TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE, HIGH QUALITY TRAINING OFFERED BY THIS YEAR'S 2010 OHIO ARSON SCHOOL
56TH ANNUAL OHIO ARSON SCHOOL
August 2-6, 2010
Crowne Plaza North, 6500 Doubletree Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Scholarships and college credits are available
For more information contact Laura Bernans @ 614-787-1275
ohioarsonschool@gmail.com
www.ohioarsonschool.org
John Bernans, Director - 740-272-1877
OHIO CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETING (please note time change)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 @ 6 p.m.
Pizza will be served during the meeting.
Reminder: Review By-Law's - will be voted on at this meeting.
Scott Bennett, IAAI, CFI
Ohio Chapter President
Fire Investigations Services
ScottBennett@FireInv.Com
937-414-0274
Brian Peterman, IAAI, CFI
Ohio Chapter First Vice President
Keith Loreno, IAAI, CFI
Ohio Chapter Second Vice President
Officer Nomination Form
International
Dear Member:
I just wanted to take a few moments and update you on a few significant changes taking place at the IAAI and to comment on a recent article in the Fire & Arson Investigator.
At the request of the property management, the IAAI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will be vacating the office space we currently jointly occupy. This move was required as result of an adjacent tenant requesting additional space and the landlord agreeing to facilitate this. The property management has been very accommodating in locating us acceptable space, and we have secured a location within the same office park. This new location will afford us a more workable, employee-friendly space and allow us to consolidate our external storage to on-site locations. This new lease will not result in any increased expense to the IAAI, and the move expenses will be deducted from our first month’s rent. The NFFF are looking at adjoining space in the same building and we are hopeful that they will become our neighbors.
To facilitate this relocation, our offices will be closed August 27-31, 2010, so they can pack, move and reconnect the server and phones and set up the new offices. Our telephone and e-mail contact information will remain unchanged and mail will be forwarded to our new office site. We will update the address info in the weeks to come.
Our interim Executive Director, A.J. Wilson, has submitted his resignation. We must remember that it was never our intention (or his) that he would be here long term. We were about halfway through a three-year contract which either side could end with 90-days notice. He wanted to work with us to the point where we had achieved “a stable and sustainable organization.” He believes we have achieved that goal and we agree. His last day of service will be October 15, 2010. We are grateful for his service.
I hope you have received your July issue of the Fire and Arson Investigator magazine. I, like many others, was troubled when I read Carter Robert’s article “The Case of the Dog, Two Negative Samples, and the Arrest of Dr. Stuart Wallace” about accelerant detection canines. This editorial opinion article clearly does not represent the opinions and values of the International Association of Arson Investigators, or the fire investigation community/industry in general, as it relates to the appropriate use of accelerant detection canines. The use of accelerant detection canines has proven to be a valuable asset when utilized appropriately during the course of a fire investigation. Those agencies and organizations that are involved in the use of, training and support of canine programs have come under unfair attack by Mr. Roberts. These organizations have clearly established policies and protocols regarding the use of canines that have been accepted by the fire investigation community, and existing guidelines published in NFPA 921 regarding the appropriate use of canines clearly indicate that “positive” canine hits not backed up by laboratory confirmation should not be considered to be valid.
It is unfortunate that our journal served as a conduit for the distribution of this article. While we certainly respect the right of Mr. Roberts to voice his thoughts and opinions, this article must be viewed clearly for what it is – an opinion based article. The Executive Officers and Directors of the IAAI do not share Mr. Roberts’ opinion.
David B. Nichols, President
I just wanted to take a few moments and update you on a few significant changes taking place at the IAAI and to comment on a recent article in the Fire & Arson Investigator.
At the request of the property management, the IAAI and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will be vacating the office space we currently jointly occupy. This move was required as result of an adjacent tenant requesting additional space and the landlord agreeing to facilitate this. The property management has been very accommodating in locating us acceptable space, and we have secured a location within the same office park. This new location will afford us a more workable, employee-friendly space and allow us to consolidate our external storage to on-site locations. This new lease will not result in any increased expense to the IAAI, and the move expenses will be deducted from our first month’s rent. The NFFF are looking at adjoining space in the same building and we are hopeful that they will become our neighbors.
