Modules) have been delivered throughout the state for many years addressing standards of the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the National Fire Protection Association. As the IFSI Program Director for the investigation program I strive to provide education and training classes that provide the initial training needs of the modern investigation professional. To support these training needs I focus on three areas that have proven to provide quality support for the IFSI classes. Curriculum: The curriculum presently used for the classes is founded in the text published by Jones & Bartlett, Fire Investigator Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033 Third Edition. This text was originally published as a guide to NFPA 921. Since 921 is also a foundational document used by the program and fire investigators around the world a guide to its use and understanding has always been helpful. The third edition of the text is written in a text book style that provides a learning structure based on each of the chapters in 921. The curriculum has proven to be somewhat of a moving target. As published materials, research, case law and experience constantly develop, the curriculum to deliver the needed education must also continually be developed. Availability: The full three week fire investigation program is usually offered four or five times a year across the state. The standard schedule follows a Monday through Friday format but in recent years a weekend schedule has been developed. The weekend schedule has been well received giving more students an opportunity to participate in the classes. A local fire department serves as host for the program and is then able to more directly participate in the classes. I depend on and very much appreciate agencies that host the program. It s no small endeavor to host the series and provide the needed class support. The program has been offered in many areas of Illinois at agencies large and small. I make an effort to move the classes throughout the state as a continued effort to make them available. The IFSI web site (www. fsi.illinois.edu) lists all the Investigation classes scheduled at any given time. Classes for the next calendar year are listed on the site in November. Course locations, descriptions, schedules and other details are also listed. Instructors: IFSI Field Staff Instructors serve as the backbone of the investigation program. Instructors come from the public and private sectors within the fire service and law enforcement areas. IFSI instructors follow a designated package of educational material for the program but also bring significant variety of investigation experience to the classroom. The IFSI Field Staff Instructors who teach in the investigation program are some of the most dedicated teaching staff I ve had the privilege to work with. They bring a tremendous level of skill and professionalism to each class. Students in the program routinely recognize the opportunity they have to learn from such a high quality instructional staff. The insurance industry, notably State Farm Insurance Company, provides financial and instructional staff support for the IFSI program. They represent an important partnership between IFSI The Investigator Page 4 and the insurance industry. This partnership brings an important level of support to the program that not only allows for the continued delivery of classes but also encourages the overall mission of the Institute. The complexities of the fire and arson investigation profession also require investigators to pursue a plan of continuing education and training. Beyond the initial training at IFSI are a variety of classes, seminars and conferences available to fire investigators. The Illinois Chapter of the IAAI, along with other state associations, offers training conferences throughout the state. The International Association of Arson Investigators also provides numerous classes and on line training opportunities. Training Dates Please find listed below a list of upcoming IL-Chapter of the IAAI as well as other upcoming training in the State. Check the IAAI website for further details Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators2013 Training Calendar IAAI Vehicle Fire Class- Orland Park, IL August 8, 2013 Check IAAI website for further details IAAI Fire Photography Class-Belleville, IL November 5, 2013 Illinois Fire Service Institute Fire Investigation Series: Northlake FPD Module 1 August Module 2 August Module 3 September 9 13 Bismarck FPD Weekends Module 2 August 9, 10 & 11 August 23, 24 & 25 Module 3 Sept. 6, 7 & 8 Sept. 20, 21 & 22 A+ Automotive Career Counselor s Inc. Phil Arendt Vehicle Fire & Component Failure Investigations PO Box 548 Cary, IL Phone: ( * Fax: (847) Hoyle and Associates, Inc. Fire & Explosion Consultants 791 Fairway Drive Bensenville, IL Phone: (630) Fax: (630)

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7 Buxton/Mazzone Training Conference Snapshots... The Investigator Page 7

8 The following article was originally printed in the May/June edition of the CPCU Society News Continued on page 9... Anderson Engineering of New Prague, Inc. 312 Roma Jean Pkwy Streamwood, IL Phone: (630) * Fax: (630) Toll Free: (800) info@aenpi.com * FireTech, Inc. Fire and Explosion Investigations P.O. Box 2868 East Peoria, IL Office: Fax: The Investigator Page 8

9 WEBSTER MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Providing the Fire Investigator with technical support on: Fuel Gas Explosions HVAC Equipment Gas Fired Equipment Solid Fuel (wood and coal) Fired Equipment Commercial Cooking Equipment Hood/Grease Duct/Fire Suppression Systems Phone: C. Roberts Consulting & Engineers, Inc Brush Grove Rd. PO Box 118, Rochelle, IL PH: (877) Toll Free; (815) Direct. Explosion Analysis Vehicle, Agricultural & Heavy Equipment Fires Electrical & Mechanical Fires Engineering Investigations Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois and other states. The Investigator Page 9

