The Indiana Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators

The 10th Annual Fire Investigation Confrence - 2008

August 18 - 20, 2008

The Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites.

Conference begins August 18, 2008 at 7:30 a.m.

Registration fee is $200.00
Registration fee includes hand-outs, conference manual, refreshment breaks, lunch and certificate of completion.

Click here for a printable information document (includes mail-in registration form).

To make hotel reservations call the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites, 8787 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240 at 317-846-2700 or 800-325-3535. To receive a discounted room rate, identify yourself with the IAAI and register before July 21, 2008.

There are several ways to register:

• Complete and mail or fax the registration form included in the printable information document.
• Register online at the Indiana Fire Instructors Association website.
• Call the Indiana Fire Instructors Association at 800-235-0282 or (812) 941-9912.

The Lawrence William Tuck Fire Investigator of the Year Award will be presented during the conference.
Click here for information on this award.

The CFI test will be administered during the conference.
All information must be turned in by July 15th to be able to take the test at the conference.
Click here for more information on the CFI test.

Agenda

Monday, August 18, 2008

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Instructors: James Shinsky, Keith Fowler, Jamie Novak and Joseph Toscano

James Shinsky - Jim is a senior fire investigator for the Fire Investigation Division of Kerby, Bailey and Associates (KB&A), a professional investigation and security consulting firm that is a member of The Rehmann Group.

During his 25-year career with the Michigan State Police, Jim built an exemplary record in fire, explosion, and fraud investigation. Jim headed the Investigative Resources Unit of the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division and was responsible for development and delivery of statewide fire and fraud investigation training programs, investigator certifications, and major case investigations.

He is a Certified Fire Investigator of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI-CFI) and A Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator by the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Jim has taught classes for the IAAI, as well as community college courses in law enforcement and fire service. He has also testified as an expert in fire investigation, origin and cause determination in both criminal and civil courts, as well as provided testimony at depositions and before a Federal Grand Jury.

Keith Fowler - Mr. Fowler established Western Canadian Mechanical Investigations in 1986 to provide vehicle and equipment fire investigation services to the insurance industry. Over the years, the company's client base has expanded to include major automotive companies, equipment manufacturers, legal firms and various other related industries. Mr. Fowler also conducts mechanical failure analysis such as sudden accelerations, unintended airbag deployments, and brake failures.

Mr. Fowler is a Certified Fire Investigator (I.A.A.I.), a Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (N.A.F.I.), a Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (N.A.F.I.), a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigation (N.A.F.I.) a Canadian Certified Fire Investigator (C.A.F.I.), a Certified Mechanical Engineering Technologist (ASET) and a Chartered Insurance Professional. He is also a Canadian licensed mechanic and is A.S.E certified.

He is an executive board member of the FIAA, a member of the I.A.A.I., the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists, the National Association of Fire Investigators and the Canadian Association of Fire Investigators. He has been qualified in court as an expert both in Canada and the United States. He has also lectured at numerous seminars in Canada and the United States.

Mr. Fowler appeared as a fire expert on the CBC Market Place and CNN television shows. He has investigated in excess of 3000 fires and 3500 mechanical failures.

Jamie Novak - Jamie Novak has 27 years in the fire service. He is a full time fire investigator with the St. Paul Fire Department for the last 12 plus years, and former Chief Fire Investigator of St. Paul Fire Department until budget cuts in 1998. He was a former Deputy State Fire Marshal Investigator for the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office and their training coordinator of the fire investigation courses for 11 plus years.

Mr. Novak was originally from Golden Valley Fire Department, where he started as a Volunteer Firefighter and then was hired as a part-time Fire Inspector and then fulltime before being hired by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's office. He was the President of the MN Chapter of the IAAI for 12 plus years, and former board member of the IAAI. He is a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI). He is also licensed as a private Fire investigator with the MN Private Detectives board.

He started his business Novak Investigations in 2000 conducting fire investigations for insurance companies, attorneys and manufactures. He has burned approximately 80+ houses and blown up 7 houses and 14 cubicles, and conducted numerous test burns for a total of 900 plus burns.

Joseph Toscano - Joe has been involved in all aspects of the field of fire investigation and cause management the past twenty five years. He is an internationally known lecturer and author on effective investigation techniques and solutions for the Insurance industry, Law Enforcement, Fire Service and Legal. His expertise includes Fire Origin and Cause, Large Loss Investigation Management, Curriculum Development, Claim Division and SIU Training, Subrogation and Fraud Investigation.

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