To facilitate this relocation, our offices will be closed August 27-31, 2010, so they can pack, move and reconnect the server and phones and set up the new offices. Our telephone and e-mail contact information will remain unchanged and mail will be forwarded to our new office site. We will update the address info in the weeks to come.
Our interim Executive Director, A.J. Wilson, has submitted his resignation. We must remember that it was never our intention (or his) that he would be here long term. We were about halfway through a three-year contract which either side could end with 90-days notice. He wanted to work with us to the point where we had achieved “a stable and sustainable organization.” He believes we have achieved that goal and we agree. His last day of service will be October 15, 2010. We are grateful for his service.
I hope you have received your July issue of the Fire and Arson Investigator magazine. I, like many others, was troubled when I read Carter Robert’s article “The Case of the Dog, Two Negative Samples, and the Arrest of Dr. Stuart Wallace” about accelerant detection canines. This editorial opinion article clearly does not represent the opinions and values of the International Association of Arson Investigators, or the fire investigation community/industry in general, as it relates to the appropriate use of accelerant detection canines. The use of accelerant detection canines has proven to be a valuable asset when utilized appropriately during the course of a fire investigation. Those agencies and organizations that are involved in the use of, training and support of canine programs have come under unfair attack by Mr. Roberts. These organizations have clearly established policies and protocols regarding the use of canines that have been accepted by the fire investigation community, and existing guidelines published in NFPA 921 regarding the appropriate use of canines clearly indicate that “positive” canine hits not backed up by laboratory confirmation should not be considered to be valid.
It is unfortunate that our journal served as a conduit for the distribution of this article. While we certainly respect the right of Mr. Roberts to voice his thoughts and opinions, this article must be viewed clearly for what it is – an opinion based article. The Executive Officers and Directors of the IAAI do not share Mr. Roberts’ opinion.
David B. Nichols, President
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Please see the note below from Chaplain Peterson. If you have had a member pass away this year please fill out the attached form and submit it to Chaplain Peterson at mike_peggy@sbcglobal.net
IAAI DEATH NOTICE IAAI Member Name: _________________________________________________
Name of Deceased (if not IAAI member): _________________________________
Relationship to IAAI Member: _________________
Date of Death: ____________________
Visitation Date/Time: __________________________
Funeral Date/Time: ____________________________
Name/Address of Service Location:__________________________________________
NEW WEBSITE AND DATABASE.
The new IAAI website and database will come on line at the beginning of 2010. There will be a number of new features including special services and resources for chapters. It will still be at the same URL IAAI@firearson.com.
MEMBERSHIP ISSUES.
A major reason for changing our database has been ongoing problems with our present database provider. This has resulted in a number of technical issues that have impacted member's efforts to renew their memberships and others efforts to join the organization. If you are aware of anyone who has experienced a problem please have them contact our membership coordinator, Tom Bourne, at thomas.bourne@firearson.com. We will solve the problem!!
NEW TRAINING CLASSES AVAILABLE
In the past year we have developed some new training classes that can be scheduled in your area either as a part of a chapter event or as a free standing regional class. Topics include Effective Investigation and Testimony, Report Writing, Vehicle Fires, Photography, and we will be unveiling a new program of Skill Assessments Practcums in 2010. If you are interested please contact the IAAI Director of Training, Deborah Bell, at deb.bell@firearson.com
IAAI FOUNDATION CHAPTER SUPPORT PROGRAM.
A number of IAAI Chapters do not have a 501c3 nonprofit corporate standing. In those cases it may be difficult for the chapter to receive corporate contributions for its events. After a trial run in Massachusetts the IAAI Foundation has set up a joint sponsorship program which will allow us to receive contributions and make them available for your event. If you are interested please contact me at aj.wilson@firearson.com.
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