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CCAI October 21-24

Fire Investigation Training Seminar

 

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From Out of the Abyss...

This week’s article from the past is titled Incendiary Fires Can Be Spotted and was written by Benjamin Horton, CPCU, who was President of the National Adjuster Traing School in Louisville, Kentucky..  It is taken from the Decembe 1968 Vol. XVI No.5 issue.

Incendiary Fires Can Be Spotted 

In the new issue of NFPA Journal®, President Jim Shannon said the Association will focus on the leading causes of home fires, including cooking. "We also need to continue to push hard for home fire sprinklers. That's still a large priority for NFPA, and we plan to work very aggressively in 2014 on our residential sprinkler initiative," he said.

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From the Danish Journal of Archaeology

Abstract

During excavations of the Viking-age ring fortress Borgring, Denmark, traces of a devastating fire was uncovered. The National Forensic Services of the Danish Police were invited to participate in a novel collaboration, applying contemporary forensic fire investigation to an archaeological site. This paper presents the results and sets a benchmark for future applications. The investigation leads to a revised reconstruction of the fortress and the development of the fire. The application of fire investigation methods, following the Daubert standard criteria, enhance the documentation and analysis of archaeological sites, while archaeological methods show significant potential at modern fire scenes.

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BY VYTO BABRAUSKAS

SHOCK, INJURY, OR DEATH {ELECTROCUTION) from the passage of electric current through a human body has been studied for more than a century. The level of response or injury depends on the magnitude of the current and also on the frequency, whether it is direct current (DC), power line alternating current (AC), or AC voltages of higher frequency. Some typical values are shown in Table 1.1 Children are generally more sensitive than adults; thus, guidelines often assume that a child is the person to be protected. With firefighting, however, this assumption is not reasonable. Furthermore, protection against a startle reaction is the most severe level of protection. A startle reaction is described as one in which a person jumps because of a small shock that does not injure the person. No direct electrical injury occurs because of startling; there is some hazard caused by jumping, but it is remote.

The "inability to let go" of an energized conductor that has been accidentally grabbed can cause pain and injury if the current increases to an injurious level. This is also called "muscle tetanization." Thus. Many safety requirements are based on a safety-factor-reduced value of the let-go current, even though this is quite a conservative stance. Matters are further complicated. Since individuals show variation in their responses and standards, bodies typically pick a very conservative level (often the 0.5 percentile) instead of the 50-percentile value. Physiological effects of electric current, furthermore, depend strongly on frequency. The most dangerous frequencies are the 50- or 60-Herz (Hz) power line frequencies. The human body becomes less sensitive to electric current at high frequencies.2 Dalziel3 has published a useful summary of safety guidance on electric shock.

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About the Speakers Bureau

 

