Training & Courses

Our classes are designed to provide the student with the technical competencies required to conduct fire origin and cause investigations. We go one step further ensuring our students are competent in those skills before they complete a program of study.

Currently, much of the fire investigation training offered around the world is classroom-based or virtual training solely focused on knowledge. This sole focus on knowledge is failing to prepare the investigators to attain the necessary skills to perform the tasks of an investigator. FFAI will offer both virtual and hands-on, teacher-supervised training in the latest forensic and fire investigation techniques. Training offered through FFAI will include both a substantial practical component as well as a theoretical component to ensure the attendees are competent and proficient in the skills being taught.

The FFAI Board Certification Programs offer the next step for the professional investigator to document their knowledge through competency and proficiency testing to achieve board certification in the competency areas found in NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators. Completion of the FFAI board certification process demonstrates the investigator has met one or more of the individual competencies as assessed by an independent peer-reviewed organization.

Best parts were live burns, live demonstrations of electrical failures, analysis of fire origin at burn cells, and creation of circuits.

Seminar: Forensic Fire Analysis Institute and Detroit Fire Department Fire Investigation Division – Advanced Fire Investigation Training
May 16-20, 2022

Location: Wayne County Community College
Downriver Campus
21000 Northline Road Taylor, MI

Participants will choose two of the following courses:
• Techniques for Origin Determination – Participants will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of fire science, laboratory examinations, and how to apply this knowledge to assess possible ignition mechanisms and failures. The candidate’s knowledge of ignition sequence concepts will be tested with a focus on competencies of the heat source in the context of the first fuel ignited.
• Fundamentals of Scene Documentation – Topics will include photography, diagramming, and note-taking. Participants will demonstrate a working knowledge of traditional and newer tools and technology in documenting a fire and explosion scene.
• Electricity and Electrical Systems – The class combines electrical theory with practical skills related to the analysis of 120/240- Volt electrical systems encountered in typical residential and commercial structures. Participants will be able to explain and describe how electrical systems are installed and set up for residential systems as well as demonstrate how to document and analyze electrical systems and potential failures with standard equipment and tools.

Registration Fee: $750. Courses will be instructed by subject matter experts and industry professionals from the Forensic Fire Analysis Institute including: Nicole Brewer, Ryan Cox, Greg Gorbett, William Hicks, Kyle Higgins, Thomas Sing, Stuart Sklar, Bryan Winnigham, and Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Instructors from the Detroit Fire Department.

For Michigan Law Enforcement Officers and Michigan Professional Firefighters, this course is MCOLES and MFFTC Q-Course registered.

Being able to apply theory, written descriptions and illustrations to actual burns was great; just what I’ve been needing to do to improve. The balance between classroom and hands-on was excellent.

Registration is handled through the Detroit Public Safety Foundation, when clicking the REGISTER button above you will be redirected to their website – if you have any trouble with the link, please copy/paste https://www.detroitpublicsafety.org/detroit-arson-training and select their online registration form.

Coming Soon