10 Pyr-Tech, Inc. Fire & Fraud Investigations 843 St. Louis Rd. Collinsville, IL Phone: (618) * Phone: (314) Phone: (800) * Fax: (618) * officestaff@pyrtech.com. Midwest Fire Consulting Group Michael Lanxon, IAAI-CFI Curt Graff, IAAI-CFI P.O. Box 1096 Murphysboro, IL Phone: (618) * Fax: (618) midwest@midwest-fire.com The Investigator Page 10

11 Illinois Chapter Officers Central Illinois Fire Investigators Association Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of even months Annual March Training Conference Scholarships For a Sponsor Block Contact Dan Dellischgo@aol.com Ad space is $ per year - 4 issues Show Your Support! IAAI Merchandise may be purchased by ing Mike Dilley at Dilley9@juno.com The Investigator is the official publication of the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. This newsletter is published quarterly and is solely an educational and advisory aid to fire departments, police departments, fire investigators, state police departments, sheriff s departments, insurance personnel and individuals working to investigate, prosecute, and suppress the crime of arson. Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official opinion of the IAAI or the Illinois Chapter. Newsletter Deadlines: Winter - January 15 * Spring - April 15 Summer - July 15 * Fall - October 15 PRESIDENT Greg Gurney PO Box Chicago, IL Phone siuman65@gmail.com VICE-PRESIDENT Thomas Wegner PO Box Chicago, IL Phone (708) Fax (708) SECRETARY\ TREASURER Dan Ellis P.O. Box Chicago, IL Dellischgo@aol.com LEGAL COUNSEL John C. Cassidy Sudekum, Cassidy & Shulruff, Chtd. 20 North Clark Street Suite 1400 Chicago, Illinois (312) NEWSLETTER Sheryl Drost Firefoto4@aol.com (815) Greg Gurney siuman65@gmail.com John Knapp NORTHERN ZONE Guy Maisonneuve Kankakee Fire Department 383 E. Oak Street Kankakee, IL Term expires Sept Pat Kane Wauconda Fire District 109 W Liberty Wauconda, Il Term expires Sept ChrisWard S. Donegal Drive Manhattan, Il Term expires Sept CENTRAL ZONE Eddie Bain Illinois Fire Service Institute 11 Gerty Drive Champaign, Il Term expires Sept John High S. Markley Rd Danville, IL (217) Term expires Sept John Knapp, C.F.I. Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal East Peoria Fire Department 201 W. Washington St. East Peoria, IL Office: Cell: Fax: Term expires Sept SOUTHERN ZONE Curt Graff IAAI-CFI PO Box 1096 Murphysboro, IL (618) Term expires Sept Cory Reeves PO Belleville, Il Term expires Sept Mike Presson Pyt-Tech, Inc. 843 St. Louis Road Collinsville, IL mpresson@pyrtech.com Term expires Sept The Investigator Page 11

12 Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Rockford, IL Permit No. 781 IAAI - Illinois Chapter P.O. Box Chicago, IL Kenmore Dehumidifier Recall Hazard: The dehumidifiers can overheat, smoke, melt and catch on fire, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers. This recall involves Kenmore brand 35-, 50- and 70-pint dehumidifiers made by LG and manufactured between 2003 and The dehumidifiers are made of white plastic and are between 21 and 24 inches tall, about 15 inches wide and about 13.5 inches deep. They have a fan, humidity controls and a Kenmore logo on their top front panels. They come with front-loading water buckets. Some models include remote controls. The model number can be found on the right side of the interior of the unit once the bucket has been removed. Recalled units have the following model numbers: 35-pint (2004) pint (2003) pint (2003) pint (2004) pint (2005) Incidents/Injuries: Sears has received seven additional incident reports of shorting and fire associated with the dehumidifiers, including one incident with a severe burn to a consumer s foot and three fires resulting in more than $300,000 of property damage. Remedy: Consumers should immediately turn off and unplug the dehumidifiers and contact the Recall Fulfillment Center to receive a Sears gift card for either $75, $80, $90 or $100, which may be used at any Sears or Kmart store or at Sears.com or Kmart.com. LG Recall Fulfillment Center, toll-free at (855) The Investigator Page 12