California Conference of Arson Investigators
Speakers Bureau
The California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) Speakers Bureau was created to mirror the Speakers Bureau of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). It exists to allow CCAI, CCAI Roundtables, and our member agencies to have resources from which to draw when looking for subject matter experts who teach classes in various topics associated with the fire investigation industry.
Speakers/Instructors on this list have been suggested by CCAI through the same checks and balances used by the IAAI. The intent is to ensure that the Speaker/Instructor is qualified to speak according to his/her particular subject, and possesses a speaking style which is entertaining and relevant. Inclusion on the CCAI Speakers Bureau list is voluntary on the part of the Speaker/Instructor. Speakers/Instructors must provide CCAI items to ensure their qualifications support inclusion on the CCAI Speakers Bureau roster. Speakers/instructors are encouraged to be CCAI members, but it is not required, Those speakers/instructors that are CCAI members must be members in good standing. These qualifications include, but are not limited to:The Speaker/Instructor must: 1) have presented classes to CCAI or CCAI Roundtables within the past three years; 2) provide references from CCAI or Roundtables indicating that their subject was relevant, current to the industry standards, and he/she was generally accepted as a good and entertaining speaker, when requested; 3) provide a list of required items to be made available to the organization (i.e.: AV needs, Bio, Digital picture, Abstract summary of presentation, Test questions, Materials for reproduction (handouts, etc.)).
Speakers/Instructors approved for the list shall be posted on the CCAI web page and be provided to organizations on request. The list of speakers will be categorized by subject matter with a link/chart that lists the approved speaker for that particular subject matter and contact information for the Speaker/Instructor. The CCAI Speakers Bureau is merely a referral resource. The interested Organization/Roundtable is responsible for checking the references provided by the Speaker/Instructor. CCAI shall be held harmless in the event a Speaker/Instructor fails to appear for a scheduled appearance or does not perform to the Organizations/Roundtables satisfaction. Speakers/Instructors shall be required to present verification to CCAI of classes taught within a three-year period from the date of placement on the CCAI Speakers Bureau list and every three years therein to remain active on the list.
Example
CCAI Speakers Bureau
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Investigating Fatal Fires
Course Description: This class is designed to teach homicide detectives, public fire investigators, and coroner’s investigators to understand and respect each other’s responsibilities. Using NFPA 921, NFPA 1033, photos, videos, and case studies, investigators will learn to work together towards the successful completion of their fire related death/homicide investigations. Instructors: Eric Emmanuele and Jeremy Davis
Presentation: 1 day
Home Base: Santa Clara County Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 408-309-1056
California Conference of Arson Investigators
Speakers Bureau

 

The California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) Speakers Bureau was created to mirror the Speakers Bureau of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). It exists to allow CCAI, CCAI Roundtables, and our member agencies to have resources from which to draw when looking for subject matter experts who teach classes in various topics associated with the fire investigation industry.

Speakers/Instructors on this list have been suggested by CCAI through the same checks and balances used by the IAAI. The intent is to ensure that the Speaker/Instructor is qualified to speak according to his/her particular subject, and possesses a speaking style which is engaging and relevant. Inclusion on the CCAI Speakers Bureau list is voluntary on the part of the Speaker/Instructor. Speakers/Instructors must provide CCAI items to ensure their qualifications support inclusion on the CCAI Speakers Bureau roster. Speakers/instructors are encouraged to be CCAI members, but it is not required, Those speakers/instructors that are CCAI members must be members in good standing. These qualifications include, but are not limited to:

The Speaker/Instructor must:

  • have presented classes to CCAI or CCAI Roundtables within the past three years;
  • provide references from CCAI or Roundtables indicating that their subject was relevant, current to the industry standards, and that he/she was accepted as a knowlegeable and engaging speaker;
  • provide a list of required items to be made available to the organization (i.e.: AV needs, Bio, Digital picture, Abstract summary of presentation, Test questions, Materials for reproduction (handouts, etc.)).

 

Speakers/Instructors approved for the list shall be posted on the CCAI web page and be provided to organizations on request. The list of speakers will be categorized by subject matter with a link/chart that lists the approved speaker for that particular subject matter and contact information for the Speaker/Instructor. The CCAI Speakers Bureau is merely a referral resource. The interested Organization/Roundtable is responsible for checking the references provided by the Speaker/Instructor. CCAI shall be held harmless in the event a Speaker/Instructor fails to appear for a scheduled appearance or does not perform to the Organization's/Roundtable's satisfaction. Speakers/Instructors shall be required to present verification to CCAI of classes taught within a three-year period from the date of placement on the CCAI Speakers Bureau list and every three years therein to remain active on the list.

Example

CCAI Speakers Bureau
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Investigating Fatal Fires

Course Description: This class is designed to teach homicide detectives, public fire investigators, and coroner’s investigators to understand and respect each other’s responsibilities. Using NFPA 921, NFPA 1033, photos, videos, and case studies, investigators will learn to work together towards the successful completion of their fire related death/homicide investigations.

Instructors: Eric Emmanuele and Jeremy Davis
Presentation: 1 day
Home Base: Santa Clara County
Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 408-309-1056
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Location

1279 North White Avenue
Pomona, California 91768
Phone:  (909) 865-5004
Fax (909) 865-5024
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

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This is the official website of the California Conference of Arson Investigators.

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