275 attend 59th Fire & Arson Investigators Seminar in Austin

AUSTIN – The 59th Texas IAAI Fire & Arson Investigators Seminar in Austin drew 275 attendees on March 16-21 to learn more about fire-cause determination, arson investigation and prosecution.

It was the second largest attendance in the 59-year history of the seminar, said Program Manager Harvie Cheshire with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

Attendees were welcomed by State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy, Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr and Chris Barron, Executive Director of the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association. Ben Kennedy of TEEX served as the master of ceremonies.

The most popular class during the conference was “Burn Patterns,” which was presented by Mike Marquardt of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Other seminar topics included Motor Vehicle Fires, Arc Mapping, Interviews and Interrogations, Evidence Collection and Investigating Fire Service Fatalities.

The Texas chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) presented awards for accomplishments in arson prevention at a ceremony on March 20.

The seminar is the top fire and arson investigation conference in the state, and participants are eligible for CEU credits.

The next Fire & Arson Investigators Seminar will be held March 15-20, 2015.